Cry freedom; South Africa

Worksheet n°1

Séquence : Cry freedom; South Africa

With the film Cry Freedom and other documents, you will have the opportunity to explore South Africa’s history at one of its most crucial and terrible era: the time of the Apartheid.

Landmarks:

   ☞Get to know South Africa. Get the facts about its land, products and people.

❶ Focus on the word South Africa. What do you think of? Complete the mind map

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❷ Read the text then color the flag:

The Republic of South Africa's flag (sometimes called the "rainbow flag") is a sideways green "Y" and also has areas of red, blue, black, yellow, and white. The black triangle (between the two arms of the "Y") is the hoist side (the side where it attaches to the flag pole). This flag was adopted on April 27, 1994.

The "Y" on the flag symbolizes the union of many groups of people in South Africa. The many colors represent the rainbow of people in South Africa.

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Worksheet n°2

Séquence : Cry freedom;South Africa

Landmarks:

   ☞Get to know South Africa. Get the facts about its land, products and people.

❸ Quiz: What do you know about South Africa?

1) How many official languages does South Africa have?

        □ more than 20

        □ 11

        □ 2

2) What is Apartheid?

        □ South Africa’s Parliament

        □ A political system of racial segregation

        □ A popular dish in South Africa

3) When was South Africa’s first election in which all people (black & white) could vote?

        □ 1910

        □ 1948

        □ 1994

4) What is the capital city of South Africa?

        □ Johannesburg

        □ Pretoria

        □ Soweto

5) Nelson Mandela formed which activist group?

        □ Students for Peace

        □ The International Peace Corporation

        □ The African National Congress

6) Who were the first Europeans to settle in South Africa?

        □ Portuguese

        □ Dutch

        □ british

7) What type of currency is used in South Africa?

        □ Rand

        □ African dollar

        □ Euro

8) South Africa is the world’s largest producer of what?

        □ Diamonds

        □ Gold

        □ Wheat

Worksheet n°3

Séquence : Cry freedom;South Africa

Preview work on the film CRY FREEDOM from Richard Attenborough

Synopsis :

This film is the story of a friendship between two men whose lives and backgrounds are totally opposed. They are going to know, to respect and to admire each other. The two main characters are : a journalist named Woods and a black activist called Biko.

        The story is centered on the political evolution of Woods. At the beginning, he appears as a typical white South African, living in luxury. It looks as if he accepts things as they are. Gradually, he opens his eyes, he becomes aware of the reality and decides to take action : he defies the system.

South African newspaper editor and anti-apartheid activist Donald Woods, who gained international recognition with this film, died at the age of 67 on August 2001.

Denzel Washington plays Biko, a former student leader who founded the Black Consciousness Movement in 1969 and gave up medical studies to devote himself to the struggle. Biko’s message inspired a generation. He is portrayed in the film as a charismatic leader in the model of Martin Luther King (USA).

❶ Who are the film’s main characters ? What’s particular about them,

❷ Where does the film take place ? What was the political situation in the country ?

❸ What kind of film do you expect ?

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Worksheet n°4

Séquence : Cry freedom;South Africa

Introduction

1) A township near Cape Town :

        - at first, we can see :…………………………………………………………………………………

        - general impression :…………………………………………………………………………………

        - then we can see :……………………………………………………………………………………

        - we can hear :………………………………………………………………………………………..

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