Anant Singh's epic film about former president, Nelson
Mandela has become the highest grossing biopic of all time in South Africa.
Videovision says in a statement, "Mandela: Long Walk to
Freedom" has to date grossed over R20.6 million at the box office in about
five weeks, raking in more money than the movies "Invictus" also about Madiba, "Gandhi",
"Lincoln", "The Iron Lady" and "Ali". Between me and you, I am not surprised.
 |
| Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" |
Both the book, Long Walk to Freedom, and the movie, have given
us a broader understanding of where Mandela comes from and who he really is,
but largely why Madiba has become a global icon.
I really enjoyed the scene where Madiba is telling the
nation about the need for them to stand together, stop violence and move
forward as a country. He made it clear that: "As your leader, I will tell
you when you are wrong." In this case he was really appealing to his
followers or you can call them comrades to follow his vision as the leader.
Mandela’s story in the movie for me is wonderfully depicted.
In that we got to know our leader as well as the family man that he was. Yes, most of us know that the former President broke up with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela but
both the movie and the book reveal that in a much broader sense. I remember a
scene where Madiba was calling his wife to order because of the on-going
violence in the country. One could see the anger in Mam Winnie's eyes when
Mandela was calling for peace in that interview he had with the SABC.
The movie really depicted Soweto there way it was back then
in the 80s and 90s. During the movie I was touched in many ways. The OMO box on the street pole was a reminder of apartheid and the taverns reminded me of childhood in Soweto.
The cast's wardrobe must be commended, the clothes were
stunning and made the movie outstanding.
On a personal note, as a young South African born just
before 1994, I learned a lot from the movie and I fully understand the
anger and frustration that our fellow South Africans had and still have
regarding apartheid government and the current government.
The culture of burning tyres on streets, singing struggle
songs and marching, those scenes reminded me of recent unrests in the country
where people are protesting for better service delivery. It's no secret that South African youth led the struggle.
They were in large numbers demanding what is rightfully theirs. I take courage,
strength, victory and vision from them. They have shown determination and true
leadership.
Now back to the movie. I know you have read and possibly you
have also raised your views regarding international actors playing roles of our
own icons. But I must be honest; I think both Idris Elba who plays Mandela and
Naomie Harris killed the performance. Ask yourself one
question, which South African actor would have put their balls on the line to
depict the “ father of the nation” whilst at the same time be able to have an
international appeal?
Without offending anyone, I agree with my brother Siphumelele
Zondi when he says after watching the movie, he couldn’t think of any South
African actors who could have played Winnie and Mandela. Yes, our very own
South African actors were there and they had a chance to prove themselves in
the world stage, but I don't think they outdid the so called
"International stars".
That brings me back to the point that the producer of the film,
Anant Singh made regarding such remarks that I just made about "International
stars".Singh made it clear during his interview with the Queen of
Talk, Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu that it's not about race but it's about who can
do the job. And in this case they got right people to do the job.
Speaking about right people for the job, Singh deserved to become the man who produced the
highest grossing biopic of all time in South Africa, "Mandela: Long Walk
to Freedom". It wasn’t just a years project for him. He had taken years to
complete this movie and many parts of those years were in the research phase.
Because of his hard work, the next generation will not only read
about Madiba but will also get a chance to see who he really was, thanks to Singh and the entire cast and crew of "Mandela:
Long Walk to Freedom."Out of ten, I
give the movie nine.
