DISGRACE
The Story:
David Lurie (John Malkovich), is an edgy 52 year old divorced white South African professor teaching the romantic poets when he befriends a student (Antoinette Engel) and they begin an affair. She is uneasy about the relationship and there is clearly an imbalance of power. David is disciplined by the university and is forced to resign. He is unrepentant about fulfilling his desires.
David, disgraced and banished from the university, arrives at the remote farm where his daughter Lucy (Jessica Haines) lives and works as a market gardener.He finds her living alone, but in a business partnership with Petrus a black farmer, who has settled adjoining land.
While staying with Lucy, David helps out at the voluntary animal clinic, mostly helping destroy unwanted dogs. He becomes involved with Lucy's friend Bev (Fiona Press), a middle-aged woman who runs the clinic.
When Petrus is away, they are attacked by three youths. Lucy is raped and they are robbed. David suspects that Petrus is involved and soon it is revealed that one of the attackers is related to Petrus' wife.
David draws a dubious moral distinction between this shocking act and his own misdeeds. He is indignant. The attack becomes a point of tension between him and his daughter. Lucy refuses to talk about it with him, or to take legal action against the perpetrators.
David urges Lucy to prosecute her attacker, but Lucy wants to make peace with her community and wants the protection of Petrus and his family. She has become pregnant as a result of the rape and chooses to have the child.
David gains insight into his abuse of power and visits the family of the student with whom he had the affair. He seeks their forgiveness.
Lucy makes an arrangement with Petrus and she becomes his tenant in return for his alliance and protection. David moves into the township and continues his work with the animal clinic. He accepts Lucy's compromise.
Starring:
John Malkovic, Jessica Haines, Eriq Ebouaney, Fiona Press, Antoinette Engel, Natalie Becker
Directed By:
Steve Jacobs
Release:
2008
Watch the Trailer:
