Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is not a South African film but a British one. There’s more South Africa in District 9 than in Mandela. It begins well enough: Idris Elba (a British actor) quickly assures us that his portrayal of Mandela will be professional. But then things start to get too smooth as the film translates messy historical events into a clear narrative. No one can stop progress, and progress is always represented by a great man. If this film were made by a South African, there would be much less certainty about the promises of progress. (CHARLES MUDEDE)