“Winnie” Biopic Under Cloud of Controversy

story by http://filmgordon.wordpress.com/2010/01/26/winnie-biopic-under-cloud-of-controversy/

The former wife of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is outraged that plans for a film about her turbulent life is moving forward – without her consultation or participation.

The biopic, “Winnie” is set to star Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson and will be directed by South African film-maker Darrell J. Roodt, whose work includes “Cry, The Beloved Country” and “Sarafina.” Roodt’s film will focus on her turbulent life and marriage to global icon Mandela. Madikizela-Mandela has expressed frustration over being left out of the production process.

In a letter leaked Tuesday to South African media, Madikizela-Mandela’s lawyers told the filmmakers she was “extremely concerned” to hear about the film, saying “she has never been approached for consent or at all,” according to The Star newspaper.

“It is difficult to understand how a production bearing the name of an individual who has not been consulted at all could ever be appropriate or tell the full story of that individual’s life as media reports suggest this production is intended to,” said the letter from her attorney Bowman Gilfillan, according to the paper.

“This is certainly the case here, where our client has not responded to allegations and comment which have been made about her, precisely because she has sought to protect her sphere of personal privacy as best she can in extremely difficult and turbulent times,” it added.

The film had already stoked controversy in South Africa when Hudson was tapped to play the role, sparking outrage among local actors who complained that South African talent had again been overlooked by Hollywood.