In 1989, the struggle against apartheid was heading to its end. Otelo and New Year are best friends living in a township in Durban, South Africa. Otelo has to protect his little brother Ntwe from water. According to his father’s dream, Ntwe will die if he goes near the water before he turns thirteen, but the boys discover the world of surfing along with the freedom and hope. [Otelo Burning] was the opening film this year’s Durban International Film Festival. The film begins with a shot of water snake in the ocean and the friendship of boys grows with the sand and beach in the background. It is refreshing to see the process of South African teens finding freedom and meaning of life despite the political turmoil of the time but the ending is not as bright. The image of exciting music and surfing come off light and entertaining in the beginning but film brings up the serious racism issue of South Africa in a shocking manner. Renowned documentary director Sara Blecher made her first feature a masterpiece that pleases the critics and audience at the same time. (RHEE, Soue-won)