Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, premiered in Havana, Cuba last night with producer, Anant Singh presenting the film at the prestigious Cine La Rampa which is also home to the Cuban cinematic archive. The premiere was hosted by the Cuban Ministry of Culture.
The film was well received and was attended over three hundred and fifty people, among which were high ranking Cuban government officials, diplomats from the South African Embassy in Havana and the Cuban film community. Other notable guests included the head of the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC), Alquimia Peña of the Fundación del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano (New Latin American Cinema Foundation) and the internationally acclaimed filmmaking team Ernesto and Estrela Bravo, who made the documentaries ‘Mandela and Fidel’, ‘Cuba-South Africa After the Battle’, as well as the gripping documentary on the Cuban involvement in the bush wars in Angola and other parts of Africa.
Speaking at the event, Singh said, “Screening Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is especially meaningful due to the close relationship between Cuba and South Africa and, the special bond that Madiba and Fidel Castro shared. Madiba was held in high esteem by the Cuban people, thousands of whom lined the streets of Havana to catch a glimpse of him when he visited in July 1991. It is a very proud moment for us to be screening the film in Havana, following on special the screenings around the world, including the Royal Film Performance in London, the White House screening for President Obama and the screening for the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at his official residence, Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
For Further Information:
Nilesh Singh
Tel: 031 2046050
E-mail: nilesh@videovision.co.za
