Mandela gives 'thumbs up' for In My Country

The event was hosted by The Mandela Legacy Organisations (the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Mandela Rhodes Foundation).

The remarkable film, due for release in South African cinemas by Ster-Kinekor Distribution on 24 June 2005, was the winner of the Human Rights Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2004.

"'In My Country' is a beautiful and powerful film directed by John Boorman. In telling an exciting and moving story, the film reveals the meaning of the TRC to our country - a meaning that I believe is being understood as time passes," said Mandela in an address before the movie screening.

Set against the backdrop of South Africa's poignant Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) hearings; a sceptical Washington Post journalist, Langston Whitfield (Samuel L Jackson) meets Anna Malan (Juliette Binoche) an Afrikaner poet covering the hearings for South African state media.

Moved by the testimony of the hearings, Langston and Anna begin to both confront the darker side of their existence, and to question their sense of identity, responsibility and nationhood. The intense emotions the journalists are driven to feel however draw them closer together into an adulterous affair.

"It is truly wonderful that South Africa, which has suffered so terribly from racism, is now able to teach the world a lesson in healing. My fond hope is that the film, which is dedicated to Mandela and the oppressed of South Africa, will have captured some measure of this spirit," said director, John Boorman.

Outstanding award-winning actor, Menzi 'Ngubs' Ngubane (Generations, Kwakhala Nyonini, Street Sisters, Ubambo Lwami, Gazlam) displays remarkable flair in his role as Dumi (Anna's sound engineer), starring alongside an accomplished International cast including, Juliette Binoche, Samuel L. Jackson and Brendan Gleeson.

Other noteworthy South African actors in the cast include: Owen Sejake, Sunu Gonera, Harriet Manamela, Sam Ngakane, Aletta Bezuidenhout, Nicki Boraine, Fiona Ramsay, Sam Ngakane, Fana Mokoena, Lionel Newton, Robert Hobbs, Louis van Niekerk, Nambitha Mpumlwana, Thembi Mtshali, Lilian Dube, Jeremiah Ndlovu, Dan Robbertse and Moonyeenn Lee.

Ann Peacock adapted the gripping story from award-winning novel 'Country of My Skull' by local writer and poet, Antjie Krog. The production team includes South African producer David Wicht, as well as South African executive producers Mfundi Vundla (Generations creator) and Sam Bhembe; alongside Chris Auty, Neil Peplow, Duncan Reid and Jamie Brown. Other producers include Robert Chartoff, Mike Medavoy, John Boorman, Kieran Corrigan, and Lynn Hendee.

'In my Country' releases at Ster-Kinekor Junction and Cinema Nouveau cinemas on the 24 June 2005. Full publicity material on the film can be downloaded from www.skpictures.co.za.