Saturday 30 November 2013

My long night in Mandela's prison cell: How Idris Elba was trapped and terrified in Robben Island prison

My long night in Mandela's prison cell: How Idris Elba was trapped and terrified in Robben Island prison

The star begged to be locked up in solitary on Robben Island to better understand Mandela, the man he plays in Long Walk To Freedom. But when the door clanked shut, things got really ‘weird’...

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom has taken 17 long years to get to the screen
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom has taken 17 long years to get to the screen
When the steel bars locked on a tiny cell in the bowels of Robben Island, Idris Elba lay down on a two-centimetre thick mat, his ‘bed’ for the next 12 hours, and began to contemplate the true challenge of playing Nelson Mandela, one of the most inspirational figures of the 20th century.
Elba begged the authorities that run the notorious former prison, where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in captivity, to let him spend a night there. At first, they refused. 
‘But I persisted, it was important,’ Elba tells me. 
‘Robben Island is a museum now – no one had spent a night in there since the 1980s. 
'So they took me to one of the punishment cells. 
'It was exactly the same dimensions as Mandela’s cell [8ft x 7ft] with a concrete floor and a bucket in the corner. 
‘Spending the night in there gave me a little taste of what it was like to be locked up in Robben Island for all those years,’ says Elba.
‘And it’s funny, because of insurance they insisted that I take a phone in case I needed to get out. 
‘They said, “If you need to, just call. The security guard is about a quarter of a mile away and he will come and open the gates.” So the guy locked the door and I watched him walk away.
'He locked a second door, a third door, and then a fourth. And then he was gone and it was eerily quiet. 
‘There was a single lightbulb on in the cell but outside in the walkways it was very dark. It dawned on me that I wasn’t getting out any time soon. 
'And then I glanced at my phone and there was no signal!’
Nelson and Winnie Mandela on their wedding day in 1958
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom
The real Nelson and Winnie Mandela on their wedding day in 1958 (left); Idris Elba with Naomie Harris (Winnie Mandela) in Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom (right)
It was a long night. Elba admits that there were times when he was seriously spooked.
‘It was really unsettling and I swear that place is haunted. It’s dead quiet – quieter than you can imagine – and every so often I’d hear a clang or something knocking against the bars down the corridor. And there was no one else but me there.
‘I was woken by a shaft of really cold air and I thought, ‘Someone is coming in.’ I thought it was coming from the window but it was tiny. 
'And at the same time this really big flock of seagulls started flying right above the cell. It was a weird experience. 
'It helped me understand a little of the mindset of a man who was incarcerated for so long.’
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is based on the autobiography of the same name, and as well as covering his 27 years in prison examines his decision to advocate violence, against the wishes of the elders who controlled the ANC (African National Congress), making him one of the most wanted men in the country. There are harrowing scenes of his imprisonment on Robben Island. 
It also reveals how Mandela, a ladies’ man, fell madly in love with Winnie Madikizela, 18 years his junior (played by Naomie Harris).
Idris Elba is one of the most highly regarded actors in the world after his portrayal of drug dealer Stringer Bell in The Wire and a maverick cop in Luther. Neverthless, playing a living legend gave him pause for thought
Idris Elba is one of the most highly regarded actors in the world after his portrayal of drug dealer Stringer Bell in The Wire and a maverick cop in Luther. Neverthless, playing a living legend gave him pause for thought
The film has taken 17 long years to get to the screen and along the way some of the biggest names in Hollywood have been in the frame to play the lead, including Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington and Will Smith.
Veteran South African producer and anti-apartheid campaigner Anant Singh has been a close friend of Mandela’s since he was released in 1990, and he was the driving force behind the film. 
‘I first wrote to him while he was still in prison, in 1988, and said that I was interested in making a film about him,’ recalls Singh.
‘And he said, “Would anyone really want to see a film about my life?” He is a very modest man – and a remarkable man. 
'I had meetings with a lot of big Hollywood stars down the years and they’d say, “I want to do it, but I’m not sure I can.”
‘Every actor is intrigued and they think, “Great, I can win an Oscar”, but it’s hugely daunting.’
British actor Elba wasn’t sure himself if he was up to it when Singh and director, Justin Chadwick, who directed The Other Boleyn Girl, first approached him. 
'Spending the night in there gave me a little taste of what it was like to be locked up in Robben Island for all those years,' said Idris Elba (pictured with director Justin Chadwick on the Robben Island set)
'Spending the night in there gave me a little taste of what it was like to be locked up in Robben Island for all those years,' said Idris Elba (pictured with director Justin Chadwick on the Robben Island set)
Nelson Mandela in his confinement cell where he had been incarcerated for twenty seven years
Nelson Mandela in his confinement cell where he had been incarcerated for twenty seven years
He’s one of the most highly regarded actors in the world after his portrayal of drug dealer Stringer Bell in The Wire, a maverick cop in the BBC series Luther, and roles in films such as American Gangster and Prometheus. Neverthless, playing a living legend gave him pause for thought.
One early concern was that he didn’t resemble Mandela.
‘The fact I look nothing like him was huge,’ he says.
‘I relied on costume and we had to be really detailed about how he looked, the way he wore his hair. 
'It was a long time in the make-up chair, up to four hours every morning, before I’d go on set. 
'Playing him at different ages was also a challenge – he had a different voice, a different energy as a younger man, and by the time he came out of prison his voice had changed.’
Event was given exclusive access to see Elba in action and speak to the filmmakers on set. 
Winnie (Naomie Harris) outside the court after Nelson Mandela has been sentenced to life in prison
Winnie (Naomie Harris) outside the court after Nelson Mandela has been sentenced to life in prison
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is based on the autobiography of the same name, and as well as covering his 27 years in prison examines his decision to advocate violence
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is based on the autobiography of the same name, and as well as covering his 27 years in prison examines his decision to advocate violence
We watched as he delivered a speech to young ANC supporters in a  rundown township in Johannesburg, from the back of a truck. 
The extras, in late 1940s period costumes, were all locals. 
‘We told them, “This is your story,” and they embraced that,’ says Chadwick. ‘But with some of the riot scenes they got caught up in it. 
'In one scene we filmed some burning cars and I think a couple of cars were on fire that weren’t meant to be burned. 
‘When we were finished there was black smoke everywhere. It’s a very raw country and there are some very raw feelings there, particularly in the townships. 
'That history we are recreating is very present and for a lot of those people it brought it back.
‘We took all these images from his life, which had been part of our research, and he knew exactly where he was at the time, who he was with, what had happened on a given day. His memory is incredibly sharp.’
'Playing him (Mandela) at different ages was also a challenge - he had a different voice, a different energy as a younger man, and by the time he came out of prison his voice had changed,' said Idris Elba
'Playing him (Mandela) at different ages was also a challenge - he had a different voice, a different energy as a younger man, and by the time he came out of prison his voice had changed,' said Idris Elba
Elba hoped to meet his subject, but in the end Mandela’s health prevented it. 
‘I’m glad I didn’t,’ says Elba, ‘because I wanted to understand him from a different perspective.
'We had a great script, I’d read and re-read his autobiography, watched documentaries, done the research, but at the end of the day I had to do my performance. And I didn’t want to do an imitation.’
Elba and Harris met Winnie Mandela, though, as well as their two daughters, Zenani and Zindzi. 
‘They said: “He’s a great man but he’s also our dad!”
‘Winnie said: “He was a freedom fighter but he is a man, too, flesh and blood, and he has flaws.” 
‘She encouraged me to be courageous. She said it felt like the first portrayal of her family that she had seen that meant something.’ 
‘Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom’ is released on January 3


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/event/article-2515010/Mandela-Long-Walk-To-Freedom-How-Idris-Elba-trapped-terrified-Robben-Island-prison.html#ixzz2mBARzbPj
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Tuesday 26 November 2013

Photos: Naomie Close ups at Hollywood premiere of 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom'




























Photos: Noamie and Idris arrive at the Governors Awards in Hollywood 16th November 2013

Naomie Harris and Idris Elba arrive at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center on November 16, 2013 in Hollywood, California.












Naomie Harris and Jon Voight arrive at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center on November 16, 2013 in Hollywood, California.
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Naomie Harris looks anything but blue in a peekaboo cocktail dress as she poses with Idris Elba at Mandela screening

Naomie Harris looks anything but blue in a peekaboo cocktail dress as she poses with Idris Elba at Mandela screening 

Leading lady Naomie Harris, who plays Winnie Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, looked effortlessly chic at the screening for highly anticipated new film Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.
Wearing a sheer ice blue dress teamed with black heels, Naomie bared a little skin with a slash at the chest of the Burberry Prorsum look.
And the perfect accessory to finish her fashionable look was her handsome leading man Idris Elba, who looked his usual dapper self in a grey suit.
Demure: Naomie Harris arrived in a pale blue floaty mini-dress teamed with black heels and a matching purse
Demure: Naomie Harris arrived in a pale blue floaty mini-dress teamed with black heels and a matching purse
Demure: Naomie Harris arrived in a pale blue floaty mini-dress teamed with black heels and a matching purse
Stars of the show: Naomie was joined by Idris Elba who plays President Mandela in the biopic based on his memoir
Stars of the show: Naomie was joined by Idris Elba who plays President Mandela in the biopic based on his memoir
In fashion: Idris and Naomie pose with director Justin Chadwick and U.S. Vogue Editor Anna Wintour
In fashion: Idris and Naomie pose with director Justin Chadwick and U.S. Vogue Editor Anna Wintour
However it was a little more demure than her choice of outfits in recent weeks where she has been snapped out in an array of body-baring sheer creations.
Idris plays Nelson Mandela in the biopic film which is based on South African President Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name.
It chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison during the apartheid era before becoming President.
'I discovered that Winnie is probably the feistiest character I’ve ever played,' Harris recently told The New York Daily News
Sweetest Thing: U2 members The Edge, Bono, Wintour, Larry Mullen, Jr., Adam Clayton and Idris pose together before the film
Sweetest Thing: U2 members The Edge, Bono, Wintour, Larry Mullen, Jr., Adam Clayton and Idris pose together before the film
'I thought she was just the woman who stood by Nelson’s side. I didn’t know about her huge contribution in her own right, and the fact that he might not have become [who he was] without her.'
The screening was attended by the high priestess of fashion Anna Wintour herself who was one of the event's hosts along with U2, Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Bob & Harvey Weinstein. The screening was supported by British fashion brand Burberry.
With any luck the talented actress may land the prestigious Vogue cover that has eluded her so far. 
The event was attended by over 800 guests including Salman Rushdie, Grace Coddington, Olivia Palermo and boyfriend Johannes Huebl, Martha Stewart, and Helena Christensen.
Scarlet lady: Anne V outshone Naomie Harris in a clinging scarlet printed dress with black belt and heels as she arrives at the Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom in New York City on Monday night
Scarlet lady: Anne V outshone Naomie Harris in a clinging scarlet printed dress with black belt and heels as she arrives at the Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom in New York City on Monday night  
Simply flawless: The 27-year-old star showed off her stunning porcelain skin in subtle make-up
Simply flawless: The 27-year-old star showed off her stunning porcelain skin in subtle make-up
U2 members The Edge, Bono, Larry Mullen, Jr., Adam Clayton and U.S. Vogue editor Anna Wintour posed with Idris and Naomie before the film.
Perhaps it was the chiller New York temperatures that did it, but the other glamorous ladies in attendance at Monday night's special Mandela screening chose to cover up.
Sports Illustrated model Anne V managed to outshine everyone,  including leading lady Naomie Harris at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City in a stunning bright red knee-length dress.
The 27-year-old star, real name Anne Vyalitsyna, wore her blonde hair loose around her face in tousled waves with subtle make-up highlighting her flawless porcelain skin.
Anne joined a slew of models and actresses at the special screening
She's in fashion: Anne struck some model poses on the carpet before watching the biopic
She's in fashion: Anne struck some model poses on the carpet before watching the biopic
She's in fashion: Anne struck some model poses on the carpet before watching the biopic

Showstopper: Helna Christensen showed off the stunning looks which made her one of the world's top supermodels in a black dress, tights and red heels
Showstopper: Helna Christensen showed off the stunning looks which made her one of the world's top supermodels in a black dress, tights and red heels 
The white stuff: Olivia Palermo sported a chic trench coat over a floral grey and black dress with suede boots to the event
The white stuff: Olivia Palermo sported a chic trench coat over a floral grey and black dress with suede boots to the event 
Autumn colours: Iman sported a grey coat with furry collar, black knitted sweater and platform heels
Autumn colours: Iman sported a grey coat with furry collar, black knitted sweater and platform heels 
The actress, who has signed on to play Miss Moneypenny in the next Bond film, said she found the role her most challenging ever. 
'So when I read the script, it was a massive shock and I realised that I had inadvertently said yes to this role that was the most challenging role of my life so far. Nearly killed me!'
Anna Wintour attracted plenty of models to the event, with Helena Christensen showing the looks which made her one of the world's top supermodels in a black dress, tights and red shoes. 
Model moments: Shanina Shaik wore a strapless multi-coloured ensemble, while
Model moments: Shanina Shaik wore a strapless multi-coloured frock while Jessica Stam sported a more casual sweater, shirt and trousers
Model moments: Shanina Shaik wore a strapless multi-coloured frock while Jessica Stam sported a more casual sweater, shirt and trousers
Formal attire: Chanel Iman looked a lot more glitzy than the majority of the attendees in a white strapless fishtail gown
Formal attire: Chanel Iman looked a lot more glitzy than the majority of the attendees in a white strapless fishtail gown
Contrast in styles:Model Teresa Moore looked sophisticated in black with cut out panels, while fellow fashionista Alyssa Miller sported a stunning blue and white embroidered skirt
Contrast in styles: Alyssa Miller sported a stunning blue and white embroidered skirt
Contrast in styles:Model  Teresa Moore looked sophisticated in black with cut out panels, while fellow fashionista Alyssa Miller sported a stunning blue and white embroidered skirt
Iman, 58, showed off her stunning figure in an autumnal outfit consisting of a grey coat with furry collar, black knitted sweater and platform heels.
Victoria's Secret star Chanel Iman, meanwhile went for a much more formal look in a sleeveless white floaty fishtail gown. 
Olivia Palermo also plumped for white, sporting a chic trench coat over a floral grey and black dress with suede boots.
Hell for leather: Martha Stewart arrived looking rather edgy in black trousers boots and leather and furry jacket
Hell for leather: Martha Stewart arrived looking rather edgy in black trousers boots and leather and furry jacket
Shades of black and blue: Julie Henderson sported a grey tunic over leather trousers
Shades of black and blue: Julie Henderson sported a grey tunic over leather trousers, actress Sami Gayle wore dark blue leather jacket over a snakeskin playsuit
Shades of black and blue: Julie Henderson sported a grey tunic over leather trousers, actress Sami Gayle wore dark blue leather jacket over a snakeskin playsuit and actress Alysia Reiner was more risky in a sheer lace top and leather skirt
Black and blue shades: Julie Henderson sported a grey tunic, actress Sami Gayle wore dark blue jacket over a snakeskin playsuit and actress Alysia Reiner was more risky in a sheer lace top and leather skirt
Even better than the real thing: Bono was chased down the streets by young girls and autograph collectors after the event
Even better than the real thing: Bono was chased down the streets by young girls and autograph collectors after the event
Searching for peace: Bono and his wife tried for dinner at a local pub in New York before they were chased by autograph hounds
Searching for peace: Bono and his wife tried for dinner at a local pub in New York before they were chased by autograph hounds
The chase: Bono tried to escape his adoring fans
The chase: Bono tried to escape his adoring fans








Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2513637/Naomie-Harris-looks-blue-peekaboo-cocktail-dress-Mandela-screening.html#ixzz2lkK09gs1
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