Moffie

Synopsis:

Nicholas has long known he is different, that something shameful and unacceptable in him must stay hidden and denied. But South Africa’s minority government are embroiled in conflict at the Angolan border and all white young men over 16 must serve two years of compulsory military service to defend the Apartheid regime and its culture of toxic racist machismo. The ‘black danger’ is the real and present threat; what is wrong with Nicholas and others like him can be rooted out, treated, and cured like cancer. But just when fear pushes Nicholas to accept unspeakable horrors in the hopes of staying invisible, a tender relationship with another recruit becomes as dangerous for them both as any enemy fire.

Quick Thoughts:

“Moffie” is many things: a glimpse into the strict mandatory conscription of young boys into the SADF during apartheid; haunting flashbacks that reinforce the macho-masculinity pushed by society; and an struggle with self-acceptance of being gay amidst all of that – with a glimpse of romance written into the subtext of it all. Based on the biographical novel of the same name, this queer war film is haunting – yet you cannot turn away. The novel consists of diary entries which don’t translate well onto the movie screen, leaving a lot of subtext for the viewer to interpret. And I must confess, I was hoping for more of a romance – or at least greater signs of the struggle that Nicholas goes through.

The ending teases a potentially beautiful wrap up, but in the end we are left hanging. An uncertainty that is woven throughout the film. This queer war film is not one you watch for romance, but to better understand the internal struggles of accepting one’s sexuality amid a toxic masculine environment. It’s definitely worth watching!