Who Played Me in "Cry Freedom"? Quiz

Answer: Kevin Kline

Kline, born on October 24th, 1947 in St. Louis, Missouri was cast as Donald Woods. Donald worked for a newspaper called "The Daily Dispatch" and was surprised to see his co-worker, Ken, bring him some pictures he got when police raided a village in South Africa.

He asked him how he got them, so Ken told him he simply had his own ways of getting photos of that caliber. Donald accepted the photos to help publish a story for the newspaper and informed Ken he could get a byline on the story. Ken joked that if he ever got in trouble for getting those pictures that he would blame Donald. Ken then asked Donald about Steve Biko, since his name had been brought up everywhere. So Donald instructed Ken to only get the police side of the story regarding the raid while he would deal with Steve Biko.

Despite Donald disagreeing with much of Steve Biko's politics, the two of them became good friends. Kline starred in the movies, "Wild Wild West", "In & Out" and "Sophie's Choice". In 1989, he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the movie, "A Fish Called Wanda".

Other Oscar nominees for Best Supporting Actor that year were Alec Guinness for "Little Dorrit", Martin Landau for "Tucker: The Man and His Dream", River Phoenix for "Running on Empty" and Dean Stockwell for "Married to the Mob".

Answer: Josette Simon

Simon, a native of Leicestershire, England played Dr. Ramphele. Dr. Ramphele was first seen working at a hospital, tending to a baby who had been injured in a raid. Shortly after this, she went to "The Daily Dispatch" where Donald Woods worked and asked a woman there who was responsible for writing a demeaning story against Steve Biko.

The woman took Dr. Ramphele into Donald Woods' office so both could discuss the contents of the article. Dr. Ramphele told Donald she'd read enough from the newspaper to know it had credibility to it, so she was surprised at how the article was passed off as reasonable journalism. Donald retorted to her that he felt he did nothing wrong, since he wanted to speak out against what he felt was prejudice against white people in South Africa.

He told Dr. Ramphele he would not support writing articles justifying what he felt was prejudice from black people perpetuated by Steve Biko. Dr. Ramphele claimed she knew Steve well enough to realize the way he was portrayed by Donald's writing was an inaccurate assessment of his views. Simon guest starred on the TV series', "The Squad", "Bodyguards" and "The Whistleblowers".

Answer: Juanita Waterman

Waterman portrayed Ntsiki Biko, Steve's wife, in "Cry Freedom". When Donald Woods first went to go visit Steve at a church, in order to interview him, Ntsiki recognized him and said that Steve had been awaiting him. Ntsiki told Donald that they wanted to try and transform the church into a community center where black people could meet. Ntsiki stated that another objective towards the center's transformation would be incorporating an educational curriculum. Donald asked Ntsiki who the little boy was, who was walking alongside them and she mentioned he was hers and Steve's son. Ntsiki then opened up a back door of the church and mentioned to Donald he could locate Steve out there. Waterman had roles in the films, "The Fourth Protocol" and "American Roulette".

In 1987, she starred in the TV film, "Mandela".

Answer: Denzel Washington

Washington, born in 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York landed the role of Steve Biko. Steve had been ordered by the South African government to remain in King William's Town since he had been banned from participation in anti-apartheid activities throughout the country.

When Donald sought him out to learn more about his story, Steve mentioned he would have spoken with him in the church except he was ordered to only be with one person at a time. Steve mentioned to Donald that the police across the street from the church kept a constant watch on him. Steve asked Donald if he approved of his banning but Donald reassured him that he opposed that directive from the government, despite believing Steve's ideas were dangerous. Steve spoke on how hesitant he was to tell his story about black salvation to a white journalist who had benefits like housing, education and employment. Steve took a jab at Donald's liberal views, to which Donald joked about what kind of liberal Steve would make had the conditions in South Africa been reversed for black and white South Africans.

In an integral scene, Steve took Donald to a visit of a township in South Africa for him to witness, first hand, the degradation imposed by the South African government against the black people. This was when Donald slowly but surely warmed up to Steve's desires for a South Africa offering the same opportunities to black people that the white people had. Steve Biko died on September 12th, 1977 while in police custody. Washington was seen in the movies, "Remember the Titans", "John Q" and "The Manchurian Candidate" (2004). In 1988, he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for "Cry Freedom" but lost to Sean Connery for "The Untouchables". Other Oscar nominees for Best Supporting Actor were Albert Brooks for "Broadcast News", Morgan Freeman for "Street Smart" and Vincent Gardenia for "Moonstruck".

Answer: Penelope Wilton

Wilton, born on June 3rd, 1946 in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England was cast as Wendy Woods. Wendy watched her children swim in her backyard pool for one scene when she was thrilled to see her husband, Donald Woods, back home. They spoke about his interview with Steve Biko, while monitoring their children to ensure they did not hurt themselves while swimming. Donald told Wendy that Steve was a doctor at a clinic before the South African government banned him, so she asked him how they managed to afford the clinic. Donald said to Wendy that the community raised money to help assure the clinic's vitality, primarily through churches.

He also stated that the mining companies donated money to the clinic from time to time. Wendy commented that she was shocked South African mining companies would help finance an impoverished medical clinic. Wilton starred in the films, "Pride and Prejudice" (2005), "Shaun of the Dead" and "Blame It on the Bellboy".

Answer: Kevin McNally

McNally, a native of Bristol, England played Ken. Ken worked at "The Daily Dispatch" with Donald, and it was while he was doing a little reading there one day that Donald introduced him to Tenjy and Mapetla. He said to Ken that he met them a couple weeks before, when he went on a tour of King William's Town.

He told Ken that Tenjy and Mapetla would be working at "The Daily Dispatch" so Ken asked him in which department the two would be employed. Once Donald responded the two had jobs in the newsroom, Ken looked puzzled and wanted to know if Steve Biko influenced Donald in making his hiring decisions. Donald told Ken to put aside any feelings he had and give both Tenjy and Mapetla a chance. Donald told Ken they could increase the newspaper's circulation with Tenjy and Mapetla helping write stories on black consciousness but Ken said that likely would upset their white readers. Nevertheless, Donald told Ken he called the shots on what made the news at "The Daily Dispatch". McNally played the character of Gibbs in the movies, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl", "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End".

Answer: Wabei Siyolwe

Siyolwe portrayed Tenjy in "Cry Freedom". Tenjy lived in King Williams Town and heard Donald claim he disliked what the South African government did to the town and that he and other liberals wanted to integrate society. Tenjy told him that he seemed to be wanting her and the black community to get slightly better education if it meant they were to get slightly better jobs. Donald said, as she walked away, that could happen at first if only for the black community to gain further resources to further their education and employment opportunities.

In Tenjy's next scene, she and Mapetla walked through the office at "The Daily Dispatch" since Donald, in his role as Editor in Chief, hired them. Later on, Tenjy was unlawfully detained by the South African police, much to Donald and Steve's disgust. Siyolwe starred in the 1990 film, "Nuns on the Run".

In 1988, she appeared on the TV show, "Scene", in a guest starring role.

Answer: John Matshikiza

Matshikiza, born in 1954 in Johannesburg, South Africa landed the role of Mapetla. Mapetla spoke to Donald about how his desire, as well as that of the black people, was to one day sit at the white peoples' tables to use their china and silverware. He smiled by saying he would hope that the black people using them appropriately would mean they could stay with white people. Mapetla then mentioned they wanted to help the white people clean their tables as a sense of solidarity.

In Mapetla's final scene, he was apprehended by the South African people and reported to have hung himself in his cell. Matshikiza had roles in the movies, "Shake Hands with the Devil", "Woman of Desire" and "The Air Up There".

Answer: Kate Hardie

Hardie was cast as Jane Woods in "Cry Freedom". Jane was one of Don and Wendy's six children, who attended the funeral of Steve Biko. After the funeral, Jane entered her mom's bedroom to let her know she was having trouble sleeping. Jane mentioned she heard the phone ring so she asked her mom if they received anymore threats for supporting Steve Biko. Jane suggested that they put a tape recorder on their phone to therefore put in print the type of threats they got, but Wendy said that might not be such a good idea due to censorship laws. Jane then said she would be heading downstairs to make some coffee. Wendy yelled at her daughter to stay in her room as she heard a disturbing noise. Jane started to ask her mom who was there but Wendy demanded she be quiet. Jane and her mother jumped once they heard gunshots. Hardie guest starred on the TV shows, "Alleyn Mysteries", "Boon" and "Me and My Girl".

Answer: Zakes Mokae

Mokae, born on August 5th, 1934 in Johannesburg, South Africa played Father Kani. Father Kani was first seen talking to Donald about his people's plight, once Donald visited King Williams Town. Father Kani, as a friend of the Biko family, supported them by attending Steve Biko's memorial. Shortly after this, Father Kani met with Donald Woods and a couple of Donald's friends to discuss an investigation into Steve's death. Donald said he would do some traveling to aid in his story on Steve's death.

He did not fear being arrested, so Father Kani warned him that would be an easier feat if he was a lawyer. Father Kani stated that Donald was going as an investigative journalist who could face serious harm if he even mentioned Steve Biko's name. After Donald was banned by the South African government, he met with Father Kani, who advised him to destroy what he wrote about Steve's murder or relocate elsewhere with the manuscript. Kaye was seen in the films, "Waterworld", "Outbreak" and "Vampire in Brooklyn".