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“I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if it need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” - Nelson Mandela’s impassioned speech to the prosecutor of “The Rivonia Trial.”

Apartheid is rampant in South Africa, 1963. When ten men are arrested on a farm in Rivonia for conspiring to commit sabotage and violent acts against the repressive S. African government, tenacious lawyer Bram Fisher steps up to the challenge as lead counsel. He soon finds that political leader Nelson Mandela is also on trial. Mandela urges his fellow defendants to plead not guilty and shine light on the systemic corruption against the African people. As the outcome of the trial looks bleak, Mandela gives his famous “I’m Prepared to Die” speech, discussing how the ANC’s resistance is justified. But will Mandela’s impassioned speech save these men’s lives?

The State vs. Nelson Mandela (An Act of Defiance)

  • Dutch Film Awards - Best Actor

  • Dutch Film Awards - Best Screenplay

  • Cape Town Film Festival - Best Actress

  • Cape Town Film Festival - Best Screenplay

  • Mill Valley Film Festival - Golden Audience Award

  • Movies that Matter Film Festival - Audience Award

Production Status

Completed

Genre:

Political Thriller


The Trailer:

Starring

  • Peter Paul Muller (The Dinner Club)
  • Sello Motloung (Man to Man)
  • Greg Viljoen (Cape of Good Hope)
  • Antoinette Louw (A Million Colours)
  • José Domingos (The Salvation)

Director

Jean van de Velde (The Price of Sugar, Wild Romance, The Silent Army)

Producers

Richard Claus (The Silent Army, Black Butterflies, The Price of Sugar)
Michael Auret (The Salvation, Young Ones)
Hugh Rogers

Press

  • An Act of Defiance is a polished struggle film for the patient viewer
  • An Act of Defiance review – Brilliant account of Bram Fischer
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