Disgrace

Disgrace

Year: 2009

Runtime: 119 min

Language: English

Director: Steve Jacobs

Drama

As apartheid ends in Cape Town, a disgraced professor, David Lurie, seeks refuge with his daughter on a remote Eastern Cape farm. He hopes to escape the fallout from a personal scandal and find peace in the simple life. However, a violent crime disrupts the tranquility, forcing David and his daughter to confront the lingering effects of racial inequality and the complexities of forgiveness, ultimately testing his values and sense of belonging in a changing nation.

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Timeline – Disgrace (2009)

Trace every key event in Disgrace (2009) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

David's Discontent

David Lurie, an English professor, feels the weight of personal and professional failure in post-apartheid South Africa. Once a promising academic, he now grapples with a tarnished reputation and a fractured relationship with his daughter.

Cape Town
2

Reckless Encounter

David engages in a series of reckless sexual encounters, including a troubled affair with one of his students, Melanie Isaacs. His immoral actions lead to a manipulative dynamic that ultimately tarnishes not only his reputation but her life as well.

Cape Town
3

Falling from Grace

As David's inappropriate relationship with Melanie is exposed, he manipulates her with alcohol and falsifies her grades when she tries to withdraw from his class. This scandal leads to a university committee investigating his conduct, culminating in his resignation.

Cape Town
4

Escape to the Farm

Looking for solace, David retreats to his daughter Lucy's farm in the Eastern Cape, hoping that rural life will help him find himself again. This change of scenery offers him temporary refuge from his chaotic personal life.

Eastern Cape
5

The Home Invasion

Tragedy strikes when three armed intruders invade Lucy's farm, leaving her emotionally scarred and raising David's fears for their safety. The violence shatters the fragile peace they'd begun to establish.

Lucy’s farm, Eastern Cape
6

Confronting Vulnerabilities

In the aftermath of the attack, David must confront the brutal realities of life in post-apartheid South Africa, including the tragic murder of their pets. This event unearths deep-seated fears and forces him to reevaluate his existence.

Lucy’s farm, Eastern Cape
7

Fraying Relationships

As Lucy becomes increasingly withdrawn and refuses to discuss the traumatic events, David's relationship with her begins to fray. Their inability to communicate exacerbates the tension already prevalent in their lives.

8

Complicated Affairs

David begins a complicated relationship with Bev Shaw, a friend of Lucy’s who runs an animal shelter. This affair highlights David's internal conflict and deep desires as he seeks connection amidst chaos.

9

Suspicion and Mistrust

Suspicions arise regarding local farmer Petrus and his connection to the violent attack on Lucy. David's deepening mistrust complicates his interactions with their community and raises questions about safety and loyalty.

Eastern Cape
10

Return to Cape Town

David returns to Cape Town, where he confronts the repercussions of his past actions and the significant flaws in his character. The ghosts of his previous mistakes begin to haunt him anew as he seeks redemption.

Cape Town
11

Confrontation with Melanie's Family

In a bid for redemption, David approaches Melanie's family, only to face painful accusations and realizations. Her father confronts him with the truth that true accountability rests solely on David's shoulders.

12

Lucy's Pregnancy Revelation

Lucy reveals her unexpected pregnancy, a traumatic consequence of the home invasion. Despite outside advice against it, she embraces her situation, further complicating David’s anxieties about their family's future.

13

Pollux's Presence

The presence of Pollux, one of the assailants, looms large as he begins to integrate into Petrus’s home, assessing the dynamics of safety and power in their lives. David realizes that Lucy’s future might involve a permanent union with Petrus.

14

Return to the Farm

Ultimately, David returns to the farm, where he is forced to confront the consequences of his actions. This return serves as a critical juncture in his journey of self-discovery and accountability in a fundamentally changed world.

Lucy’s farm, Eastern Cape
15

Search for Redemption

In his emotional reckoning, David begins to work with Bev Shaw again, seeking to navigate his path toward redemption. His journey reflects a broader struggle against societal turmoil amid personal betrayal and grief.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 15:43

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Disgrace Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Disgrace

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