1988. ** minutes. Directed and produced by Peter Davis, Villon Films.

TOPICS: history, politics, apartheid, liberation, human rights

USES: S, U, G, A and V.

SYNOPSIS
Remember Mandela reveals the persona from the time he was a young man. It suggests something of the extraordinary power of his empathetic personality which left its aura on everyone with whom he interacted. The film's story is told through interviews with some of his relatives; his sister, Mabel Notamcu; his wife, Winnie; fellow prisoner Fikile Bam; activist Helen Joseph; and trade unionist and co-treason trialist, Paul Joseph. Others who speak include Oliver and Adelaide Tambo and others. They relate how Mandela's stature elicited respect, even deference, from his prison warders and the treason trial prosecutor. Joel Joffe, Mandela's defense council, recalls how Mandela deliberately "convicted himself" by challenging the authority of the white court and the legitimacy of the police state, how he used the court to make political statements that would be banned elsewhere. Winnie talks about how Nelson continued the struggle in prison itself, working for prisoners' rights and turning "Robben Island into Mandela University". (See also Robben Island, Our University.)

CRITIQUE
Remember Mandela is a well structured and accessible story. The film assumes a knowledge about the history of the non-violent struggle up until 1961. However, it lacks information on Mandela's philosophy. No explanation is provided on why Mandela went into "politics". Neither is information provided on his role in the youth movement within the ANC which led to a break with its earlier pacifist policies.

Further Reading
Benson, M. (1964). The African Patriots: the story of the African National Congress of South Africa. New York: Encyclopedia Britannica Press.

Mandela, N. (1990). The Struggle is My Life. London: IDAF.

(Written by Keyan G Tomaselli and MSU Evaluators, 1990)