Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist, who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black chief executive, and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism and fostering racial reconciliation. Politically an African nationalist and democratic socialist, he served as President of the African National Congress (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997.

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Malcolm X (1992)

A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Spike Lee
CAST:  Denzel Washington  •  Angela Bassett  •  Albert Hall  •  Al Freeman Jr.

A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Spike Lee
CAST:  Denzel Washington  •  Angela Bassett  •  Albert Hall  •  Al Freeman Jr.

The Corporation (2003)

Since the late 18th century American legal decision that the business corporation organizational model is legally a person, it has become a dominant economic, political and social force around the globe. This film takes an in-depth psychological examination of the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mark Achbar  •  Jennifer Abbott
CAST:  Jane Akre  •  Ray Anderson  •  Maude Barlow  •  Michael Moore

Since the late 18th century American legal decision that the business corporation organizational model is legally a person, it has become a dominant economic, political and social force around the globe. This film takes an in-depth psychological examination of the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mark Achbar  •  Jennifer Abbott
CAST:  Jane Akre  •  Ray Anderson  •  Maude Barlow  •  Michael Moore

Mama Africa (2011)

Miriam Makeba was one of the first African musicians who won international stardom and whose music was always anchored in her traditional South African roots. Miriam Makeba was forced into exile in 1959. She sang for John F. Kennedy, performed with Harry Belafonte ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mika Kaurismäki
CAST:  Harry Belafonte  •  Miriam Makeba  •  Kathleen Cleaver  •  Leopoldo Fleming

Miriam Makeba was one of the first African musicians who won international stardom and whose music was always anchored in her traditional South African roots. Miriam Makeba was forced into exile in 1959. She sang for John F. Kennedy, performed with Harry Belafonte ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mika Kaurismäki
CAST:  Harry Belafonte  •  Miriam Makeba  •  Kathleen Cleaver  •  Leopoldo Fleming

Fire in the Blood (2013)

An intricate tale of "medicine, monopoly and malice", Fire in the Blood tells the story of how Western pharmaceutical companies and governments blocked access to low-cost AIDS drugs for the countries of the global south in the years after 1996 - causing ten million ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dylan Mohan Gray
CAST:  Zackie Achmat  •  Peter Mugyenyi  •  Bill Clinton  •  William Hurt

An intricate tale of "medicine, monopoly and malice", Fire in the Blood tells the story of how Western pharmaceutical companies and governments blocked access to low-cost AIDS drugs for the countries of the global south in the years after 1996 - causing ten million ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dylan Mohan Gray
CAST:  Zackie Achmat  •  Peter Mugyenyi  •  Bill Clinton  •  William Hurt

Plot for Peace (2013)

This is the untold story behind History, a well-kept secret behind the world-wide icon: Nelson Mandela's release was a Plot for Peace. For the first time, heads of state, generals, diplomats, master spies and anti-apartheid fighters reveal how Africa's front line ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mandy Jacobson  •  Carlos Agulló
CAST:  Nelson Mandela  •  Winnie Mandela  •  Thabo Mbeki  •  Neels Van Tonder

This is the untold story behind History, a well-kept secret behind the world-wide icon: Nelson Mandela's release was a Plot for Peace. For the first time, heads of state, generals, diplomats, master spies and anti-apartheid fighters reveal how Africa's front line ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mandy Jacobson  •  Carlos Agulló
CAST:  Nelson Mandela  •  Winnie Mandela  •  Thabo Mbeki  •  Neels Van Tonder

The Bang Bang Club (2011)

In the early to mid '90s, when the South African system of apartheid was in its death throes, four photographers - Greg Marinovich, Kevin Carter, Ken Oosterbroek and João Silva - bonded by their friendship and a sense of purpose, worked together to chronicle the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Silver
CAST:  Malin Åkerman  •  Ryan Phillippe  •  Taylor Kitsch  •  Frank Rautenbach

In the early to mid '90s, when the South African system of apartheid was in its death throes, four photographers - Greg Marinovich, Kevin Carter, Ken Oosterbroek and João Silva - bonded by their friendship and a sense of purpose, worked together to chronicle the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Silver
CAST:  Malin Åkerman  •  Ryan Phillippe  •  Taylor Kitsch  •  Frank Rautenbach

Unity (2015)

Despite the advent of science, literature, technology, philosophy, religion, and so on -- none of these has assuaged humankind from killing one another, the animals, and nature. UNITY is a film about why we can't seem to get along, even after thousands and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Shaun Monson
CAST:  Jessica Chastain  •  Zoe Saldaña  •  Lena Headey  •  Amanda Seyfried

Despite the advent of science, literature, technology, philosophy, religion, and so on -- none of these has assuaged humankind from killing one another, the animals, and nature. UNITY is a film about why we can't seem to get along, even after thousands and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Shaun Monson
CAST:  Jessica Chastain  •  Zoe Saldaña  •  Lena Headey  •  Amanda Seyfried

Hansie (2008)

"How do you start over once you have betrayed a nation's trust?" The news of Hansie Cronjé's involvement with Indian bookmakers and his resulting public confession rocked the international sporting community. An unprecedented rise to glory was followed by the most ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Regardt van den Bergh
CAST:  Frank Rautenbach  •  Sarah Thompson  •  Eric Nobbs  •  Sybel Coetzee

"How do you start over once you have betrayed a nation's trust?" The news of Hansie Cronjé's involvement with Indian bookmakers and his resulting public confession rocked the international sporting community. An unprecedented rise to glory was followed by the most ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Regardt van den Bergh
CAST:  Frank Rautenbach  •  Sarah Thompson  •  Eric Nobbs  •  Sybel Coetzee

Mandela (1996)

A documentary that chronicles the life of South African leader Nelson Mandela. Mandela is probably best known for his 27 years of imprisonment, and for bringing an end to apartheid. But this film also sheds light on the little-known early period of Mandela's life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Angus Gibson  •  Jo Menell
CAST:  Nelson Mandela  •  Winnie Mandela  •  F.W. de Klerk  •  Eugene Terre'Blanche

A documentary that chronicles the life of South African leader Nelson Mandela. Mandela is probably best known for his 27 years of imprisonment, and for bringing an end to apartheid. But this film also sheds light on the little-known early period of Mandela's life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Angus Gibson  •  Jo Menell
CAST:  Nelson Mandela  •  Winnie Mandela  •  F.W. de Klerk  •  Eugene Terre'Blanche

Sophiatown (2003)

Little Bird's first South African production, SOPHIATOWN has won the award for Best Documentary at the Cape Town World Cinema Festival 2003. SOPHIATOWN celebrates the great popular jazz music of the 1950's in South Africa; a rich tradition deserving international ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Pascale Lamche
CAST:  Jonas Gwangwa  •  Abdullah Ibrahim  •  Nelson Mandela  •  Hugh Masekela

Little Bird's first South African production, SOPHIATOWN has won the award for Best Documentary at the Cape Town World Cinema Festival 2003. SOPHIATOWN celebrates the great popular jazz music of the 1950's in South Africa; a rich tradition deserving international ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Pascale Lamche
CAST:  Jonas Gwangwa  •  Abdullah Ibrahim  •  Nelson Mandela  •  Hugh Masekela

Shadow World (2016)

A detailed investigation into the political and economic interests that, since the beginning of the 20th century, have pulled the strings of the arms trade, hidden in the shadows, feeding the shameful corruption of politicians and government officials and promoting ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Johan Grimonprez
CAST:  Eduardo Galeano  •  Lawrence Wilkerson  •  Jeremy Rifkin  •  Pierre Sprey

A detailed investigation into the political and economic interests that, since the beginning of the 20th century, have pulled the strings of the arms trade, hidden in the shadows, feeding the shameful corruption of politicians and government officials and promoting ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Johan Grimonprez
CAST:  Eduardo Galeano  •  Lawrence Wilkerson  •  Jeremy Rifkin  •  Pierre Sprey

White House Revealed (2009)

In this eye-opening documentary about the inner workings of the White House, the most famous residence in America opens its doors for a behind-the-scenes tour and a meet-and-greet with the staff who keep it running in tip-top shape. Highlights include bird's-eye ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Martin Sheen  •  Barack Obama  •  Michelle Obama  •  Hillary Clinton

In this eye-opening documentary about the inner workings of the White House, the most famous residence in America opens its doors for a behind-the-scenes tour and a meet-and-greet with the staff who keep it running in tip-top shape. Highlights include bird's-eye ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Martin Sheen  •  Barack Obama  •  Michelle Obama  •  Hillary Clinton

Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony (2002)

The struggle to eradicate apartheid in South Africa has been chronicled over time, but no one has addressed the vital role music plays in this challenge. This documentary by Lee Hirsch recounts a fascinating and little-known part of South Africa's political history ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lee Hirsch
CAST:  Walter Cronkite  •  F.W. de Klerk  •  Abdullah Ibrahim  •  Jesse Jackson

The struggle to eradicate apartheid in South Africa has been chronicled over time, but no one has addressed the vital role music plays in this challenge. This documentary by Lee Hirsch recounts a fascinating and little-known part of South Africa's political history ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lee Hirsch
CAST:  Walter Cronkite  •  F.W. de Klerk  •  Abdullah Ibrahim  •  Jesse Jackson

The State Against Mandela and the Others (2018)

South Africa, July 11th, 1963. Several members of the African National Congress, an organization declared illegal, are arrested in Rivonia, a country house near Johannesburg. The detainees, along with Nelson Mandela, imprisoned since 1962, are charged with serious ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gilles Porte  •  Nicolas Champeaux
CAST:  Ahmed Mohamed 'Kathy' Kathrada  •  Andrew Mlangeni  •  Denis Goldberg  •  Sylvia Neame

South Africa, July 11th, 1963. Several members of the African National Congress, an organization declared illegal, are arrested in Rivonia, a country house near Johannesburg. The detainees, along with Nelson Mandela, imprisoned since 1962, are charged with serious ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gilles Porte  •  Nicolas Champeaux
CAST:  Ahmed Mohamed 'Kathy' Kathrada  •  Andrew Mlangeni  •  Denis Goldberg  •  Sylvia Neame

Whitney (2018)

Examines the life and career of singer Whitney Houston. Features never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive recordings, rare performances and interviews with the people who knew her best.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kevin Macdonald
CAST:  Whitney Houston  •  Bobby Brown  •  Cissy Houston  •  Clive Davis

Examines the life and career of singer Whitney Houston. Features never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive recordings, rare performances and interviews with the people who knew her best.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kevin Macdonald
CAST:  Whitney Houston  •  Bobby Brown  •  Cissy Houston  •  Clive Davis

The Edge of Democracy (2019)

A cautionary tale for these times of democracy in crisis—the personal and political fuse to explore one of the most dramatic periods in Brazilian history. With unprecedented access to Presidents Dilma Rousseff and Lula da Silva, we witness their rise and fall and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Petra Costa
CAST:  Dilma Rousseff  •  Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva  •  Michel Temer  •  Eduardo Cunha

A cautionary tale for these times of democracy in crisis—the personal and political fuse to explore one of the most dramatic periods in Brazilian history. With unprecedented access to Presidents Dilma Rousseff and Lula da Silva, we witness their rise and fall and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Petra Costa
CAST:  Dilma Rousseff  •  Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva  •  Michel Temer  •  Eduardo Cunha

Africa Rising (2019)

How African artists have spread African culture all over the world, especially music, since the harsh years of decolonization, trying to offer a nicer portrait of this amazing continent, historically known for tragic subjects, such as slavery, famine, war and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jean-Alexander Ntivyihabwa  •  Thorsten Ernst
CAST:  Vanessa Mdee  •  Gims  •  Sipho Dlamini  •  Binetou Sylla

How African artists have spread African culture all over the world, especially music, since the harsh years of decolonization, trying to offer a nicer portrait of this amazing continent, historically known for tragic subjects, such as slavery, famine, war and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jean-Alexander Ntivyihabwa  •  Thorsten Ernst
CAST:  Vanessa Mdee  •  Gims  •  Sipho Dlamini  •  Binetou Sylla

The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story (2020)

A documentary chronicling Queen and Lambert's incredible journey since they first shared the stage together on "American Idol" in 2009.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Simon Lupton  •  Christopher Bird
CAST:  Adam Lambert  •  Brian May  •  Roger Taylor  •  Rami Malek

A documentary chronicling Queen and Lambert's incredible journey since they first shared the stage together on "American Idol" in 2009.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Simon Lupton  •  Christopher Bird
CAST:  Adam Lambert  •  Brian May  •  Roger Taylor  •  Rami Malek

In Darkest Hollywood: Cinema and Apartheid (1994)

A documentary overview and ideological critique of the South African film industry and cinema's historical relationship with apartheid.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Davis  •  Daniel Riesenfeld
CAST:  Erica Rutherford  •  Richard Attenborough  •  Bono  •  André P. Brink

A documentary overview and ideological critique of the South African film industry and cinema's historical relationship with apartheid.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Davis  •  Daniel Riesenfeld
CAST:  Erica Rutherford  •  Richard Attenborough  •  Bono  •  André P. Brink

Death of Apartheid (1995)

The secret history of the negotiations that led to Mandela's release from prison, the ANC becoming the government of South Africa, and the end of apartheid.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stephen Clarke  •  Mick Gold  •  Stewart Lansley
CAST:  Nelson Mandela  •  Mangosuthu Buthelezi  •  Kobie Coetsee  •  F.W. de Klerk

The secret history of the negotiations that led to Mandela's release from prison, the ANC becoming the government of South Africa, and the end of apartheid.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stephen Clarke  •  Mick Gold  •  Stewart Lansley
CAST:  Nelson Mandela  •  Mangosuthu Buthelezi  •  Kobie Coetsee  •  F.W. de Klerk
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