Category Archives: Freedom

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom chronicles the life and times of South African civil rights icon Nelson Mandela, leading up to his election as the countrys first black chief executive under a proper democracy. After briefly touching on his youth in a rural African village, the film introduces Mandela (Idris Elba) also referred to as Madiba- as a lawyer around the mid-20th century, when he soon joined the African National Congress (ANC) as a courtroom soldier in the battle against institutionalized racism and race-based social/economic inequality in Apartheid-era South Africa.

Nelsons lifestyle soon costs him his first marriage, before he finds (and weds) a kindred spirit in Winnie Madikizela (Naomie Harris), an equally progressive-minded social worker. However, when Nelson and his fellow protestors abandon their non-violent resistance for a sabotage campaign against the Apartheid government, he ends up being captured, convicted and informed that he will spend the remainder of his life in prison (rather than be allowed to become a martyr to his cause). Over the years that follow, change takes place both within Mandela and in the world around him though neither his freedom nor peace in his country prove easy to come by.

Morgan Freemans performance as the elder Nelson Mandela in Clint Eastwoods Invictus is considered by many to be a definitive portrayal of the man, yet that film highlights just a single noteworthy incident from the recently-deceased anti-Apartheid crusaders life; moreover, there Madiba isnt even the protagonist. By comparison, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is a proper memoir, in terms of its scope, scale and respectful yet critically-objective tone; but as a work of biographical cinema, its far less revolutionary than the subject whose life it depicts.

The script based on Mandelas autobiography and written by William Nicholson (Les Misrables) -is foremost a Cliff Notes summary of key events in Nelsons life (before he became president of South Africa). However, because the screenplay pauses every so often to explore Mandela and Winnies characters in depth exposing their personal follies, moral shortcomings and self-motivated desires in the process it elevates Long Walk to Freedom as a work of art. Still, on a pure storytelling level, the film often feels like a homework assignment youve been required to watch insightful, for sure, but something of a chore to sit through (especially with a running time of close to two and a half hours).

Idris Elba in Long Walk to Freedom

Director Justin Chadwick (The First Grader) and cinematographer Lol Crawley (Hyde Park on Hudson) bathe flashbacks to Mandelas youth in the plains of Africa- along with later sequences in that setting (see: Mandela and Winnies wedding) with a glowing sunlight. This visually gorgeous (if somewhat melodramatic) composition technique ultimately works to highlight Nelsons spiritual connection with his homeland, and provides a fitting contrast to the harsher, desolate colors and imagery of Mandelas time in prison as well as footage showing unrest and violence in the streets of South Africa, over the decades.

Unfortunately, as lovely as the film can be to look at, its more unwieldy in terms of construction. There is a lot of material covered here; beginning with the important events in Nelsons life before his imprisonment, the film eventually splits its time between Mandelas evolution from aggressive and inspirational activist to wizened and peaceful leader and Winnies journey in the opposite direction (from charitable social activist to fiery rabble-rouser). Chadwick and his editor Rick Russell (44 Inch Chest) cover all the necessary bases, yet not with as much attention to detail as would be preferable, and often at the price of a flowing pace (as mentioned before) especially during the late second act/early third act.

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‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ Review

(PRWEB UK) 24 December 2013

The number one name in personalised and tailor-made travel to Africa, Freedom Africa have toasted the end of another year of service by unveiling their new glossy 2014 Africa brochure bursting with fresh and invigorating touring options, new territories and more.

Entirely constructed with the traveller in mind, Freedom Africas 2014 brochure is brimming with suggested itineraries, package offerings and things to see and do in eight African destinations namely South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Mauritius, Kenya and Tanzania.

Mirroring the slick look and feel of the overall online Freedom Destinations portfolio, travellers will be greeted with warm and welcoming splashes that invite enthusiastic adventurers to bask in a truly unforgettable holiday of a lifetime.

With Freedom Africa negotiating substantial repute in the personalised holiday realm, travellers can order their new brochure today either online or on the phone by calling 08445674020.

Upon receipt, for those tourists familiar with Freedoms previously covered territories, they wont believe just how more exciting and fun-filled tours have been added to the company charter.

The jewel in the crown of Africas offering South Africa again steals the show with six more accommodation complexes added to the already outstanding array of handpicked hotels ensuring that guests get as much out of their stay in the Rainbow Nation as possible.

Taking in the splendour of Cape Town, Durban, Oudtshoorn and the revered Kruger National Park, Freedom Africa is delighted to welcome the likes of the Protea Breakwater and De Opstal which ensure travellers are fulfilled in some of the best loved destinations in the world, let alone the African continent.

Freedom Destinations have made it their mission to place the traveller at the heart of their business and much like is the case upon sister websites Freedom Australia, Freedom Asia and Freedom New Zealand, suggested touring packages again take precedence in the 2014 Freedom Africa brochure.

Would-be travellers can peruse the likes of the Grand South Africa Discovery package a new-fangled coach tour aimed at offering tourists a little bitesize piece of most of the Rainbow Nations revered pursuits all in one offering; perfect for those who are undecided about a precise location.

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New 2014 Freedom Africa Brochure Launched

Assassin #39;s Creed IV Freedom Cry - Walkthrough Part 6 - Oops! [Tom]
Assassin #39;s Creed IV Freedom Cry Walkthrough Born a slave, Adwal found freedom as a pirate aboard the Jackdaw as Captain Edward Kenway #39;s second-in-command. ...

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Assassin's Creed IV Freedom Cry - Walkthrough Part 6 - Oops! [Tom] - Video

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) for Hypertension
http://www.mercola.com/ In this video, EFT Practitioner Julie Schiffman talks about how Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or tapping may help in recovering f...

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Assassin #39;s Creed 4 Black Flag Freedom Cry Walkthrough PART 6 - Plantations
Assassin #39;s Creed 4 Black Flag Freedom Cry Walkthrough Part 6 - Brand new single player Content. Adewale returns but is now an Assassin of the order 🙂 Full L...

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Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag Freedom Cry Walkthrough PART 6 - Plantations - Video

Prime (Punjabi) - Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa #39; struggle on Sikhs Freedom - 19 Dec 2013
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Prime (Punjabi) - Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa' struggle on Sikhs Freedom - 19 Dec 2013 - Video

Assassin #39;s Creed 4 Black Flag Freedom Cry Walkthrough PART 7 - Wellington
Assassin #39;s Creed 4 Black Flag Freedom Cry Walkthrough Part 7 - Brand new single player Content. Adewale returns but is now an Assassin of the order 🙂 Full L...

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Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag Freedom Cry Walkthrough PART 7 - Wellington - Video

Shin Gundam Musou: Akatsuki (Oowashi)/Strike Freedom/Infinite Justice Gameplay
YEEEEE AKATSUKI FOR 5 SECONDS!

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Shin Gundam Musou: Akatsuki (Oowashi)/Strike Freedom/Infinite Justice Gameplay - Video

Assassin #39;s Creed 4 Black Flag Freedom Cry Walkthrough PART 8 - Planning
Assassin #39;s Creed 4 Black Flag Freedom Cry Walkthrough Part 8 - Brand new single player Content. Adewale returns but is now an Assassin of the order 🙂 Full L...

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Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag Freedom Cry Walkthrough PART 8 - Planning - Video

Sky Movies Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom Special
Idris Elba plays the African National Congress legend who overcame apartheid to become the first black president of South Africa. Join in the conversation on...

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Sky Movies Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom Special - Video