The Black Christ

This sobering slice of South African art history confirms the power of art to challenge repressive regimes, and the brutal response to freedom of expression that is the knee jerk reaction of the oppressors. In 1962 Ronald Harrison painted an image of ANC leader Albert Luthuli as the crucified Christ. His lurking, smirking persecutors in centurion garb are Hendrik Verwoerd and former Minister of Justice, John Vorster. The mild mannered and soft spoken Harrison did not anticipate the rage and revenge this, obviously, powerful image would unleash. Interrogation, torture and a life of fear at the hands of the apartheid police ensued. The film reminds us of an invaluable piece of South African history and honours a man who paid dearly for a freedom we now take for granted.

Courtesy of the Director