Closing Night: Tutu

Sam Pollard’s intimate documentary immerses the viewer in to the remarkable life of Desmond Tutu, tracing the journey of a young man who became one of South Africa’s most influential voices for justice and reconciliation. Through archival footage, personal reflections, and the testimony of those who knew him, Pollard reveals a man whose convictions were matched by an irrepressible sense of humor and an extraordinary ability to connect with people. Tutu’s role in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid is central, but the film also looks beyond the public figure to explore his family, faith, friendships, and the private costs of a life lived so visibly. The result is a richly human portrait of a complicated, charismatic man who understood that moral courage could coexist with joy. —Jessie Fairbanks