Nelson Mandela was not only once the President of South Africa, he was also a revolutionary. He was recognized all over the world as an icon of peace and forgiveness and with that it only makes sense that his story be brought to the big screen. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom chronicles the hero’s highs and lows, from his upbringing through his democratic election as President of South Africa.
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Actor Idris Elba had the distinction of playing the former President and spoke to ET Canada about his experience. “I didn’t know much – it was daunting to understand how much we had to understand about who we were playing”;, he said, “I knew what he stood for, I knew he went to jail but I didn’t know what he really went through to become the man that he is”;.
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With Mandela’s passing today, the strength of this movie plays out even louder. Star Naomie Harris’ appreciation for the man grew even stronger after her involvement with Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. “; I think it’s extraordinary that he overcame his basic human instincts to want revenge and instead offered compassion, understanding & forgiveness.”; Idris echoed Naomie’s statement by saying “He’s a freedom fighter – he fought for freedom & for me that’s one of the things that stands out as part of his legacy – he fought for it! “
~By Jonathan Knox