His Big White Self

His Big White Self is an impressive, informative, and user-friendly documentary film directed and produced by Nick Broomfield in 2006. This thought-provoking movie focuses on the surviving voices and experiences of apartheid in South Africa. Among other prominent characters, the film prominently features such noteworthy figures as F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela, providing a multifaceted view of South Africa's turbulent political history and the enduring legacy of apartheid.

The film is a follow-up to Broomfield's 1991 film, The Leader, His Driver, and the Driver's Wife, which focused more on the life of a far-right leader, Eugene Terre'Blanche, of the Afrikaner Resistance Movement in South Africa during apartheid times. Through his reappearance, His Big White Self continues to dissect the implications of colonial apartheid, unraveling the intricate power dynamics and individual perspectives that proliferated under the system.

In His Big White Self, Broomfield successfully delves back into the heart of the stubbornly racially divided nation and poses complex questions regarding identity, escalating violence, and persisting prejudices. His approach is humanistic and deeply personal; engaging the viewer through intimate conversations, interviews, and first-hand narratives from those who experienced apartheid from different perspectives.

F.W. de Klerk, the last State President of apartheid-era South Africa, is one of the key figures within the film. His presence serves to engage the viewer in the political mechanisms of apartheid – his reflections offer rare insights into the motivations, tactics, and legacies of the white South African government. This is contrasted with the charismatic symbol of perseverance and peace, Nelson Mandela, who epitomized the struggle for justice and equality in South Africa. These two contrasting figures become the faces of a fractured nation's past and its uncertain future.

Eugene Terre'Blanche, Broomfield's original subject, is also reintroduced. He remains a contentious figure whose strident nationalism and vision of an exclusively white state adds a poignant dimension to our understanding of the deeply entrenched attitudes underpinning apartheid. Terre'Blanche's supporters, as well as his critics, are profiled, fostering a multifaceted understanding of a man whose views now reside in the minority.

At its core, His Big White Self uses these figures to explore notions of identity, nationalism, and reconciliation. The film's title uses the term "self" to encapsulate the contradiction of a nation wrestling with its identity – who are the true South Africans, and how comfortably do they inhabit a pluralistic, post-apartheid state?

Broomfield's filmmaking style is immersive and investigative, allowing the audience to accompany him on a gripping journey of exploration and understanding. His candid interactions with the film's subjects establish a tense but truthful atmosphere, creating an avenue for viewers to engage with the haunting legacy of apartheid.

In closing, His Big White Self is an enlightening, exploratory documentary that paints a raw and realistic image of the long-lasting impacts of apartheid in South Africa. Filled with interviews of historical figures, personal narratives, and a holistic exploration of the consequences of institutionalized racism, the film serves as a compelling historical document in addition to being an engaging cinematic experience. It is essential viewing for those seeking insights into one of the most volatile eras of modern history and its profound influence on contemporary South Africa.