Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is first SA film chosen for Royal Film Performance

Actor Idris Elba portrays Nelson Mandela in the forthcoming film (Image: Beacon)

It might just be the most anticipated movie set in or about South African since well, ever, but despite premi ring at the Toronto Film Festival last month and launching the local trailer to much fanfare a fortnight ago, South African audiences still have to wait until 28 November to watch Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom in cinemas.

Meanwhile the film has become the first ever from South Africa to be selected for the Royal Film Performance, a fundraiser attended by members of the British royal family on Thursday 6 December.

We are thrilled that Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom has been selected This prestigious endorsement of the film recognises the impact [of] Madiba and his status as a global icon, particularly in the United Kingdom producer Anant Singh said in a statement on Timeslive.co.za.

Last week it was announced that the film, which premiered at the Toronto film festival last month, had also received the Audience Favourite Feature Award at the Aspen Filmfest in the United States.

The film based on Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name features a mix of international actors and familiar faces from the local entertainment industry, including Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Riaad Moosa, Terry Pheto, Rob van Vuuren, Deon Lotz and Lindiwe Matshikiza.

It was produced by local producer Anant Singh, and directed by Justin Chadwick who is primarily a TV director, with credits including episodes of East Enders and Bleak House.

The film premi red at the prestigious Toronto Film Festival on 7 September, and elicited an eight-minute standing ovation from the audience, many of whom were described as visibly moved after the screening.

The film also carries a sort-of stamp of approval: The local trailer was launched at an event co-hosted by the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory - the official organisation tasked with preserving the legacy of Madiba. The Centre is the operations arm of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and was the former president's office post-public service.

The trailer looks great - with loads of authentic touches and Suff Effrikan accents that range from not bad to honestly quite good, but only time will tell how successful the filmmakers have been in conveying this complex story and portraying a beloved SA icon when we are able to view the work in its entirety.

The film will be released in UK on 3 January 2014.

Read more on Nelson Mandela and film in SA:

Nelson Mandela's Living Legacy | 1988 - Pollsmoor Days

Nelson Mandela's Living Legacy | Making the best of it on the Island

Trio of SA entries in 2013 London Film Fest includes controversial paedophile film

LINK:	http://www.thesouthafrican.com/entertainment/mandela-movie-long-walk-t...
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