Madela: Long Walk to Freedom

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Release Date: January 3rd 2014

A chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

Director: Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl)

Starring: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris

During Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom's London premiere, Nelson Mandela passed away. Zindi and Zenani Mandela, Nelson's daughters, attended the premiere and were informed of their father's death during the screening. They were asked if they wanted to postpone the screening but they decided against it. The rest of the audience were unaware and were only told at the end. A 2 minute silence took place after out of respect. Prince William and Kate also attended the same premiere.

Biopics surge in popularity when the focused person has passed away. It's too early to tell with LWTF in this respect. A biopic about an incredibly loved idol such as Nelson Mandela will attract attention regardless of the horribly coincidental situation. This isn't a tale of Mandela's fabled life. This story has been adapted from his autobiography. This is Mandela's story, and no others.

There's a central focus on Nelson (Idris Elba) and his second wife Winnie. The film starts to pick up when Mandela is ditched by his first wife, meets Winnie and becomes a member of the ANC (African National Congress). Elba oozes this bold enigma that no other can match. His accent is spot on, with little gripe to mention. It'll be a wonder if he is neglected from the 2013 award ceremonies.

Whether you know a lot about the history of Nelson Mandela or very little, LWTF is upsetting as it is beautiful. There's a major contrast between Mandela's early life in the suburban village he grows up in to what goes on in his time in the city of Johannesburg. Mverzo (hometown) comes with glistening sun-rays that makes the area look enticing. Johannesburg on the other hand has a constant dusty sheen kicked up by all the anger and the suffering that apartheid has caused.

Mandela's 26 year imprisonment rallies the black people of South Africa. What Mandela goes through is difficult to show due to such a time frame being difficult to cover for a film that's over two hours.

Overview: Idris shines as Mandela, never taking away the man that is known. Contains heartbreaking moments that will stay with us forever.