Durban Poison

Durban Poison is a 2013 South African film that follows the journey of a former policeman turned freelance journalist, Ben (played by Brandon Auret), who gets caught up in a dangerous investigation involving a local drug lord. The film is directed by Andrew Worsdale and stars Cara Roberts and Gys de Villiers in supporting roles.

As the story begins, Ben is struggling with addiction and has found himself on the fringes of society, relying on odd jobs to get by. When he is offered a chance to write an exposé on a powerful drug dealer known only as "The Rose", he sees the opportunity as a way to get a break and prove himself as a journalist.

Ben's investigation leads him deep into the criminal underworld of Durban, where he meets a cast of colorful characters, including a crooked cop, a drug-addicted prostitute, and a mysterious woman named Sarah (played by Cara Roberts), who may be The Rose's girlfriend. As he delves deeper into the story, Ben discovers a web of corruption and deceit that threatens to swallow him whole.

The film is shot in a gritty, realistic style, capturing the harsh realities of life on the streets of Durban. The city itself becomes a character in the film, with its bustling markets, sprawling slums, and pristine beaches providing a vivid backdrop for the action.

At its core, Durban Poison is a character-driven drama, exploring themes of addiction, redemption, and the struggle to find meaning in a world that seems to have lost its way. Brandon Auret delivers a powerful performance as Ben, conveying the character's emotional turmoil and vulnerability with raw honesty. Cara Roberts is equally impressive in her role as Sarah, bringing a quiet strength and complexity to the role.

While the film deals with some heavy subject matter, it also has moments of levity and humor, particularly in the interactions between Ben and the various characters he meets along the way. The supporting cast is uniformly strong, with Gys de Villiers standing out as the slimy cop who becomes Ben's unlikely ally.

Overall, Durban Poison is a gripping and well-crafted crime drama that offers a poignant and ultimately hopeful message about the power of human connection and the possibility of redemption. While it may be a difficult film to watch at times, it is also a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of holding onto hope in the face of adversity.