Winnie Mandela recently sat down with CNN to share her thoughts on actress Jennifer Hudson playing her in an upcoming biopic about her life.
“I have absolutely nothing against Jennifer, but I have everything against the movie itself,” she said. “I am still alive and I think it is total disrespect to come to South Africa, make a movie about my struggle and call that movie some translation of a romantic life of Winnie Mandela. I think it is an insult.”
This wouldn't be the first time Winnie has had something to say. In May, 2010, she sent letters to producers of the film threatening to enforce legal action if she's not allowed to view the script. But, that apparently never happened.
While Winnie makes a fair argument about including her, since she is still alive, one can't help but wonder if she would feel any different if Hudson was African. It's no secret that South Africans would rather represent themselves.
In December, 2009, The Creative Workers' Union voiced their opinion, and said foreign actors should not play leading roles in South African movies because it undermines the growth of the local creative industry.
