Invictus has been showered with praise abroad, with US film critics giving it the thumbs-up for its conciliatory, emotional and empathic stance on unity, reconciliation and forgiveness.
However, despite these accolades, many observers believe the movie will go down in SA history as the one that drew more controversy than praise.
Here at home, newspapers headlines, radio talk shows, tavern and office gossips continuously speak of ‘SA stories cannot be told by foreigners'.
Many critics are angry that SA actors - the people who know their story - have landed ‘less glamorous parts', while the foreigners got the most important roles and stole the limelight.
Reports said Morgan Freeman, who stars as Mandela in the movie, struggled to pronounce some local names and words during the shooting, again drawing the ire of ‘nationalists' and ‘patriots', who believe the practice of bringing international stars into South African productions without consultation compromises and distorts national identity.
The Creative Workers' Union of South Africa (CWUSA) said this week attitudes such as these undermine the local film industry.
CWUSA secretary-general Oupa Lebogo said: “We deplore the lack of consultation in bringing international stars here. We all know the procedures if you want to work in these developed countries - you have to get a work permit.
“But international artists come here just like walking in the park. We should apply the same stringent measures.”
While some show their anguish openly through the media, others speak vociferously behind the scenes.
A source who declined to be identified said; “While we have a lot of respect for uTata, we should also realise that it is history and we cannot live in the past.
“What matters now is food on the table, pay bills, and make it big in the international scene. Our industry is struggling. We lack opportunities and funds, but we have so much talent. We are tired of foreigners always taking the lead in our own backyard as if we were some stupid morons. That is why we want our people to be put first.”
Invictus (meaning ‘unconquered' in Latin) - portrays the courage and verve of Mandela in his rejection of hatred and grudges, and his desire to reconcile with the ‘enemy'.
However, while many thought the buck stops with Invictus, the saga just got uglier. Reports said that another US actress, Dreamgirls Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson, is due to play former Mandela's wife and SA's ‘mother of nation', Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, in an upcoming movie.
ANC Women's League deputy president Nosipho Dorothy Ntwanambi was quoted this week by The Citizen as saying: “One can't read a book about our history and claim to know our way of living.”
And the criticism goes on and on…
*Other SA movie stories told by US actors include, among others:
