SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE: The second official trailer of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom screened at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton, Johannesburg on Tuesday 17 September.
Anant Singh, the film’s producer, told South African and international media: “I think I have achieved what I set out to do; to tell Mandela’s story in an honest and epic way, as his life has been. I’ve lived this dream for 25 years and I am happy to share it with everyone.’
Singh thanked Ahmed Kathrada for his friendship and for being instrumental in bringing the film to life. Mandela referred Singh to Kathrada, his lifelong friend, who had spent 26 years on Robben Island, to provide invaluable information about Madiba’s life.
When Kathrada visited the movie set version of Robben Island, which the crew built in Cape Town, his first words were “this feels like home’.
Singh confirmed that the movie cost $35m to produce. He commented: “The bulk of the story is pre-presidency. I hope the film brings awareness to audiences about the tough times Mandela had to endure before going to prison.’
Also in attendance were actors Carl Beukes (Niel Barnard), Atandwa Kani (Teenage Mandela), Tony Kgoroge (Walter Sisulu), Riaad Moosa (Ahmed Kathrada) and musician Blondie, who contributed to the movie’s soundtrack.
Nelson Mandela is portrayed by award-winning actor Idris Elba with Naomie Harris as Winnie Mandela.
Directed by Justin Chadwick, the movie stars, among others, South African actors Jamie Bartlett (James Gregory), Gys de Villiers (FW de Klerk), Deon Lotz (Kobie Coetsee), Lindiwe Matshikiza (Zinzi Mandela), Fana Mokoena (Govan Mbeki) and Terry Pheto (Evelyn Mase).
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom releases nationwide in South Africa on 28 November through UIP.
View the trailer at http://www.screenafrica.com/page/industry-interviews/1634572-Mandela-Long-Walk-to-Freedom
