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Otelo Burning

Play trailer Poster for Otelo Burning 2011 1h 12m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
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.

Critics Reviews

View All (9) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (3) audience reviews
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 Read all reviews
Otelo Burning

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Otelo Burning

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Movie Info

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