Red Dust

Red Dust is the title of a 2004 movie with Hilary Swank that deals with the aftermath of aparteid in South Africa, espeicially the role Truth and Reconciliation Commission in trying to heal the wounds of the countries racial divide.

I thought it was really good, telling me some things I did not know in an interesting story dealing with moral and ethical issues. The acting was fine, and there were twists that while not totally unseen, still left me unsure of where the movie was going.

One thing I was really glad about is they left out the seemingly obligatory love story and sex scene. They could easily have gone that was considering what we find out about Swank's character. But it would have diluted, and even mocked, the premise of the film I think, and I am so grateful they left it out. You know some exec was pushing for it. Maybe that is why it did not get wider release and publicity. No car chase, no sex, no love story, not even much shooting---why should we budget publicty for that?