Nelson Mandela: The Myth & Me

Also screened in The Critical Room - the festival’s forum for film and debate.

A thought-provoking and poetic documentary, in which Khalo Matabane examines the legacy of the late Mandela. The film is divided into chapters where Matabane explores Mandela's ideals of freedom, forgiveness and reconciliation in the context of present day South Africa, and questions the current state of the rainbow nation. How easy is it to forgive? It was easy for Mandela the "god" to forgive because gods have that privilege, a man answers in the film. The film has the form of a letter to Mandela, combining Matabane's personal reflections and memories of the revered freedom fighter with those of local and international observers. peg

The Critical Room - 16th October 6.00 PM, Victoria Kino

After the screening Khalo Matabane joins South African artist Brett Murray and Liv Tørres to discuss why South Africa has not lived up to the promises of the liberation struggle. Moderated by Jan Speed web-editor of Bistandsaktuelt.

Besides directing films, Khalo Matabane (b. 1974) is also known in his home country South Africa for writing and commenting on cinema and politics. His filmography includes Conversations on a Sunday Afternoon (2005), Story of a Beautiful Country (2006) and State of Violence (2011). Nelson Mandela: The Myth & Me was awarded the Jury Award at last year's IDFA-festival.