The Bang Bang Club (2011): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2011, The Bang Bang Club is a drama and history film directed by Steven Silver, running about 106 minutes. “Sometimes you get too close” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. In the early to mid '90s, when the South African system of apartheid was in its death throes, four photographers - Greg Marinovich, Kevin Carter, Ken Oosterbroek and João Silva - bonded by their friendship and a sense of purpose, worked together to chronicle the violence and upheaval leading up to the 1994 election of Nelson Mandela as president. Their work is risky and dangerous, potentially fatally so, as they thrust themselves into the middle of chaotic clashes between forces backed by the government (including Inkatha Zulu warriors) and those in support of Mandela's African National Congress.

Who’s in it. The Bang Bang Club stars Malin Åkerman as Robin Comley, Ryan Phillippe as Greg Marinovich, Taylor Kitsch as Kevin Carter and Frank Rautenbach as Ken Oosterbroek, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.7/10, The Bang Bang Club has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Philo and rent or buy it from Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Bang Bang Club page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Bang Bang Club tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.