Otelo Burning

2011

1h 12m

Drama

List

67%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

Otelo discovers an amazing talent as a surfer and is thrust into a glamorous world of money and women until his brother Ntwe is murdered. He faces a terrible choice -- to stay a star or get revenge.

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Farran Smith Nehme

New York Post

Somehow, mostly through the impassioned performances of its young actors, the film finds its footing in the third act ...

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 30, 2012

Full Review

Joel Arnold

NPR

A heavy-handed but forceful coming-of-age story set circa 1989, against the backdrop of the violent beginning of apartheid's end ...

Nov 29, 2012

Full Review

Joe Neumaier

New York Daily News

This crisp, involving South African drama comes at you in waves, changing course and tone expertly.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 29, 2012

Full Review

Marsha McCreadie

Film Journal International

As buoyant as the waves its heroes surf on, Otelo Burning uses water as metaphor for freedom for its black South African teens in 1988.

Nov 30, 2012

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

A movie in which there is nothing but its unsentimental look at the waning days of apartheid to make it seem unlike a dozen other inspirational sports movies.

Rated: 5/10

Oct 13, 2012

Full Review

Clay Cane

BET.com

A memorable story about kids who hold bigger dreams than what they are told and taught they could accomplish.

Rated: B

Sep 24, 2012

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Audience Member

Amazing film with lessons for every age about choices, myths and discovering the real meaning of freedom! You'll want to see it over and over! The cinematography is breathtaking, and authentically captures an important time in history while entertaining.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This was a great movie! A true coming of age story unfolding in the waters of South Africa's surf scene during the Apartheid era. What I like about the film is that it shows that some kids did 'normal' things that all kids do in the background of a brutal system like apartheid - and how apartheid got in the way of their dreams, consuming everyone. Captivating film....

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A-mazing! Incredible performances by amateur actors in a heartfelt and elegantly simple story that will give teens a window into what it was like to be a young person in South Africa during the Apartheid.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

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Sara Blecher

Director

Jafta Mamabolo

Otelo

Tshepang Mohlomi

Ntwe

Thomas Gumede

New Year

Nolwazi Shange

Dezi

Sihle Xaba

Mandla Modise

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Synopsis

Otelo discovers an amazing talent as a surfer and is thrust into a glamorous world of money and women until his brother Ntwe is murdered. He faces a terrible choice -- to stay a star or get revenge.

Director: Sara Blecher
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 14, 2014
Runtime: 1h 12m

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