Mandela film coming soon to Turkish cinemas

ISTANBUL

The film encompasses the time between Mandela’s years as a child in Transkei, where he spent time as a shepherd, and his time as head of South Africa.

A biopic on Nelson Mandela, the legendary South African leader who devoted his life to the fight against apartheid, will appear in theaters around the country April 4 with either Turkish or Kurdish subtitles.

Ninety copies of “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” will be released with Turkish subtitles while 30 copies will be released with Kurdish subtitles, becoming the first foreign movie in Turkey to be screened directly with Kurdish subtitles.

Mandela, who spent 27 years of his life behind bars because of his fight against the racism in South Africa, served as the head of the state for five years.

The screenplay was based on the book that Mandela wrote himself as his autobiography after he retired.

The film encompasses the time between Mandela’s years as a child in his home village in Transkei, where he spent time as a shepherd, and his time as head of state in post-apartheid South Africa. It was directed by Justin Chadwick, starring Idris Elba, who has played in high-budget movies like “Pacific Rim,” “Prometheus” and “Thor.”

Naomie Harris, who has gained famed for her roles in “The Pirates of the Caribbean” and as the Bond girl in the latest James Bond movie, “Skyfall,” will portray Winnie Madikizela Mandela.

The movie premiered on Sept. 7, 2013, at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival and was released on Nov. 29, 2013, less than a week before Mandela died at the age of 95.