Sarah Barcant (Hilary Swank), a lawyer in New York City who grew up in South Africa, returns to her childhood dwelling place to intercede for Alex Mpondo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a Black South African politician who was tortured during apartheid. Under the Truth and Reconciliation terms, the whole truth must come out. As it is, under duress Mpodo had identified one of his underground comrades, Steve Sizela. But he also confirms that he kept a much more important secret – a buried list that names some new recruits. This is still where he left it, years ago.