'Life is Wonderful: Mandela's Unsung Heroes'

Just when you thought you knew everything about Nelson Mandela – South Africa’s anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999 – along comes writer/director Sir Nick Stadlen. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) hosted a private screening at Georgetown’s AMC Theater preceded by a reception at Dyllan’s Raw Bar and followed by a discussion featuring H.E. Mninwa J. Mahlangu, Ambassador of South Africa for his new movie: Life is Wonderful: Mandela’s Unsung Heroes.

About the film: “Discover the story behind the famous Rivonia Trial, where Nelson Mandela fought for the freedom of South Africa and changed history. Everyone knows about Mandela’s brave fight against apartheid. But he did not act alone. In this award winning new film, based on never before seen interviews, former English High Court Judge Sir Nick Stadlen tells for the first time the story of Mandela’s co-defendants and lawyers. It is an inspiring story of courage and self-sacrifice on the part of a small multi racial group of idealists who took on the might of a ruthless police state. It sowed the seeds of the peaceful transition to a multi-racial democracy when Mandela emerged from prison 27 years later.”

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“We discovered that there were three surviving codependents of Mandela and three members of his legal defense team still alive, and with razor sharp memories whose stories have not been recorded. Since they were and are such inspiring stories, we thought that they should be recorded.” Stadlen told us. “And if I was a young South African, disillusioned with the then corruption and craze, I would want to know that my physical freedoms have been won by such heroic figures, some of whom are still alive, and they are very inspiring stories.”