The Forgiven

Archbishop Desmond Tutu opens the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Pollsmoor Prison to evaluate Blomfeld’s suitability for amnesty. The exchange frames truth-telling and accountability as the path to healing rather than mere punishment. Blomfeld’s future hinges on whether he can reveal his actions with candor under the Commission's scrutiny.

Blomfeld greets the Archbishop with scorn, using insults and showing little remorse for his crimes. He resists probing questions and tries to maintain control of the interview. The confrontation highlights the moral tension at the heart of the amnesty process.

The Archbishop shows Blomfeld a photo of the young black girl and explains the concept of two prisons—the physical jail and the prison within oneself. The image unsettles Blomfeld and sparks a moment of self-reflection. It marks a turning point in his willingness to confront the truth.

Blomfeld spares the life of a fellow prisoner sent to kill him and, in doing so, earns the reluctant respect of a black gang. He also forms a fragile bond with a prisoner named Benjamin. This shift alters the prison’s dynamics and hints at potential reconciliation beyond violence.

Howard Varney speaks with Mrs. Van der Berghe, who knew Blomfeld as a child. She reveals that Blomfeld once had a friend who was a young black girl and recounts the brutal acts of her father, Rian, which led to deeper family tragedy. The interview provides crucial context for understanding Blomfeld’s current testimony.

The backstory unfolds: Blomfeld’s father, Rian, murders the girl and her family, and Blomfeld is beaten. The family later moves to Zimbabwe, where further violence shapes his history. The revelation explains the long shadow of guilt that haunts him.

Blomfeld decides to confess and calls the Archbishop, signaling a shift toward truth-telling. He records his thoughts privately for the sake of the TRC. The decision marks a dramatic turn from denial toward accountability.

Francois Schmidt schemes to eliminate Blomfeld by coordinating with riot troopers to attack him during lockdown. The plan escalates the tension inside the prison as security forces close in. The confrontation foreshadows the violence that will follow Blomfeld’s confession.

During the assault, Blomfeld is beaten to death by riot troopers after his decision to confess. His death cuts short his pursuit of amnesty, even as his recorded confession remains in play. The violence underscores the brutal costs of the apartheid era’s legacy.

An audio recording of Blomfeld confessing to the murder of Mrs. Morobe’s daughter and her boyfriend is sent and later played to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The revelation forces the Commission to reckon with the full scope of past crimes. The confession becomes a focal point of the proceedings.

Mrs. Morobe confronts Hansi Coetzee, one of the perpetrators of her daughter's murder, and ultimately forgives him. The act of forgiveness embodies the restorative aim of the Commission. It is presented as a moment of healing within a long shadow of violence.

Linda Coetzee meets the Archbishop and expresses gratitude for his work, acknowledging the difficult truths that have been faced. She embodies a personal resolution amid national reconciliation. The encounter underscores the human cost behind the legal and moral debates.

The Archbishop and his wife visit the beach he had fretted about as a child, now symbolizing a society that has moved toward integration. The film closes on a note of cautious hope, with personal and national healing intertwined. The setting reinforces the film’s themes of forgiveness and social unity.