Shepherds and Butchers

Shepherds and Butchers is a 2016 South African drama film directed by Oliver Schmitz. It was shown in the Panorama section at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. It is an adaptation of the debut novel of the same name by Chris Marnewick, a New Zealand-based author and former South African High Court barrister and judge.

Plot
Nearing the end of apartheid in South Africa, a young white prison guard (Garion Dowds) embarks on a seemingly motiveless shooting that sees to the death of seven unarmed black men. A British-born lawyer assigned to his case (Steve Coogan) sets out to prove his actions were a direct result of psychological trauma from his volatile work environment. The defense attorney is an ardent opponent of the death penalty.

Cast

 * Steve Coogan as John Weber - Defence attorney
 * Andrea Riseborough as Kathleen Marais - Prosecutor
 * Garion Dowds as Leon Labuschagne - Defendant
 * Deon Lotz as Warrant Officer Rautenbach - Prison officer
 * Marcel van Heerden as Justice J. P. van Zyl - Chief Judge
 * Robert Hobbs as Pierre De Villiers - John's Brother-in-law

Awards
The film received third place in the Panorama Audience Award at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival.