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The Oscar Pistorius movie: How fact became film

The Oscar Pistorius movie titled Oscar Pistorius: Blade Runner Killer (available on Catch Up on DStv Now) chronicles the relationship between disgraced Paralympian, Oscar Pistorius and model Reeva Steenkamp, including Reeva’s death and Pistorius’s subsequent trial for her murder.

Pistorius is currently serving a six-year jail sentence after being found guilty of murdering Steenkamp.

Rise and fall

The man known as the Blade Runner became a South African hero with his inspirational career on the track and his involvement with multiple charities. Yet, prior to being convicted of murder, the athlete was involved in several controversial incidents. 

The six-time Paralympic gold medalist accidentally discharged a loaded firearm in a restaurant in 2013. He also made headlines after he was involved in a boating accident in which he was allegedly under the influence of alcohol. His image suffered another blow when blogger Cassidy Taylor-Memmory laid charges of assault against him in 2010, resulting in an eventual out-of-court settlement.

Pistorius’s obsession with guns and his violent temper were highlighted by the prosecution team led by Gerrie Nel during his highly publicised trial.

Unauthorised account

Andreas Damm (Person of InterestElementary and Off the Rails) plays Pistorius in the Lifetime movie, while model Toni Garm portrays Reeva. The biopic has made headlines since it was first announced, as the Pistorius and Steenkamp families were not involved in the production, with the Pistorius family threatening to take legal action.     

Dario Milo, a media law expert and partner at law firm Webber Wentzel, comments on how it’s possible that movies, portraying real-life events, are made without the consent of those involved.

Witness the rise and fall of Oscar Pistorius and watch Oscar Pistorius: Blade Runner Killer on DStv Now

Watch the interview with Dario Milo. 

DStv Now can be accessed on the app for tablets and smartphones, or online at now.dstv.com. The app is free to download on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.


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