2018 marks the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela. He seized center stage during a historic trial in 1963 and 1964. But there were eight others who, like him, faced the death sentence. They too were subjected to pitiless cross-examinations. To a man they stood firm and turned the tables on the state: South Africa’s Apartheid regime was in the dock. Recently recovered sound archives of those hearings transport us back into the thick of the courtroom battles.
Roughly 265 hours of recordings were finally exposed from the Rivonia trial in 1963 involving Nelson Mandela and other leaders who were accused of maliciously plotting acts of violence, disorder, and chaos against state and municipal officials. In a private facility purchased in Rivonia used as the headquarters, they were said to have written out a plan called Production Requirements which was a detailed objective used to carry out their mission. Documents included the use of over 200,000 hand grenades, 144 tons of ammonium nitrate and 15 tons of black powder; experts say it was enough to blow up Johannesburg. Police claim they found documents in the back yard stating 1963 would be the year of the liberation of the white man’s domination.
As we hear the audio of these brave men speak up against apartheid and injustice, I can’t imagine how they felt in that courtroom during a time where everyone surrounding them, including the judge, was working against them. This beautiful documentary takes you through the trial as Mandela’s wife Winnie and the remaining men listen to the audio revisiting those frightening moments believing the worst possible outcome and at the same time displaying so much strength and hope as they were determined to create change or die trying.
This is a great piece of work and these recordings are an important part of history that future generations should never forget. Definitely a must-see film!
Opens at the IFC Center in New York City Wednesday, Feb. 19th
