Win tickets to see Long Walk to Freedom

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom premiered in Durban on Tuesday night at Gateway. 

 

The movie is the official film adaptation of Nelson Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom. It begins in 1924 and follows Madiba from his early childhood, through to his arrival in Johannesburg and culminates with his election as president of South Africa in 1994.

 

Watching this movie was overwhelmingly emotional. It takes you on a rollercoaster journey through the sometimes dark hallways of Mandela’s life. It explores the Madiba unknown to most of the world - the lover of fancy cars, the ladies’ man, the boxing enthusiast and playboy, the skillful lawyer and freedom fighter. The film is an intimate portrait of the making of a modern icon.

 

I love that the movie did not portray him as a saint, but rather a strong willed man, intelligent, charismatic, flawed but filled with passion and boldness. Its realness was bittersweet. 

 

Director Justin Chadwick had the gruelling task of creatively translating the moments of Madiba’s life into a cinematic experience. This definitely is not an easy task even for the best of producers - and so you can decide if the film does it justice. 

 

Idris Elba, who plays our former president, could not be better suited for the role. His strong, broad shouldered and well-built stature echoes Madiba’s powerful presence and uncanny ability to command respect. 

Riaad Moosa, the doctor turned comedian turned actor, plays the role of Ahmed Kathrada, fellow inmate and comrade to Nelson Mandela. I was quite surprised to see the funny doctor in such a role, but was also impressed by how well he filled those shoes, proving him to be truly talented. 

 

As a teenager, I visited Robben Island and had learnt about the life of political prisoners; even so the scenes gave me goose bumps. Watching it reenacted on the big screen stirred an aching feeling of sadness at the unjustness. Despite scenes being toned down and edited to suit a younger audience, the film captures the emotional turmoil of the day poignantly.  

 

U2 lends its creative genius to the film’s soundtrack, with their song Ordinary Love. Somehow the collaboration is the perfect match for this film. 

What does this movie mean for me as a South African? 

 

It is more than a movie, it is a reminder of the personal struggle our former leader endured, his personal heartache at being torn away from his family and how he deals with his release and the challenges of leading an angry nation. The kind of events that would leave most people shattered. But here I am, a product of such a nation, a part of Madiba’s legacy. I am partially defined by the years of apartheid and liberated by democracy. We have come so far as a nation, but we are still not where we want to be. This film is like a fuel that ignites the passion I and many others have for our country, for our people. It encourages me to keep trusting, to keep hoping, to keep motivating people to always hope for a better future for South Africa. Together, we are a powerful nation.

 

“When people are determined, they can overcome anything.” – Nelson Mandela.

 

The film will be screened at the White House today. Barack Obama will be joined by Idris Elba and Naomi Harris, as well as Nelson Mandela’s two daughters Zindzi and Zenani Mandela. 

 

- Sarona Reddy

 

*Go and watch Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom on us! We've got four sets of double tickets to give away to see it at Suncoast CineCentre. Simply tell us who directed the movie. Email your answer to [email protected]