Mandela Long Walk to Freedom will premiere in South Africa at the end of November. – image – www.imdb.com
The Mandela family has given a movie about the historic politician the nod amidst concerns that yet again, foreign actors were used to tell an African story. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is scheduled to premiere in South Africa at the end of November before breaking out in the US and other countries. Popular actor Idris Elba plays Nelson Mandela and Naomie Harris impressed Winnie Madikizela-Mandela with her portrayal of the former president’s ex-wife. Idris Elba was visibly absent from the press brief because he was not feeling well.
Madikizela-Mandela is quoted as telling Anant Singh that nothing in the movie should be changed and she loves it the way it is. She said: “It’s beautiful.” Previously, Madikizela-Mandela had harsh words about a movie based on her life. Jennifer Hudson took on the role of former president of the ANC Women’s League in movie. Madikizela-Mandela found fault with the fact that she was never consulted prior to the production of the movie Winnie Mandela.
Nelson Mandela remains in a critical condition in his Johannesburg home. Singh spoke of a smiling Mandela when he saw a picture of the actor who would help the producers of the movie tell the story of his leadership during the struggle against apartheid.
Zindzi Mandela was also pleased with the production. One scene left its mark on the freedom icon’s daughter. In that scene, she is left alone with her sisters after both Nelson and Winnie are arrested by the apartheid police. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was equally active in the politics and freedom initiatives of that era. The Mandela children have often talked their difficult childhood with an absent father who was completely dedicated to the struggle.
The film features the talent of renowned South African actor Tony Kgoroge. In this movie, Kgoroge is tasked with the role of Mandela’s old friend and fellow comrade in the struggle, Walter Sisulu. Kgoroge shone as the presidential security chief in the movie Invictus. In Invictus, another example of a movie about Africans played by Americans, Nelson Mandela is played by award-winning Morgan Freeman in gripping tale of unity through sport which saw South Africa win the Rugby World Cup in 1995.
