In this, one of the best documentaries made in South Africa, we follow the journeys of three men from the moment of their release from Robben Island to a painful and often contradictory freedom. They are Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim, James Mange and Clement Zulu.

In this deeply moving, still heart-breaking film each man reveals how his sense of self changes upon release, as he encounters friends, family, loves and the new South Africa. “I wanted to pay tribute and give exposure to these ordinary heroes who paid the price of imprisonment. They could so easily be overlooked as they were reabsorbed into the mass of unemployed South Africans. I also wanted to debunk the media images of political prisoners—terrorists, hard-bitten politicos, tough, skilled and wily political fighters”.

I wanted to pay tribute and give exposure to these ordinary heroes who paid the price of imprisonment. They could so easily be overlooked as they were reabsorbed into the mass of unemployed South Africans. I also wanted to debunk the media images of political prisoners – terrorists, hard bitten politicos, touch skinned and wily political fighters.

Liz Fish, Director