THE much-anticipated film, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom opened on Thursday.
Based on Mandela’s book, Long Walk to Freedom which was first published in 1994, the film chronicles his life’s journey from his childhood in a rural village to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.
The biopic is directed by Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl, The First Grader) and was adapted to the screen by William Nicholson (Gladiator, Les Miserables) and stars Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Terry Pheto, Tony Kgoroge, Fana Mokoena, Zolani Mkiva, Simo Magwaza, Thapelo Mokoena and Riaad Moosa.
Reviews have been mixed with Henry Barnes of The Guardian saying “the film sags beneath the weight of its own responsibility”. Scott Founders of Variety writing it “finally arrives bearing the slightly musty odour of a 1980s Richard Attenborough superproduction …, and very much a white man’s view of the ‘dark’ continent”. David Gritten’s review in The Telegraph says it is a film “that gradually achieves a sort of grandeur in the manner of the hero it depicts”.
However, I found it a gripping story of South Africa’s history which encapsulates the themes of forgiveness, freedom and love.
It reveals the extent of Mandela’s struggle and sacrifices to achieve his country’s freedom from apartheid.
The making of the film travelled a rocky road and it took over 16 years to finally get it screened.
Producer Anant Singh says the journey first began when he started to write to Mandela in prison almost 25 years ago.
“When Long Walk to Freedom was published, Mandela asked me to take a look at the manuscript. It took me the weekend to read. I immediately said to him that there is a significant movie here and I have to make it. When the book hit international agencies two months later, the offers came in from Hollywood and the bidding contest began.”
Singh recollects that Mandela finally said: “This is a South African story, and I want you to tell it.”
One of the biggest challenges, says Singh, was condensing the life of Mandela on film: “The material in the book is so rich and powerful and the challenge was to try and effectively encompass Madiba’s amazing story in two-and-a-half hours. We have done almost 50 drafts of the screenplay with several writers and directors that were attached from time to time.”
The film spans from 1924 to 1994. Singh says the authentic replication of this 60-year period was achieved due to a talented team of people.
“Production designer Johnny Breedt did a magnificent job in bringing the scale to life. The sets he built were magnificent and when Ahmed Kathrada visited the Robben Island set, he said it felt like home.”
Director Chadwick was concerned to portray Mandela the man, says Singh, and to get a real sense of what he had to compromise in order to gain freedom. “He also met Mandela’s daughters and other people who were close to Mandela and they all stressed that it was important to treat him like a man.”
Singh is especially thrilled to have the film screened to a South African audience.
“It is exceptionally exciting to be able to present it to South African audiences. Every person in South Africa, irrespective of age or race demographic has had an association with Madiba, his journey, his humanity, his many attributes and values. I hope that the film enables us to revisit and reflect on how exceptional a human being he is.”
Asked if Mandela has had the opportunity to see the film, Singh responds: “When we completed shooting last year, I was able to visit Madiba and show him scenes from the film together with stills and he responded positively to that. Family members have also seen it and have unanimously responded positively to the film.”
• See www.mandelamovie.co.za