Mandela, A Long Walk to Freedom

[Lisak]

I have this evening been to see this film. Its premiere in London was marred by the death of Mandela on the same night.
This is a film taken by his autobiography and wow, it is powerful. Idris Elba as Mandela is amazing, as is Naomi Harris as Winnie.
I, for my sins grew up unaware of the struggle of the South Africans during apartheid, but was obviously aware during the 80's when his struggle and his imprisonment became news again, and remember him being freed. I watched this film and couldn't believe that this actually happened not that long ago, and also couldn't help drawing upon parallels with Palestine today.
It is a film that will stay with me for a long time and moved me greatly. Let's just say when the film finished, no-one moved for a good couple of minutes, and no-one spoke.
If you get the chance to see it, do.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2304771/

[HEPZIBAH]

I've not seen this film yet. It sounds as though the reaction to it when you went was very similar to one I experienced in the late 1980's when I went with a friend to watch Cry Freedom - the story of Donald Woods who had to flee South Africa in order to publish information about the death of the black activisit Steve Biko when in custody. It was a huge cinema and at the end, apart from the odd sobs, every thing was silent as people sat for nearly 10 minutes not speaking or moving. Even walking out of the cinema people were not reacting as you normally do when you come out of a film, chatting about it etc.

[Lisak]

I couldn't speak afterwards, I really had no words.
But all that echoed in my head was "This is bloody Palestine."