Shepherds and Butchers

Shepherds and Butchers is a 2016 South African drama film directed by Oliver Schmitz. It was shown in the Panorama section at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival.[1] It is an adaptation of the debut novel of the same name by Chris Marnewick, a New Zealand-based author and former South African High Court barrister and judge.[2]

Shepherds and Butchers
Film poster
Directed byOliver Schmitz
Written byOliver Schmitz
Screenplay byBrian Cox
StarringAndrea Riseborough
Release date
  • 13 February 2016 (2016-02-13) (Berlin)
Running time
103 minutes
CountrySouth Africa
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Nearing the end of apartheid in South Africa, a young white prison guard (Garion Dowds) embarks on a seemingly motiveless shooting that sees to the death of seven unarmed black men. A British-born lawyer assigned to his case (Steve Coogan) sets out to prove his actions were a direct result of psychological trauma from his volatile work environment. The defense attorney is an ardent opponent of the death penalty.

Cast
  • Steve Coogan as John Weber - Defence attorney
  • Andrea Riseborough as Kathleen Marais - Prosecutor
  • Garion Dowds as Leon Labuschagne - Defendant
  • Deon Lotz as Warrant Officer Rautenbach - Prison officer
  • Marcel van Heerden as Justice J. P. van Zyl - Chief Judge
  • Robert Hobbs as Pierre De Villiers - John's Brother-in-law

Awards

The film received third place in the Panorama Audience Award at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival.[3]

References
  1. "Berlinale 2016: Panorama 2016 Complete". Berlinale. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  2. "The dark shadow of the death penalty". The New Zealand Herald. 28 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  3. "The Awards Of The 66th Berlin International Film Festival" (PDF). Berlinale.
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