Kai Luke Brummer is amazing as a closeted man in 1981 South Africa in “Moffie.” This is a queer love story that is at once heartfelt and heartbreaking. Here’s the official synopsis of “Moffie”:
“The year is 1981 and South Africa’s white minority government is embroiled in a conflict on the southern Angolan border. Like all white boys over the age of 16, Nicholas Van der Swart must complete two years of compulsory military service to defend the apartheid regime. The threat of communism and “die swart gevaar” (the so-called black danger) is at an all-time high. But that’s not the only danger Nicholas faces. He must survive the brutality of the army — something that becomes even more difficult when a connection is sparked between him and a fellow recruit.”
Check out my interview with Brummer as he talks about his interest in the character, working with Hermanus, and the queer angle of the film.
Writer/director Oliver Hermanus creates a taut drama based on the book by Andre Carl van der Merwe. I spoke with Hermanus about the formation of the film, two scenes of racism and homophobia, and what he hopes for viewers to get after watching the film.
“Moffie” opens in select theaters and on-demand from IFC Films April 9.
