Hidden Heart

Credits
Year: 2007
Country: CH, D
Running Time: 97 Min.
Director: Cristina Karrer, Werner Schweizer
Author: Cristina Karrer, Werner Schweizer
Producer: Werner Schweizer
Co-Producer: Lichtblick Film, Big World Cinema, Steven Markowitz
Camera: Michael Hammon
Editor: Patricia Wagner
Sound: Joe Dlamini
Music: Firelive Production
Production Manager: Tami Berkovits
Cast: Vuyani Mngqete, Donal Siemon

Awards

Nomination Prix du Public, Solothurner Filmtage, 2008
Zurich Film Award, 2008

Festivals

Solothurner Filmtage, 2008
3rd Film Festival „Time To Live“ Saint-Petersburg, 2008
5th Sevilla Festival de Cine Europeo, Competition, 2008
25. Kasseler Dokumentarfilm- und Videofest, 2008
27th Fajir International Film Festival Teheran, 2009
Cinema Verité Iran, 2009
ImagéSanté Liège, 2010

The great success story of the first heart transplant, which was carried out in Capetown in 1967, was not written by Christiaan Barnard alone – Hamilton Naki, a black man, played an equal part in the sensational achievement. “Hidden Heart” tells the story of the two men, of a life of glamour, but also of injustice and uprising. The documentary combines their career paths, puts each in its political context, reveals obvious parallels in their characters and traces the opportunities for professional development within the political system of South Africa, the way both men dealt with this and what they made of it. Ultimately, the film shows how history can be rewritten when a system that is seemingly set in stone falls apart. The story not only sheds new light on the heart transplant itself but also shows how determination and discipline can move mountains. While Barnard’s accomplishment was recorded in the history books, this does not diminish Naki’s achievements, particularly in view of the political context of the period. “Hidden Heart” breaks taboos, both in its treatment of Naki and in its portrayal of Barnard. Both men are critically examined through a kaleidoscope of testimonials from a select group of contemporary witnesses.

Watch Trailer here