Life
‘Winnie’ biopic blasted before it’s even released
theGRIO REPORT – ‘Winnie,’ a film about Winnie Mandela will soon make it debut at the Toronto Film Festival, but Mandela does not support the film….
Nelson And Winnie Mandela circa 1960
Winnie has generated controversy not only because Americans were cast in the leading roles, rather than South African actors, but also because Winnie Mandela was never consulted during the creation of the film.
During a CNN interview in June, Winnie Mandela expressed resentment in the film being made, “I have absolutely nothing against Jennifer, but I have everything against the movie itself,” she said. “I was not consulted. I am still alive, and I think that it is a total disrespect to come to South Africa, make a movie about my struggle and call that movie some translation of a romantic life of Winnie Mandela.”
Hudson says she is excited about the film’s premiere at the Toronto Film Festival next month, but regrets not getting the chance to meet Winnie Mandela. In a recent interview she commented on not meeting Mandela, “No, I did not but I wanted to,” Hudson said.
She went on to reveal the passion and conviction that she brought to the role of Winnie. “If you go to Africa and say the name Winnie Mandela, they shiver because she’s that dear to these people. I want to make sure that I’m all the way able, if I’m gonna half do it, then I’m not gonna do it. But if I’m gonna be in it, I gotta be in it. So I made up my mind to to go for it.”
