‘Cry Freedom’s’ South Africa Debut Delayed

The international distributor of the anti-apartheid film “Cry Freedom” said Tuesday that it is postponing the movie’s South African premiere, originally set for April 8, until the minister of justice gives his approval.

“Our lawyers said we would be open to prosecution under the Internal Security Act if we exhibited the film without the prior consent of the minister of justice,” said Peter Dignan, managing director of United International Pictures, the distributor in South Africa. “We have approached the minister and we are now waiting for some form of response.”

A spokesman in the Ministry of Justice declined comment except to say that the department may issue a statement today. It did not appear, however, that the statement would reveal the department’s decision on the film.

“Cry Freedom” had been cleared in November by South African government censors for showing without cuts or restrictions. But since that decision, several government officials have pointed out that distributors of the film could still be prosecuted under the Internal Security Act, which prohibits the publication of anything said by a “banned” person.

The film, directed by Richard Attenborough, portrays the life and death of Black Consciousness movement leader Steve Biko and his friendship with Donald Woods, a liberal white newspaper editor. Woods remains a banned person under South African law, and none of his writings or statements may legally be quoted here. Biko also was a banned person at the time of his death.

United International--a foreign movie distribution company that’s co-owned by Universal Pictures, MGM/UA Communications Co. and Gulf & Western’s Paramount Pictures--said in a statement issued Tuesday that the ministers of law and order, interior and communications, and justice had screened the film separately in early March.

United International said it needed a decision by mid-March to allow it time to meet its scheduled release date of April 8. But the Ministry of Justice said it needed more time to review the matter. A week later, UIP decided to postpone the release here indefinitely.

“We earnestly wish to show this film to all audiences throughout the country,” the distribution company said in its statement. “That decision is clearly in the hands of the South African government.”

Attenborough is scheduled to attend the film’s premiere on April 13 in nearby Mbabane, Swaziland. “Cry Freedom” has been showing for several months in Zimbabwe, where it was filmed.