Morgan Freeman talks about playing Mandela

Read More ]"/> Morgan Freeman has told of reinventing Nelson Mandela for a film about the peacemaker’s appearance in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

“We did a good job of reinventing and bringing him (Mandela) back,” said Freeman at the premiere of Invictus, which was directed by Clint Eastwood.

The World Cup took place in a South Africa recently freed from apartheid and Mandela used the tournament to bring blacks and whites together. In an iconic moment, he presented the trophy to captain Francois Piennar after the final at Ellis Park, wearing the South Africa jersey.

Of the film, Freeman said: “It’s about people, it’s about human interaction, it’s a story about South African history. I think it’s universal.”

Invictus’s premiere was attended by local celebrities, Mandela’s former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and their daughter Zinzi.

South African actor Patrick Mofokeng, who plays Mandela’s bodyguard in the film, said: “It was an awesome experience to have taken part in this movie. I don’t think there is any other person who would be able to play the role of Nelson Mandela other than Morgan Freeman. He is Mandela.”

source: Splash News

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