This story is based on James Gregory's book Goodbye, Bafana: nelson mandela, My Jailer and My Friend. A Farewell to Bafana is a true story, which tells the remarkable changes in the life of the prison director of former South African President Nelson Mandela during his 27-year prison career. Dennis haysbert plays the African National Congress politician and Nobel Peace Prize winner in the American TV series "24 Hours". James Gregory's wife is played by German actress diane kruger. On February 1 1 day, 2007, the film held its world premiere ceremony on 17 after nelson mandela was released from prison.
Can you give us an overview of the plot of the movie Goodbye Bafana? What does it want to tell us now?
Billy august: The protagonist James Gregory came to Robin Island in the late 1960s. He is just an ordinary person, with no education, and just wants to be a dedicated guard. He is an active advocate of apartheid and thinks that blacks should be second-class citizens. Because he can speak Bantu (the local language) used by the Xhosa people, he got a job in the censorship agency, and then he can contact Mandela every day. He regarded Mandela as the most terrible terrorist in the world, just as we look at bin Laden today. However, due to Mandela's wisdom and charm, James gradually changed some ideas and interests and began to consider the democratic liberation of South Africa.
Halfway through the story, the organization decided to transfer James from Robin Island to Cape Town. Because of their unique friendship, Mandela asked James Gregory to take charge of guarding him again, so Mandela changed several different prisons and James followed him all the time. The plot of this film ends with 1990, and Mandela is released. So far, they have been together for more than twenty years! It is worth mentioning that James completely changed his deep-rooted racial prejudice because of Mandela's friendship. He has also become living evidence of Mandela's views on our inner goodness and the ability of human beings to transform themselves.
This is an important story, not just for South Africa-it shows the importance of liberating the whole world. I believe that there are even more contradictions and conflicts so far, and reconciliation is the only way for us human beings to survive.
There are two main characters in Goodbye Bafana, whose story is the most important?
Billy august: In this movie, we look at nelson mandela through his opponent's eyes and James Gregory's point of view. This is somewhat similar to the story of Mozart. Mozart's story was told by salieri, the chief court musician, which made Mozart more remarkable and refined the whole story. In Farewell to Bafana, I think this narrative perspective will make Mandela more attractive and extraordinary. In this context, people can easily learn more about his energy and spirit.
Who does the title "Bafana" refer to?
Billy august: "Bafana" means "best male friend" in Bantu language used by Xhosa (herders living in Cape Town). James Gregory grew up on a farm. He is a lonely child, and his only friend is a little black boy. The title of the film refers to that kind of friendship, which eventually prompted him to meet Mandela.
Goodbye Bafana tells two love stories, one is James Gregory and his wife, and the other is nelson mandela's. Do you know if they contacted each other later?
Billy august: I know that James Gregory met with Mandela several times after his release, but we must remember that Mandela's release from prison is a brand-new beginning and more significant for South Africa. That was the beginning of Mandela's goal in life. However, James Gregory's life goal was Mandela, which was a painful moment for Mandela to leave prison. For Gregory, this means "Goodbye Bafana".
How did you conduct your research?
Billy august: Investigating South African movies means that we must watch all movies about South Africa, especially movies about nelson mandela. For example, in his unique speech, it is very important to master his body language and accent correctly. Dennis Shebert is actively learning from a South African language expert. In my opinion, the most important thing is authenticity. I stayed in South Africa for nearly half a year, just to study the local people and try my best to understand and feel what apartheid was like. I visited many clients, including prisoners at that time, former prison guards, etc ... I have also been to Robin Island many times. In a word, I am fully prepared.
James Gregory died in 2003. Have you contacted him?
Billy august: When I started to accept this project, James Gregory died, so unfortunately, I have never met him, but I have met his wife Gloria and his children many times. I asked her a lot about their life in Robin Island and some questions about apartheid. She was a great help.
What was the shooting situation of real venues in those historical years, and how did it cooperate with the leading actors and extras living under apartheid?
Billy august: I think we have to shoot this film in a real venue. I have to say it was an incredible experience, South Africa and its staff. They are very experienced because a large number of American and European films are shot in South Africa. In addition, the theme of this film is an old scar that has been uncovered. I'm not saying this is a taboo topic, but it still hurts. So making this film is of great significance to both the people and the crew.
How did you choose to play this role in joseph fiennes? Judging from the films he has made, it seems that he is not the best candidate for James Gregory?
Billy august: When we started the whole casting process, there were seven candidates on the list, and joseph fiennes was one of them. A few days later, I got a call from Joseph, saying that he was eager to play James Gregory. I met him once and soon found that he knew the role very well. We also hope that someone can play a role with a great age span in the whole movie. Joseph is a very powerful actor, and most importantly, he knows the role very well. In my opinion, desire and energy mean everything.
What makes dennis haysbert play the role of nelson mandela perfectly?
Billy august: We really want to find an actor who can show Mandela's wisdom, and we also hope that he can meet his age. Our only impression of Mandela today is an old man, but he is much younger in our story, so we need someone to complete this transformation. I met dennis haysbert, who was keen on playing Mandela. For actors, playing celebrities usually wants to retire, because the public already has their own ideas. Dennis, on the other hand, dared to think and do, and also expounded his views on Mandela, feeling that he had completely grasped the essentials of this role. I think he is fully qualified for this role.
This film covers nearly 20 years. How did you know Mandela in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s?
Billy august: I think few people knew about Mandela in the 1960s, but in the late 1970s and 1980s, when Mandela's massive liberation movement began, people began to know about him, and he gradually became a global symbol of freedom and South African democracy. To my surprise, after serving his sentence for 27 years, he can still say, "For the survival of this country, we must forgive each other and get to know each other. Reconciliation is the most important thing. " But for his efforts, a civil war would have broken out in South Africa.
What do you think of South Africa today? Is society progressing?
Billy august: For Mandela, this country was originally a different place. It is a miracle that such a great man still lives in our time. Here, you begin to understand that it is a huge and arduous task to successfully establish a democratic and free country after so many years of apartheid. They have democratic politics now, but they can't get rid of poverty for the time being. It is in this extreme poverty that crime is inevitable. All African countries are still enduring years of colonialism and poverty crisis. I think it will take a long time to overcome this. The most lacking class in Africa is the middle class who can pay taxes and increase what we call social wealth. As long as this class is lacking, Africa will continue to struggle. But I know that the South African people are determined enough to solve these problems, and everyone is working hard.
April 17, 2006 "Goodbye Mandela" started shooting for 44 days. The shooting team *** 1 15 people, many of whom are recruited from South Africa, work more than 12 hours a day on average and shoot at least 6 days a week. After arriving in South Africa in March, Joseph Vance and diane kruger learned about the place, the role and the historical background of South Africa in a short time, and learned the South African accent. It took a long time to make up and dress up to show the age changes in the film for 20 years. In order to perform Zhan Mu Gregory's fluent dialogue, Joseph Vannes had to learn Xhosa. Dennis hayes had to speak in two different languages, one was Xhosa, and the other was Mandela's unique sound quality and accent.
In order to restore history, the film visited and filmed Bosmore Prison, Robin Island and Victoria West, showing the true face of Mandela's 20-year prison life. After being imprisoned in Robin Island for nearly 20 years, the brave political fighter was transferred to Bosmore prison on the outskirts of Cape Town. In order to prevent assassination, prison officials kept the place where Mandela was imprisoned very tight, and only a few guards knew that Mandela had been held here. After several twists and turns, Mandela was finally imprisoned in Vitosi. He was placed under house arrest in a hidden house. This is also where Mandela was released. Robin Island is now a memorial museum, while Bosmo is being renovated, while Victoria West is keeping the original appearance of Mandela's residence at that time.