Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile visited Cape Town Film Studios with producer Anant Singh for a tour of the complex and the sets that are being built for the big screen adaptation of former President Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk To Freedom.
Minister Mashatile, on the eve of their departure to the Cannes International Film Festival, was introduced to the team working on the film and taken through to the sound stages and the backlot. He witnessed local artisans building the sets of Long Walk To Freedom which include the Robben Island Prison courtyard, Orlando Township and the Palace of Justice. The backlot also houses an impressive medieval French village set.
Commenting on his visit, Minister Mashatile said, “In 15 minutes I went from medieval France to Robben Island and on to Orlando. This was a real enlightening experience for me. I am impressed with the talents of our local people who have the skills to create these elaborate movie sets. Their recreation of the Robben Island courtyard and other historical landmarks is truly remarkable. I am also pleased to have experienced first-hand the vast number of people that work on films before they are actually filmed. I have always maintained that the creative industries are an important component of our economy and my visit to the studios gave me the opportunity to experience the potential of the film industry as a creator of jobs and as a significant contributor to our economy.’
Singh, who is also chairman of the studios, said, “Long Walk To Freedom represents a major opportunity to showcase South African arts and culture over a 70 year period through Madiba’s eyes. The department of Arts and Culture is the custodian of this legacy and we are delighted that the Minister and his team support our initiatives in re-creating many of the diverse experiences in Madiba’s history.’
The Long Walk To Freedom production currently employs 300 people and this number will grow to several thousand as the production of the film progresses.
Minister Mashatile and Singh will attend the Cannes Film Festival this week in an effort to further reinforce the potential of the film industry in South Africa.
Cape Town Film Studios has developed in just over a year to become the hub of the film industry in the country. It has played host to some of the biggest film shot in South Africa, including Dredd, the first major 3D action film to be made in Africa, the Hollywood box office hits Chronicle and Safe House and the television series, Labyrinth.
