Pine Slopes

This is just a short note to encourage you to have a look at a documentary I have just edited called WELCOME NELSON which will be broadcast by etv on wednesday 10 february at 8pm.

This documentary takes a different angle on the 20th anniversary celebrations of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison.

The release is analysed in terms of Guy Debord’s theory of the spectacle and views the event as an entirely staged media coup for the Machiavellian F.W. De Klerk.

Instead of the customary portrayal of Dr. Mandela as a liberating Messiah he is shown to have been taken completely by surprise by his release, pleading with De Klerk to allow him to stay inside for longer, and tragically identifying with his white warders in what must be one of the most acute cases of Stockholm Syndrome in history.

The never-before screened behind the scenes footage of the press conference and first speech provides a fascinating glimpse into how the news media shape and manipulate our memories of the future.

The documentary is shot, produced and directed by CRAIG MATTHEW
sound design and original music score DANIEL EPPEL
sound recordist WARRICK SONY
theme song SIMONE WHITE
editor ARYAN KAGANOF

2010, 23 minutes
first broadcast wednesday 10 february 8pm on etv

more information on Guy Debord’s Society of the Spectacle is here.