“Wild is the Wind” tells the story of a grizzly murder in a small town and reveals the societal and racial fault lines of South African society.
Johannesburg, South Africa (30 October 2022) – “Wild is the Wind” has just landed on Netflix… and it is getting great reviews!
Directed by Fabian Medea, and starring Phoenix Baaitse and Chris Chameleon, Wild in The Wind is an intelligent thriller which has the virtue of confronting a problem realistically while giving us a good thriller movie.
The film focuses on Vusi, a black cop in a small town in South Africa, and John, his white partner and best friend, who make a dubious decision to steal a stash of cocaine during a sex trafficking bust. Both are desperate for cash: Vusi to leave this rural town in pursuit of a better life in Joburg, and John in order to save his family farm which is facing foreclosure. After they conclude their deal with local crime lord Mongo, they are called to the scene of the murder of Melissa Van Der Walt, the 17-year-old daughter of the local butcher. Tensions simmer in the town as some white citizens jump to the conclusion that the murderer must be black. Initially, the investigation points to Melissa’s ex-boyfriend, Hennie, but when his alibi holds, Vusi and John pursue the next probable suspect, Sonnyboy, a 20-year-old black boy with a history of crime, who was dating Melissa at the time of her death.
Martin Cid, Founder and editor of MCM, says that the movie manages to rely on its strong points: a good narrative structure and compelling characterizations that have stories to tell in a secluded township that witnesses how a murder will uncover underlying issues that have quietly been sizzling under the surface.
“With its ability to tell the story, it seeks to tell, and play on “both sides”, justifying the (evident) social commentary in a thriller about conflicts, with interesting characters, and particularly, with a good screenplay. It does not stand out for its technical grandeur, being understated in that aspect, as its strengths lie elsewhere.”
“It is not a fancy production, with over-the-top special effects, its down to earth, with its social realist take, that will teleport you to this remote town.”
Meanwhile, on IMDB, Melissa Media critiqued the movie, stating that it was very intriguing from the onset.
“It kept you captivated; the subplots kept you wanting more. The name in itself captivated how wild life can be as exhibited in the film. The movie had a realistic look at society and the real issues being faced with diversity. The two Corrupt Cops essentially are good people but are faced with challenging decisions and end up making choices that affect the whole community. You see love, corruption, thriller, fear, intelligence, and mystery contained in this Film. There are religious undertones, especially listening to the songs throughout the film. Best Film of the year.”
Watch the trailer below:
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