By MICHAEL PARKS
Los Angeles Times

CAPETOWN, South Africa--The South African government plans to take a further look at the anti-apartheid film Cry Freedom before deciding whether it can be shown in this country.

Although government censors cleared the film without restrictions several months ago, that decision is being reviewed by officials of the ruling National Party.

Stoffel Botha, the minister of home affairs, said he planned to view the film soon to determine whether he would ask the Publications Appeals Board to reconsider the initial approval his department gave the movie.

Other government departments, among them the justice ministry and the policy, are trying to determine whether the film violates South Africa's security laws or whether its screening should be prohibited under the 20-month-old state of emergency. Cry Freedom is about the late black activist Steve Biko.

The film, directed by Sir Richard Attenborugh, is scheduled to open at 30 cinemas around the country early in April, after a major advertising campaign that the American distributors have said will challenge the consciences of white South Africans.

Peter Dignan, managing director of UIP-Warner, local distributor of the film, said he expected the movie will be shown as planned despite the further government reviews.

But the government appears to be taking an even tougher approach toward its critics on the left than in November when Cry Freedom was approved.

Using the government's vast powers under the state of emergency, Botha has moved to suspend one newspaper from publishing and warned five other papers and magazines that similar actions might be taken against them. He has ordered an investigation into the making of a CBS documentary, Children of Apartheid, and that could lead to the expulsion of CBS personnel from the country.

(text of February 18, 1988 Vancouver Sun article)