Mandela film unlikely to break even despite breaking records

Since the release of Anant Singh's Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom in November it has broken a South African record by becoming the highest-grossing biopic yet in the country. But sceptics say the $35m production will not break even. by Colleen Goko

The film, which has earned a little more than R20m, has grossed more than the entire run of several Oscar-winning biopics screened in South Africa such as The King's Speech, The Iron Lady, Lincoln, Schindler's List, A Beautiful Mind, Invictus, Evita and Ali.

In fact, it has grossed more at the South African box office than the multi -Oscar winning The Life of Pi.

Despite these accolades, Geoffrey York - Africa correspondent for The Globe and Mail - said in a series of tweets on Monday that the total cost of Singh's Mandela as well as the film on Winnie Mandela directed by Darrell Roodt and also released last year were about $50m.

Mr York said total ticket sales for both films were less than $8m in the US, plus a few million dollars in South Africa and Europe. He said South African and Canadian taxpayers, who invested at least $7m in the two films were unlikely to get much back.

Revenue far below costs so far, Mr York said.

Mr Singh said he expected the biopic not only to break even, but I expect it will make a profit too. Speaking to Business Day, he said the film had earned twice as much as Invictus had managed in its whole run.

We are very hopeful that the local market will continue to do well and we are hoping to gross more than R30m Mandela opened in cinemas in the UK and managed to make the equivalent of R50m in 10 days, he said.

Mr Singh is no stranger to the world of film, having produced more than 65 films since 1984 - including Sarafina! and Cry, the Beloved Country.

Mandela himself said Mr Singh was a producer I respect very much a man of tremendous ability, when granting him the film rights to his autobiography, Long Walk To Freedom.

There's still a lot of work to be done with Long Walk To Freedom. There are 20 or more territories such as India and Germany to take it to. The next couple of months will be used to focus on making that happen.

I've just come back from the US and I went into movie theatres to watch people watch the movie. People all over are moved. I'm satisfied with the reaction its been getting, Mr Singh said.

This week, the film tasted its first success of the film awards season, winning the Golden Globe award for best original song, Ordinary Love, composed by U2. The Oscar Nominations will be revealed on Wednesday and critics and laymen alike wait to see if the film will receive a nomination.

We are keeping our fingers crossed. I certainly feel that Idris and Naomi are worthy of an Oscar but there are so many aspects the film is worthy to be nominated for, Mr Singh said.

http://www.bdlive.co.za

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