“Love defies hate in Apartheid South Africa, but when one woman’s partner is murdered for who she is, healing becomes the most radical act of all.” 

Based on a true story, South Side of the Sun is a searing journey through love, loss, and the enduring power of healing in a time of national transformation.

SYNOPSIS:

In the early 1990s, as Apartheid-era South Africa teeters on the brink of transformation, Natalie, a young woman raised in a conservative household, is quietly grappling with her sexual identity. In a society rife with repression—where both political dissent and samesex love are criminalized— Natalie is forced to conceal her true self from her family, her colleagues, and the world around her. When she meets Anne, a vibrant and freespirited artist, Natalie experiences true love for the first time. Their connection is immediate, passionate, and profound—but it must remain hidden. As the country descends into political uncertainty and racial tension, with negotiations underway between the ruling white government and the African National Congress, violence simmers beneath the surface. Fearing the instability and terrified for Anne’s safety, Natalie begs her to flee the country with her. When Anne refuses, Natalie leaves for London alone. Months later, devastated by news of political assassinations and widespread unrest, Natalie returns—just in time to reunite with Anne before South Africa’s first democratic elections. A miracle unfolds: millions vote peacefully, and Nelson Mandela becomes president. For the first time, Natalie and Anne can dream of a life together in the open. But the dream is short-lived. Just as the country celebrates hope and reconciliation, Anne is brutally murdered in her pottery studio by three young men—products of a broken system, fuelled by resentment and violence. Her death is scarcely acknowledged in the press, one more casualty in a country haunted by its past.Shattered by grief, Natalie spirals into depression, preyed upon by opportunists and haunted by the loss of the woman she loved. But in the darkness, a light appears: Alex, a thoughtful and resilient colleague, helps Natalie rebuild her life. Through Alex’s support, Natalie finds the courage to confront Anne’s killers in court—and slowly, to open her heart once more. South Side of the Sun is a sweeping, intimate love story about identity, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. Set against one of the most turbulent transitions in modern history, it is a tribute to all those silenced by gender-based violence—and a reminder that even in the face of brutality, love endures.