Posted by | Cyrena Rose
THR is reporting President Obama is planning a special White House screening of The Weinstein Co.’s Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
Stars Idris Elba and Naomie Harris are set to attend the Nov. 7 event, along with Nelson Mandela‘s daughters Zindzi and Zenani Mandela.
The film will also screen Nov. 10 at the upcoming AFI Festival & Nov. 20 at the Kennedy Center, with Hillary Clinton hosting the gala.
Obama paid a tribute visit to Robben Island jail in June, the facility where Mandela was imprisoned for nearly two decades. The film premiered Sunday at an event in Johannesburg that was attended by Mandela’s former wife, Winnie Mandela.
Said TWC co-chairman Harvey Weinstein:
Knowing what a strong relationship President Obama has with President Mandela, it’s an honor for this film to be shown at the White House.
The awards contender is based on Nelson Mandela’s autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming president and working to rebuild the country’s once segregated society.
Justin Chadwick directed the movie, which premiered in September at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival.
The South African premiere was Sunday, Nov. 3 in Johannesburg with much of Mandela’s family in attendance; the first public showing on African soil of the film.
Mandela will have its U.S. theatrical release Nov. 29 in New York and Los Angeles.
Pictured above are: Actors Riaad Moosa, Deon Lotz, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Terry Pheto, director Justin Chadwick, actors Naomie Harris, Idris Elba and producer Anant Singh attend the “Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom” premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 7, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)