A summer picnic becomes a powder keg in Frears' blistering debut — 32 minutes of pure dread.
Stephen Frears’ first film, "The Burning" is a chilling exploration of racial tensions in Apartheid-era South Africa. On a sweltering summer’ day, a wealthy white matriarch insists on taking her household on a planned trip to the country, in spite of their urgent warnings that an uprising is underway.
Direction
Frears' debut already shows his genius for unbearable tension.
Acting
Davies' matriarch weaponizes politeness like a knife.
Director
Stephen Frears
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Frears was 27 and this was filmed on leftover 35mm stock from a cancelled project.
Banned in South Africa until 1994; British critics largely ignored its political teeth, calling it 'atmospheric.'
US
