The Giant is Falling Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?

What Happens at the End of The Giant is Falling?

The film documents the key political issues in recent years in South Africa that have marked the demise of the African National Congress (ANC). These include the Marikana massacre in August 2012, whereby 34 striking miners were gunned down by the ANC government's police force. Rehad Desai documented this historic event in his 2013 film MINERS SHOT DOWN. He refers to the incident once again in his latest film and shows how the ANC is undermining its close connections to the trade unions it set up as a freedom movement under Nelson Mandela, and how students have also turned on the party to protest against tuition fees under the motto #FeesMustFall. The film's compelling footage unmasks the cynical despotism of corrupt president Jacob Zuma, who is chiefly responsible for the ANC's demise and its catastrophic losses at the most recent elections. It also introduces opposition movements that are challenging his now-untenable position.

Rehad Desai's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Jacob Zuma (himself)'s journey. These include the Marikana massacre in August 2012, whereby 34 striking miners were gunned down by the ANC government's police force.

How Does Jacob Zuma (himself)'s Story End?

• Jacob Zuma: Jacob Zuma's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Rehad Desai delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 17m runtime.
• Julius Malema (himself): Julius Malema's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.

What Does the Ending of The Giant is Falling Mean?

The ending of The Giant is Falling ties together the narrative threads involving Jacob Zuma. Rehad Desai chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes.