alexxchiodo This film follows the tragic story about a girl named Sandra Laing attempting to define who she is as a person during the repressive time of apartheid. Born into a white family, yet having a dark skin tone, commonly referred to scientifically as polygenetic inheritance, Sandra is constantly questioning her sense of identity and belonging amongst people that, supposedly, love her. The film powerfully encapsulates this woman's struggle throughout her arduous life, and as a viewer leaves you inspired by her courage and effort to simply live a happy and liberated life. In essence, it's a tragic yet inspiring story that should be heard and acknowledged by all people.

[email protected] This story about a dark-skinned girl born to white Afrikaners during the apartheid era will come as a revelation to anyone who has forgotten what South Africa was like before the transformation brought about by Nelson Mandela and his colleagues. Not that South Africa is out of the jungle of racial conflict; it certainly isn't. But one hopes that the fate inflicted on Sandra Liang because of her color could happen today. The story is gripping. The direction and the photography are efficient. The two best known actors in this film, Sophie Okenado ( Rawanda) and Sam Neill, are excellent as the adult Sandra and her Afrikaner father. But other unfamiliar players are also very good

ihrtfilms Set during the Apartheid era in South Africa, this film tells the story of Sandra Laing who is born black to white parents and spends much of her life fighting to be recognized. As a young school girl she is placed in a whites only school, yet is frowned upon; her parents don't 'see' her as black, even here birth certificate states she is white. But people see her differently and soon she is thrown from the school. As an older teenager she starts dating, with her parents choosing white men for her to see, but she is attracted to a young black man, whom she eventually falls in love with.The story is tragic on so many levels. Sandra is treated so differently by everyone, including her family. She is classed as white, but is black and because of laws she is not allowed to marry a black man or go to buy a dress in a white's shop. The levels of racism are so multilayered, it's disturbing. Her father refuses to let her see a black man and threatens to kill him, he wants her to 'be' white. Racism towards one's own child tears the family apart and she settles down with Petrus and has children, but her estrangement from her family and especially her mother haunts her and this becomes a source hatred for Petrus, who thinks she is betraying him by longing to be with her white family. Racism upon racism.The film is a well acted, beautifully shot one that portrays a singular life of despair among an era of despicable human behaviour. Towards the end it becomes quite moving as change sweeps a new South Africa and Sandra tries to reunite with her estranged family and makes you hope that events such as those never occur again.More of my reviews at iheartfilms.weebly.com

LilMsDivaU This is a great film that is based on the true story of Sandra Liang in South Africa. Sandra, who has dark skin, was born to two white parents in the heat of the apartheid. She struggles to define herself against the classifications of society. Her dad, who is racist, causes strain on her own self discovery, and strains her relationship with her mother as well. The film chronicles her adventures at an all white school, as well as her marriage to a black man, although she is "white". Her journey is intriguing. The film itself makes you question the race-labeling system.It is a great film that will raise questions and spark intriguing debates on what it means to be black.