Nelson Mandela

Let’s talk about the Madonna thing. Not because Madonna still has any cultural relevance per se , but because a little bit of media buzz may or may not have been the only thing her publicity team was after with the “controversial” Rebel Heart images.

If you’ve somehow managed to stay out of the loop on this one, here’s the brief. On January 2, Madonna (or a PR assistant or something) instagrammed some photo manips, depicting cultural icons like Nelson Mandela, MLK and Bob Marley (also Marilyn Monroe, but that’s not the one people are getting angry about) tied up in the same black string (“ribbon”) Madge can be seen wearing on the album cover.

Oops! Madonna didn't mean to be racist, you guys!

Continue reading: Why Madonna's "Rebel Heart" Pictures (Probably) Were NOT A PR Blunder

Actor and DJ Idris Elba returns to music with an elegant first single entitled 'You Give Me Love' featuring singer and rapper Maverick Sabre. The track is inspired by contemporary pop and R&B, fused with the sound of South Africa.

Idris Elba releases 'Mi Mandela' this November

'You Give Me Love' will be released as part of Idris Elba's latest musical project 'Idris Elba Presents: Mi Mandela', which incorporates both high-profile Western pop sensations; from Mumford & Sons to George The Poet; with virtually unheard of South African genius; including the Mahotella Queens and Nothembi Mkhwebane. It will be released just in time for Christmas through Elba's own label 7wallace and Parlophone Records, and marks Elba's first musical venture since 2010.

Continue reading: Idris Elba On His Way With First Single 'You Give Me Love' [Listen]

‘12 Years a Slave’ was, rightfully, the recipient of huge praise and numerous awards. The remarkable story of Solomon Northrup - portrayed by Chiwitel Ejiofor - was masterfully directed by Steve McQueen. But that success, suggests screenwriter William Nicholson, was to the detriment of his film, ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom'. 

Idris Elba [L] as Nelson Mandela and Naomie Harris [R] as Winnie Mandela

Nicholson said ’12 Years’ "sucked up all the guilt about black people that was available” adding that he thought ‘Mandela’ “worked superbly," but Americans “were so exhausted feeling guilty about slavery that I don't think there was much left over to be nice about our film. So our film didn't do as well as we'd hoped, which was a bit heartbreaking."

Continue reading: 'Mandela's' Lack Of Awards Down To '12 Years' Guilt Hoover, Suggests Screenwriter

The Mandela Film Project have teamed up with Synergy Films to release 'Mandela: The World That Made Him'; a short documentary based on the childhood of late world hero Nelson Mandela.

The 23-minute film explores the glorious rolling hills of the Transkeian Territories and Mandela's spiritual home Qunu, where he spent the happiest days of his life and where he will finally be laid to rest on Sunday (December 15th 2013). 'The World That Made Him' includes scenes of tribal dance and song and the young Mandela's favourite sport Nguni stick fighting, as well as stories told by those whose lives were influenced by him, voiceovers from readings of his own texts such as 'Conversations with Myself' and archive footage of South Africa's greatest protector giving some of his many inspiring speeches.

Watch 'Mandela: The World That Made Him' here:

Continue reading: South African Film Company Unveil Commemorative Mandela Movie For Free Online

Idris Elba’s turn as Nelson Mandela became infinitely more pertinent in the context of the great man’s death on December 5th after a long and ultimately unsuccessful battle against illness. He was 95.

Idris Elba (left) stars as Nelson Mandela, with Naomie Harris (right) playing his companion and Winnie

The Wire actor was tremendously honoured to take on the role, and despite the film being criticized for trying to fit too much into a feature, his performance has been lauded - and all this while he was producing an album about the late South African hero.

Continue reading: Idris Elba Opens Up On Nelson Mandela Album Side Project

Paul Walker Dead: Tributes have been pouring in this week for the late actor Paul Walker, who died in a car crash in Los Angeles on Saturday (November 30). His friend's Porsche Carrera GT crashed into a tree and burst into flames. Read all the tributes here.

Long Walk to Freedom: This week also marked the sad passing of Nelson Mandela, who died after a long illness. Actor Idris Elba plays the legendary figure in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and he's been chatting about his preparations for playing one of greatest leaders in history. Read what Elba had to say here.

Continue reading: A Week In News: Paul Walker Dead, Amazing Spider-Man 2 Trailer, X-Men Apocalypse

The Nelson Mandela biopic Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, saw its most important premiere event recently – a screening in South Africa, attended by the man himself. Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his anti-apartheid activism. After his release, Mandela led South Africa through a difficult transition to its first racially inclusive elections in 1994, a historic event that propelled him to the presidency and inspired many around the world.

Idris Elba (left) stars as Nelson Mandela, with Naomie Harris (right) playing companion and activist Winnie.

According to a report by the AP, Anant Singh, the movie’s South African producer claimed that Mandela enjoyed the screening, at one point asking: "Is that me?" about a heavily made up Idris Elba, who stars in Long Walk to Freedom. Elba reportedly had to sit in the makeup chair for five hours before each filming. Naomie Harris, who plays Mandela’s ex wife and Winnie Mandela, had to go through a similar routine.

Continue reading: South African Premiere Of "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" Preceded By Special Screening For Nelson Mandela

Idris Elba has been admitted to a unspecified UK hospital after suffering an asthma attack whilst on his way to the premiere of new film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. The Brit-actor suffered the attack whilst on board the plane, but was able to be removed from the aircraft whilst it was still in the UK and taken to a near-by hospital to recover.

Long Walk to Freedom has been given mixed reviews

Elba, who stars alongside fellow Brit Naomie Harris (who plays his wife Winnie Mandela) in the film, was forced to miss a press conference due to take place upon his arrival earlier today (2 Nov.), however producers have said that they remain confident that the star will be able to fly out and attend the premiere of the film on Sunday, 3 November, according to Sky News.

Continue reading: Idris Elba Hospitalised After Suffering Asthma Attack On Way To South Africa

The highly anticipated Nelson Mandela biopic, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, will premiere in Canada at the Toronto Film Festival. The film – already collecting Oscar momentum – sees Idris Elba take the leading role, with Naomie Harris in a supporting role as Winnie Mandela.

Elba and Harris star in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

"As soon as we saw it, we knew that it would set the right tone for opening night. It's a movie about what we thought is one of the most important issues of the day - information and who controls it," said Cameron Bailey, the festival's artistic director.

Continue reading: Nelson Mandela Biopic To Debut At Toronto Film Festival

It’s been less than a meteoric rise to the top for Idris Elba, rather a slow slog, with plenty of hard work and adapting in between. He’s been a top-level drug lord in HBO’s The Wire, Captain Janek in Prometheus and Stacker Pentecost in Guillermo del Toro’s action epic, Pacific Rim.

Elba ponders things on Luther

British audiences know him for his turn as Luther in the crime drama of the same name, while U.S folks will recognize him as Stringer Bell. Soon, though, the world will know him as Nelson Mandela in Mandela, a film for which he’s already being touted as Oscar material for.

Continue reading: As 'Luther' Comes To An End, Idris Elba Looks To A Bright Future