Performances are the driving force of “The Bang Bang Club,” a true story set in the closing days of apartheid in 1994 in Soweto, South Africa. Four daring photojournalists come upon the civil war-torn scene, each trying to outdo the other with the best pics. They’re referred to as the film’s title because the shutterbugs are in the middle of the action and trying to evade the bullets whizzing around them. The film focuses on the war-ravaged land and details a character-driven study of the men’s personal lives. The quartet of gung ho photogs consists of Ryan Phillippe, memorable as fledgling Greg Marinovich, who’s new to the game and romancing his editor, Robin Comley (Malin Akerman). In a touching portrayal, sadly, Taylor Kitsch’s Kevin Carter is a drug addict. Rounding out the foursome of fellow photojournalists is Frank Rautenbach as Ken Oosterbroek and Neels Van Jaarsveld’s Joao Silva in the politically-themed drama.
Director-screenwriter Steven Silver is an award winning South African documentary filmmaker who bases his debut feature film on Greg Marinovich and Joao Silva’s Pulitzer Prize winning book.
Image Source: The Cultureist
