Anant Singh, the chief executive officer of Videovision Entertainment and
producer of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom has released a
statement on the passing of actor and film director Lord Richard Attenborough.
Attenborough, who died on 24 August at the age of 90 after living in a nursing
home with his wife in frail health for the last few years, had a career in the film
industry which spanned over 60 years. Films which held notable acting roles for Attenborough include Brighton Rock and Jurrasic Park while directing roles include Gandhi, Chaplin and
Shadowlands.
Anant Singh released the following statement on his passing:
“Attenborough was a huge supporter of South Africa and the liberation
movement. His film, Cry Freedom made in 1987, was the first
significant anti-apartheid film ever made by a Hollywood studio, and told the
story of Steve Biko and life in South Africa during the dark days of apartheid.
He and his wife, Lady Sarah, were enormous friends of South Africa, and visited
the country many times in the post-apartheid era and visited with us in Durban
on a few occasions. Not only was he a hugely talented producer and director,
he also acted in some of the most powerful films made during his 70 year career
in the industry, among which were The Great Escape,
Brighton Rock, Seance on a Wet Afternoon,
Doctor Dolittle and many others.
He was a role model and an inspiration to me and many filmmakers around the
world. On a personal level, he motivated me to persevere in my career, as he
did, and pursue my projects with passion and tenacity, especially having taken
over 20 years to make his epic, multi award-winning film, Gandhi.
We will miss him and our sympathies go to Lady Sarah and the greater
Attenborough family.’
