Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

February 28 – March 6                  Beer/Wine in Mezzanine on 2/28

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Fri. 2/28 9:00; Sat. 3/1 6:30; Mon. 3/3 6:30; Tue. 3/4 9:00; Wed. 3/5 6:30; Thur. 3/6 4:00 & 9:00

Dir. Justin Chadwick / 2014 / UK, South Africa /Afrikaans, English, Xhosa with English subtitles / 141 min / DCP

A solid cast brings to life Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, from his Xhosa tribal roots to his politicization as a young lawyer, rising to prominence with the initially nonviolent African National Congress (ANC), his increasing militancy in the face of shocking brutality during apartheid, and his arrest and conviction to a life sentence on charges of sabotage and conspiracy. Finally released after 27 years, Prisoner 46664 (his very name and image having been outlawed) became the first democratically elected president of the very country that imprisoned him. This inspiring story portrays his evolution from freedom fighter into perhaps the shrewdest elder statesman of the 20th century. Combined with magnificent landscapes shot on location, it creates a portrait for the ages. Idris Elba (The Wire) dynamically plays Mandela, catching his spirit in a way no other actor has, with warmth, authority, dignity and uncannily authentic mannerisms, speech patterns, and accent, while never losing sight of “Madiba,” the man. It’s a towering performance, brilliantly complemented by Naomie Harris’ (Skyfall) portrayal of Winnie Mandela and lovely moments from Lindiwe Matshikiza as Nelson’s teenage daughter. This is a legendary tale and an extraordinary film.