See Mandela film in Stratford to support charity

And Stratford Picturehouse is hosting a special charity screening of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom - the epic story of the South African leader’s life - this Sunday to help raise funds to support children and communities affected by HIV-AIDS, poverty and violence in Africa.

Thomas Roberts, manager of the picturehouse, which was opened in 1997 by Sir Ben Kingsley, said: “We are very excited to be working with Goodwill and Growth For Africa UK (GAGA) on this screening. They do wonderful work and should be supported.”

Charlie Homer, director of the charity, which is based in Bidford on Avon, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the picturehouse on this special screening of the Mandela film. The generosity of the picturehouse and Fox Entertainment has been a real boost to our work in South Africa and elsewhere.”

Sharing its title with Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, the film, starring Idris Elba as Mandela, is a fact-based storytelling of his life. Starting out as a young lawyer who participated in non-violent protest, Mandela’s activism then led to 27 years of imprisonmen for sedition against the apartheid regime. The film, directed by Justin Chadwick, puts his relationship with his then wife Winnie (Naomie Harris) in the spotlight, attributing his politicisation in part to her.

The charity screening on Sunday (January 12) starts at 2pm. For tickets, call 0871 902 5741.

GAGA UK was originally set up by a group of students in 2002 as God’s Golden Acre UK with the purpose of buildoing a children’s home and outreach project in South Africa. Its income then grew and work expanded and in 2010, the charity changed to a more inclusive name. To find out more, visit GAGA-UK.org