DIRECTORS: Nicolas Champeaux, Gilles Porte
PHOTOGRAPHY: Samuel Lahu
EDITOR: Alexandra Strauss
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Oerd Van Cuijlenborg
SOUND: Gautier Isern, Elisabeth Paquotte, Gregory Vincent, Christophe Vingtrinier 
WITH: Quartus de Wet,
Denis Goldberg, Ahmed Kathrada, Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, Andrew Mlangeni, Max Sisulu, Donald Trump, David Yutar, Percy Yutar

REVIEW

"Through the prism of the Rivonia Trial, which handed down life imprisonment sentences to Nelson Mandela and nine other defendants in 1963, filmmakers Nicolas Champeaux and Gilles Porte throw the spotlight on the epic struggle against apartheid. Cameras were not permitted in court, but the whole trial was audio recorded – some 256 hours’ worth. Key figures – defendants, their wives, their lawyers, the prosecutor’s son – spurred by the trial’s proceedings, which they listen to through headphones, recall events and the period. We also participate in crucial moments during cross-examinations: the dignity and reasoned statements by the defendants are devastating. The audio recordings are accompanied by black and white animation, bringing the voices to life, which intermingles with archival footage, to powerful effect."

— Sandra Reid, New Zealand International Film Festival 2019

“[In] this… absorbing, uplifting documentary… Mandela’s landmark speeches remain intensely stirring… but the film’s winning card is fresh interviews with an impressive range of key figures from around the trial including Winnie, lawyers George Bizos and Joel Joffe, defendants Denis Goldberg, Andrew Mlangeni, Ahmed Kathrada and his former girlfriend Sylvia Neame… The people interviewed are sharp and witty, carrying their heroism lightly and revealing a strength of character that sustained them through lengthy imprisonment and beyond. All of them devoted their lives to what they believed to be right and seem all the more admirable for acting without the comforting knowledge of knowing that history would be on their side.”

— Allan Hunter, Screendaily

FILM SOCIETY SCREENINGS

Whanganui     
Monday 3 August, 7.30pm

Hamilton     
Monday 10 August, 8.00pm

Queenstown     
Tuesday 18 August, 8.15pm

Nelson     
Tuesday 8 September, 6.00pm
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Palmerston North     
Monday 21 September, 6.00pm

Auckland     
Monday 28 September, 6.30pm
 
Carterton     
Friday 9 October, 7.30pm

New Plymouth     
Wednesday 28 October, 6.00pm
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French Cinema presented with the cooperation of the Embassy of France and Institut Français