Dear Mandela is a 2012 South-African/American documentary focusing on three friends who are members of shackdwellers movement Abahlali baseMjondolo. They fight eviction by making a legal challenge against the KwaZulu-Natal Elimination and Prevention of Re-emergence of Slums Act of 2007 which ends up going to the final court of appeal, the Constitutional Court. The challenge is successful but also results in a violent attack on the Kennedy Road informal settlement in 2009. The film-makers were themselves caught up in the attack.[1]

With the events of the film happening long after Nelson Mandela stepped down as President of South Africa, his promise to house all citizens is still a central question.[2][3][4]

It was written, produced and directed by Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza.[1] The film premiered at the 2012 Brooklyn International Film Festival.[5]

Awards

• Winner - Grand Chameleon Award (Best Film) and Best Documentary, Brooklyn Film Festival.[6]
• Winner - Grand Jury Award, One World Film Festival, Ottawa.
• Winner - Audience Award, Africa World Documentary Film Festival.
• Winner - Best South African Documentary, Durban International Film Festival.[1]
• Winner - Golden Butterfly Award, Movies That Matter Festival.
• Winner - Best Documentary, Montreal International Black Film Festival.
• Nominated - Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Documentary at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards.[1]

References

External links

• Dear Mandela at the Internet Movie Database
• Dear Mandela on Rotten Tomatoes
• Official website