Welcome to the Human Race

'Welcome to the Human Race' (Wed 25 Dec at 14:00) is a film about pain, injustice, forgiveness and ultimately the essential humanity that, despite everything, should bind us together. Director Betty Wolpert revisits those people whose suffering under apartheid was documented in her 1986 film 'Mama I´m Crying' and explores their feelings now about the past, present and future of the New South Africa. We witness the quiet anger and profound need of these people to express the fact that their hurt is still there, even after the elections, even after the Government of National Unity. Unless the pain of the past is acknowledged, there is no hope of true reconciliation and lasting peace. The family of Benjy Oliphant, one of the many young heroes who was brutally murdered by the apartheid police, are determined that justice should be done and hope to take their case to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The film ends with an extraordinary meeting, between two families – one white and one black – who share their grief over the loss of their children. The blast that killed the 7-year old was planted by the 18-year old black teenager who was executed for the act.