Principal filming took place primarily in the Republic of Zimbabwe because of the tense political situation in South Africa at the time of shooting . Attenborough was later criticised for filming in Zimbabwe while the Gukurahundi genocide was underway . In his autobiography , '' Entirely Up to You , Darling '' , Attenborough wrote that he did n't know about the repression taking place , but castigated President Robert Mugabe for seizing white-owned farms after 2000 . Other filming locations included Kenya , as well as film studios in Shepperton and Middlesex , England . The film includes a dramatised depiction of the Soweto uprising which occurred on 16 June 1976 . Indiscriminate firing by police killed and injured hundreds of African schoolchildren during a protest march
Gukurahundi
Gukurahundi
Cry Freedom