The whites ban all black opposition organisations, forcing their leaders into exile or, like Nelson Mandela, imprisoning them for life on Robben Island. Like most white Afrikaners, James Gregory regards blacks as inferior, lowerclass citizens, despite the fact that he grew up also speaking their tribal tongue on a farm in the Transkei. Due to his proficiency with the Xhosa language, he is the ideal choice to become the warder in charge of Nelson Mandela and his comrades at Robben Island.

After all, by speaking their language, he can spy on them without them ever knowing it. However the plan ultimately backfires. With Mandela’s influence, Gregory slowly be - comes aware of the injustices and crimes of his own people. Despite everything he was taught to believe about the blacks and even his wife’s pleas for him to stay away from their cause, Gregory’s allegiance gradually shifts from the racist government to the struggle for a free South Africa.

Bille August: Born in Brede on 19.11.1948, he took up studies at the film school in Copenhagen in 1971. A cinematographer on films for theatrical release as well as for TV, he made his debut as a director in 1978. Of his films for young people, the 1989 work, PELLE EROBREREN was showered with accolades, including an Oscar for best Foreign-Lan guage Film. He has enjoyed huge success in Europe with his films THE HOUSE OF SPIRITS (1993) and the 1997 adaptation, SMILLA’S SENSE OF SNOW, when, since he is regarded as one of Scandinavia’s most distinguished directors.