Death of a Whistleblower tells the true story of Luyanda Masinda (Noxolo Dlamini), a reporter who is compelled into action when her friend, Stanley, is suspiciously murdered. Stanley was working on an explosive story about government corruption and Luyinda scours his laptop for information. As she peels back the incredible layers of fraud, she encounters Albert Loots (Irshaad Ally), a former government employee who has his own story to tell. As the two attempt to work together, what they discover threatens the very nature of the system itself.
With fire and fury, Death of a Whistleblower is an intense drama that grabs the viewer and refuses to let go. Written and directed by Ian Gabriel, Whistleblower is based on a true story and has the feel of urgency. There’s simply an intense heat about its storytelling as Masinda doggedly searches for truth in the midst of a corrupt system. In a lot of ways, this film has a ‘old-school’ feel. Hearkening back to other ‘reporter on a hunt’ films, such as Spotlight, The Post or All the President’s Men, Whistleblower reveals a world shrouded in darkness that is looking for a hero to kick back against it for the sake of the light.
As Masinda, Dlamini spews fire on screen. She is free spirited, strong-willed and, above all else, determined in her pursuit of the truth. Nevertheless, it is her complex relationship with Loots that keeps the film balanced. Although she is somewhat of a rogue, Masinda has a moral code which she follows furiously. Loots, however, is far more fluid with his actions. Having been broken by an unjust system, Albert cares less about justice and more about revenge in his pursuits. Much credit belongs to the performance by Ally who counter-balances Masinda with a cooler—but potentially more dangerous—demeanor.
Held up against one another, their two conflicting methods provides the film with a fascinating one-two punch, especially for a film that wants to explore the nature of true justice. When corruption is deeply rooted within a system, do the corrupt deserve an opportunity to stand trial? Or is death ultimately the best course of action for them. These are profound questions and, like Masinda herself, Whistleblower is not afraid to get its hands dirty on its search for answers.
Death of a Whistleblower is now playing at TIFF ’23. For more information, click here.
