Mandela biopic gets Royal thumbs up

The Royal Film Performance is a charity fundraising event that annually showcases the premiere screening of a selected film. The event is attended by the British Royal Family as a time honoured tradition.

The first screening took place in 1946 with the premiere of A Matter of Life and Death, a romantic fantasy film starring David Niven and Kim Hunter. ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ was selected for last year’s screening.

“We are thrilled that Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom has been selected for the official Royal Film Performance this year, the first for a South African film,” producer Anant Singh said in a statement, according to SAPA.

“This prestigious endorsement of the film recognises the impact [of] Madiba and his status as a global icon, particularly in the United Kingdom.”

As the largest South African/British co-production ever, the Jason Chadwick-directed film is based on the iconic former South African President’s autobiography of the same name.

It stars British actors Idris Elba and Naomi Harris as Nelson and Winnie Mandela respectively, and also features Tsotsi leading lady Terry Pheto, SA comedian Riaad Moosa, and ‘Jozi’ actress Lindiwe Matshikiza as Zindzi Mandela.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is set for release in South Africa on 28 November 2013.

– TeamTalk