The Grass is Singing
An acclaimed adaptation of Doris Lessing's seminal work
Nobel Prize-winning Doris Lessing was at once an author, poet, playwright, librettist, biographer and staunch political commentator. This acclaimed adaptation of her iconic first novel captured these talents.
Nobel Prize-winning Doris Lessing was at once an author, poet, playwright, librettist, biographer and staunch political commentator. This acclaimed adaptation of her iconic first novel captured these talents.
Both poetic and polemical, Lessing exploded onto the literary scene with her first novel in 1950. Set in her native Rhodesia, it boldly lifted the lid on themes of psychology, racism, feminism and colonialism. Brought to the screen in 1981, critics around the world praised the film as "brilliantly reflecting the uncommon insight of Lessing's work".
USA title : “KILLING HEAT” - based on Doris Lessing’s novel
Starring: Karen Black, John Thaw, John Kani
Festivals and Awards
Best Film | Sydney; San Francisco; Toronto; London Film Festival
Reviews
“Karen Black triumphs in one of the most demanding roles of her career. The film takes us into a world as beautiful as it is harsh, and we can all but feel the heat that's so unbearable. It ends on a note of authentic ambiguity that few films attain." - Kelvin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
“Doris Lessing is a novelist of distinction, how reassuring to find her talent positively shining forth from Michael Raeburn’s film.” - Daily Telegraph, UK
Credits
Production - Swedish Film Institute & Chibote Ltd, London/Zambia
Writer/Director: Michael Raeburn
Producer: Mark Forstater
Consultant: Ex-President Thabo Mbeki
Prod Designer: Disley Jones
Camera: Bille August
Editor: Tom Shwalm
Music: Themba Tana, ANC Choir South Africa, Lasse Dahlberg