This was the best documentary of the Oscar-nominated group. The witnesses came before the commission and confessed to murderous conduct in exchange for forgiveness. The testimony was raw and painful and absolutely riveting.After Apartheid ended, there had been so many atrocities committed by so many people on both sides that South Africa decided to pardon anyone from criminal prosecutions who came before the commission and told the truth about their complicity in the killing of blacks or whites.The power of this remarkable film comes from the ability of the families and friends of the victims to forgive.Ms. Hoffman, who was already nominated for a profound and excellent documentary about her mother's decline into Alzheimer's, is one of the finest living documentary makers in this country. Four stories of murder unfold in front of the families of the victims. The Witnesses admit to their crimes in different ways. This is an important film. An experiment in forgiveness for unforgivable unspeakable acts of violence.Also the soundtrack is unusually excellent for a documentary.

This documentary tells four true stories of apartheid in South Africa. As one of the people in the film points out, there is a Kafkaesque atmosphere about people confessing their atrocities in order to seek amnesty.The point of both the hearings in the film and of the film itself is to be able to heal by facing the truth. Only in facing the past can we prevent ourselves from repeating it. We must remember the true horrors that humans can make for other humans. That is the only sane way of sustaining a better world that can emerge from the chaos.Not an easy film to watch, there are times when anguish flies off the screen into the viewer. But purgation comes from witnessing truth, accepting it, and guarding against the evil within us that is capable of such horror. This is a human story that will alter your perspective on life.

I am stumbling over how to start to write this documentary film experience, other that I will not repeat prior posting notions.I am a child of Los Angeles, California (USA) and have never migrated too much outside of this Mediterranean climate basin and its metropolitan life and values. Within my 59 years, I suppose 46 of those have been cognitive of my own beliefs, fears, timidity and aggressions.I am very pessimistic that the United States can ever move to release its bondage of its Afro-American citizens.It is within this context that I viewed this wonderful documentary. The values presented are the values that tug at the basic fiber of my country and myself in reconciliation to people of color. With all our power and global military strength and dominance, we (USA) cannot even cure or dare to discuss issues of race with a true face.This film is a mirror held in the face of most Western powers, and mostly USA. This film provides a wonderful model to heal at least part of our past.Perhaps President George W. Bush can include this film in his "faith-based" programs that will get federal funding and a wide exposure. And in his Education program, should be screened at all our schools and at a very young student viewing age.

This is an impressive documentary - there can be no argument about that. The question is whether its because the subject of the documentary (the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission) is enough to make you sit back and rethink every thought you have ever had on pain, suffering and the vengefulness that invariable goes with it. Or perhaps it is the film makers' extraordinary ability to draw from the people involved an honesty and openness which is as impressive as it is devastating to watch.You can not possibly watch this documentary without being changed by it and hopefully no opportunity will ever arise to make a documentary like this one again, so it is a must see.This is definitely the best documentary I have ever seen. Enough said.