The State Against Nelson Mandela and the Others

In The State Against Mandela and the Others, history comes alive before our eyes and ears to fascinating effect. It deals with the so-called Rivonia trial, in which Nelson Mandela and nine other activists were sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against the apartheid state of South Africa. No footage exists from the proceedings, but the whole thing was recorded on tape, and the film uses these recordings in combination with stylish animation and additional interviews to draw a comprehensive picture of the case. Importantly, it focuses not only on Mandela, but also on the stories of the nine “others”. Hearing their testimonies reflections today, more than 50 years later, makes a riveting and lasting impression.

Nicolas Champeaux is a French reporter at the radio station Radio France Internationale. He has covered politics in several African countries as well as in the Middle East. The State… is his first venture into cinema. Gilles Porte (b. 1965) is a director, screenwriter, and cinematographer. He has worked with filmmakers such as Jacques Audiard, Marcel Carné and Costa-Gavras, and won the French César award for best first feature for Quand la mer monte… in 2005.