Jennifer Hudson’s long overdue project telling the story of the life of Winnie Mandela is finally due to be released at the end of the summer, nearly two years after it debuted at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2011. WINNIE will showcase Hudson as the wife of South African revolutionary President Nelson Mandela. Winnie fought for many years during her husband’s imprisonment to have him freed and helped him continue his fight against apartheid. The synopsis of the film is as follows:
‘A drama that chronicles the life of Winnie Mandela from her childhood through her marriage and her husband’s incarceration.’
Terrence Howard will play the former president Mandela with a supporting cast including Wendy Crewson (Revenge) and Elias Koteas (The Killing). The film is written and directed by Darrell Roodt whose previous work includes YESTERDAY; another film about South Africa, well received by critics upon release in 2004.
As is common in scheduling in Hollywood, this is not the only movie about Mandela due for release this year. Justin Chadwick’s MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, which will focus more on Mandela himself, is due for release a few months after WINNIE. Winnie Mandela will be played by Naomie Harris (SKYFALL) and Nelson Mandela will be brought to life by Idris Elba.
Source: Deadline
