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Sophiatown (2003)
Character: Self
Little Bird's first South African production, SOPHIATOWN has won the award for Best Documentary at the Cape Town World Cinema Festival 2003. SOPHIATOWN celebrates the great popular jazz music of the 1950's in South Africa; a rich tradition deserving international attention. Director Pascale Lamche, traces the music, uncovers the artists who created it and the unique culture in which it thrived, concentrated in Sophiatown, Johannesburg's own Harlem, which fuelled by liberation politics until its destruction by the Apartheid regime. The film features Nelson Mandela and such household names from the jazz world as Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Abdullah Ibrahim, Jonas Gwangwa and Caiphus Semenya.
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Fragmente/Palästina (2025)
Character: Self (Archive Footage)
Produced whilst the genocide in Gaza was being broadcast live, the essay film Fragments/Palestine uses a montage of historical archive footage, television broadcasts and photographs to take a stand on the responsibility of Western media, thereby formulating its arguments into a militant manifesto in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for liberation.
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Plot for Peace (2013)
Character: Self (archive footage)
This is the untold story behind History, a well-kept secret behind the world-wide icon: Nelson Mandela's release was a Plot for Peace. For the first time, heads of state, generals, diplomats, master spies and anti-apartheid fighters reveal how Africa's front line states helped end apartheid. Their improbable key to Mandela's prison cell was a mysterious French businessman, dubbed "Monsieur Jacques" in classified correspondence. His trade secret was trust
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Bill Moyers: Beyond Hate (1991)
Character: N/A
Hate has many faces: racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, sectarianism, domestic violence. But do we really understand its roots, and are there practical ways to cope with it? What is hate doing to us? And what does hate do for us?
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Mandelas Kinder (2019)
Character: N/A
A 90-year-old grandfather tells his 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren about his life over five days - while the camera is rolling. But it's not just any grandfather. It is Nelson Mandela, in a last great conversation, intimate, unprotected, funny. The film is directed by his grandson Kweku. The footage has never been seen before.
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São Paulo Abraça Mandela (1991)
Character: Self
Documentary about Nelson and Winnie Mandela's visit to the city of São Paulo, recording their encounter with the black community and social movements active in the city. The film shows the official reception and the importance of their presence in the process of recognizing the role of Afro-Brazilians in the formation of the country.
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Miller Meets Mandela (1991)
Character: Self
For the first time since his release from 27 years of imprisonment Nelson Mandela opens up about his life and the turbulent times he's faced in this momentous, in-depth and revealing interview with Arthur Miller. From the intimate setting at his home in Soweto, South Africa, Mandela discusses the popularity and rise to power of the ANC movement and the pivotal role it played in the overthrow of the Apartheid regime. Plus he shares his thoughts on the future of South Africa, exploring both his hopes and fears in relation to the political, social and economic prospects of the country, putting particular emphasis on his 'Freedom Charter' - his personal vision for South Africa.
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Voices from the Island (1994)
Character: Self
Nelson Mandela and his fellow ex-prisoners recall their incarceration on South Africa's Robben Island. For three decades, the island housed not only political prisoners but convicts, lepers and the mentally ill. Yet amidst the hopelessness, Nelson Mandela and his comrades devised strategies and subterfuges with which they transformed life on the island, while the vision of a new South Africa began to take shape.
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Franz Klammer – Der Skikaiser wird 70 (2023)
Character: Self (archive footage)
ORF chief director Michael Kögler met the legend again 30 years after his multi-award-winning documentary “Die Franz Klammer Story”. Never-before-broadcast material from the ORF archives provides deep insights into the career and life of the most successful downhill skier in alpine skiing history.
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Mandela (1996)
Character: Self
A documentary that chronicles the life of South African leader Nelson Mandela. Mandela is probably best known for his 27 years of imprisonment, and for bringing an end to apartheid. But this film also sheds light on the little-known early period of Mandela's life.
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Troublemaker (2026)
Character: Self (voice) (archive sound)
Newly discovered audio interviews with Nelson Mandela himself delivers an honest, accurate and definitive depiction of the man who remains a global symbol of justice, hope and universal human dignity.
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Death of Apartheid (1995)
Character: Self
The secret history of the negotiations that led to Mandela's release from prison, the ANC becoming the government of South Africa, and the end of apartheid.
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25 jaar Beatrix (2005)
Character: Self
Live broadcast on the occasion of Queen Beatrix's twenty-fifth anniversary of her reign. In the Knight's Hall in The Hague, members of the First and Second Chambers and members of the Cabinet gather for a Special Joint Session of the States General. The Queen and her family are present at the meeting. Subsequently, an aubade is performed for the Queen at the Binnenhof. The presentation is hosted by Maartje van Weegen, who speaks in the studio with historian Jan Bank, interspersed with reports on the celebration of Queen's Day in various locations and well-known figures congratulating the Queen. The broadcast is provided by NOS Actueel.
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Ceremonia de inauguración juegos olímpicos Barcelona '92 (1992)
Character: Self
The opening ceremony of the Barcelona Summer Olympics took place on July 25, 1992, at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium before an audience of over 65,000. This historic event was largely orchestrated by the renowned Catalan troupe La Fura dels Baus, which staged spectacular scenes depicting the history of the Mediterranean and the Labours of Hercules. Music played a central role in the evening, featuring great operatic voices; the audience was captivated by performances from Montserrat Caballé, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Alfredo Kraus, and Teresa Berganza. Although he had passed away the previous year, Freddie Mercury was also present—both on screen and in voice—through the broadcast of their iconic duet "Barcelona," which became the definitive anthem of the Games. Additionally, British pop star Sarah Brightman performed the official anthem, "Amigos Para Siempre," alongside José Carreras.
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Shadow World (2016)
Character: Self - Politician (archive footage)
A detailed investigation into the political and economic interests that, since the beginning of the 20th century, have pulled the strings of the arms trade, hidden in the shadows, feeding the shameful corruption of politicians and government officials and promoting a state of permanent war throughout the world, while they cynically asked for a lasting and universal peace.
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The Corporation (2003)
Character: Self (archive footage)
Since the late 18th century American legal decision that the business corporation organizational model is legally a person, it has become a dominant economic, political and social force around the globe. This film takes an in-depth psychological examination of the organization model through various case studies. What the study illustrates is that in the its behaviour, this type of "person" typically acts like a dangerously destructive psychopath without conscience. Furthermore, we see the profound threat this psychopath has for our world and our future, but also how the people with courage, intelligence and determination can do to stop it.
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Whitney (2018)
Character: Self (archive footage)
Examines the life and career of singer Whitney Houston. Features never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive recordings, rare performances and interviews with the people who knew her best.
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Tribeca 25 (2026)
Character: Self
25 years after 9/11, discover how Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal transformed an ambitious effort to revive Lower Manhattan into one of the world's leading cultural institutions. Through rare archival footage, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes access, explore how art can foster community, confront injustice, and help shape culture.
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Democracia em Vertigem (2019)
Character: Self (archive footage)
A cautionary tale for these times of democracy in crisis—the personal and political fuse to explore one of the most dramatic periods in Brazilian history. With unprecedented access to Presidents Dilma Rousseff and Lula da Silva, we witness their rise and fall and the tragically polarized nation that remains.
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Hansie (2008)
Character: Self (archive footage)
"How do you start over once you have betrayed a nation's trust?" The news of Hansie Cronjé's involvement with Indian bookmakers and his resulting public confession rocked the international sporting community. An unprecedented rise to glory was followed by the most horrific fall. A tarnished hero fueled the nation's fury.
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Africa Rising (2019)
Character: Self - Politician (archive footage)
How African artists have spread African culture all over the world, especially music, since the harsh years of decolonization, trying to offer a nicer portrait of this amazing continent, historically known for tragic subjects, such as slavery, famine, war and political chaos.
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Malou möter Nelson Mandela (1999)
Character: Self
Malou von Sivers met Nelson Mandela during his farewell tour of Europe. The conversation centers on Nelson Mandela’s unique life story, his extraordinary zest for life, and his commitment to reconciliation after so many difficult years.
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Fire in the Blood (2013)
Character: Self (archive footage)
An intricate tale of "medicine, monopoly and malice", Fire in the Blood tells the story of how Western pharmaceutical companies and governments blocked access to low-cost AIDS drugs for the countries of the global south in the years after 1996 - causing ten million or more unnecessary deaths - and the improbable group of people who decided to fight back. Shot on four continents and including contributions from global figures such as Bill Clinton, Desmond Tutu and Joseph Stiglitz, Fire in the Blood is the never-before-told true story of the remarkable coalition which came together to stop 'the crime of the century' and save millions of lives in the process.
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Nelson Mandela: Resistance (2017)
Character: Self
History never forgets its heroes, its legends and its victims. During the 20th century there is only one name that stood out and was shouted around the globe, his struggle for fairness and equality spread across the planet and left no one indifferent. Nelson Mandela is a symbol for peace and a synonym for liberty. Explore the life and legacy of a man who alone changed history. With interviews with close relatives and historical archives, this documentary will send you back in time to understand Nelson Mandela and to discover what changed in South Africa.
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Mama Africa (2011)
Character: Self (archive footage)
Miriam Makeba was one of the first African musicians who won international stardom and whose music was always anchored in her traditional South African roots. Miriam Makeba was forced into exile in 1959. She sang for John F. Kennedy, performed with Harry Belafonte and Nina Simone, was married to Hugh Masekela and also Stokely Carmichael. Her life was tumultuous. She always stood for truth and justice. She fought for the oppressed most importantly for black Africans, as a campaigner against apartheid. She died November 2008 after a concert in Italy. Mika Kaurismäki's documentary, traces fifty years of her music and her performing life. Through rare archive footage of her performances and through interviews with her contemporaries we discover the remarkable journey of Miriam Makeba.
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Naomi Conquers Africa (1998)
Character: Self
Naomi and her supermodel friends travel to South Africa to hold a fashion show for Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund charity.
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Das Wikipedia Versprechen – 20 Jahre Wissen für alle? (2021)
Character: Self - Politician (archive footage)
In 2001, Jimmy Wales published the first article on Wikipedia, a collaborative effort that began with a promise: to democratize the spreading of knowledge, monopolized by the elites for centuries. But is Wikipedia really a utopia come true?
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Le Procès contre Mandela et les autres (2018)
Character: Self - Accused (archive footage)
South Africa, July 11th, 1963. Several members of the African National Congress, an organization declared illegal, are arrested in Rivonia, a country house near Johannesburg. The detainees, along with Nelson Mandela, imprisoned since 1962, are charged with serious crimes for their radical activism against the apartheid regime.
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The Moment: How Sports Changed the World (2023)
Character: Self
The story of Nelson Mandela and the South African Rugby team uniting to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup. This monumental moment in sports history paved the way for Siya Kolisi to become the first black South African rugby captain, and left an enduring impact in South Africa – and the world.
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Alger, la Mecque des Révolutionnaires (1962-1974) (2016)
Character: Self
From the early 1960s to the mid-1970s, independent Algeria provided significant support to anti-colonial movements and revolutionaries worldwide. Successive presidents, Ahmed Ben Bella and then Houari Boumédiène, made Algiers a haven for activists fighting against colonial and racial oppression. Algiers the White became Algiers the Red. The internationalist Che Guevara established his base of operations there for his guerrilla activities in Africa. The African-American leader Eldridge Cleaver made it the international headquarters of the Black Panther Party. During this period, Algiers was known as "The Mecca of Revolutionaries."
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The Bang Bang Club (2011)
Character: Nelson Mandela
In the early to mid '90s, when the South African system of apartheid was in its death throes, four photographers - Greg Marinovich, Kevin Carter, Ken Oosterbroek and João Silva - bonded by their friendship and a sense of purpose, worked together to chronicle the violence and upheaval leading up to the 1994 election of Nelson Mandela as president. Their work is risky and dangerous, potentially fatally so, as they thrust themselves into the middle of chaotic clashes between forces backed by the government (including Inkatha Zulu warriors) and those in support of Mandela's African National Congress.
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Her Majesty's Prime Ministers: John Major (2023)
Character: Self
As a school dropout, the teenage John Major could simply never have dreamt that he would one day become a powerful political leader and get elected as Britain's Prime Minister. Major became Her Majesty's ninth Prime Minister.
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Apartheid (1992)
Character: N/A
Apartheid is a 1992 French documentary television movie directed by Jean-Michel Meurice that features archival footage and commentary involving key historical figures such as F.W. de Klerk, Nelson Mandela, and Winnie Mandela.
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Stop The Tour (2019)
Character: Self (archive footage)
Stop The Tour discovers the extraordinary story of how sport helped bring an end to Apartheid which paved the way towards the multi racial 2019 Springbok champions.
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Winnie (2017)
Character: Self (archive footage)
While her husband served a life sentence, paradoxically kept safe and morally uncontaminated, Winnie Mandela rode the raw violence of apartheid, fighting on the front line and underground. This is the untold story of the mysterious forces that combined to take her down, labeling him a saint, her, a sinner.
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White House Revealed (2009)
Character: Self (archive footage)
In this eye-opening documentary about the inner workings of the White House, the most famous residence in America opens its doors for a behind-the-scenes tour and a meet-and-greet with the staff who keep it running in tip-top shape. Highlights include bird's-eye musings from White House workers who've seen it all and an interview with former President George H.W. Bush, who shares his memories about living in Washington, D.C.
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Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony (2002)
Character: Self (archive footage)
The struggle to eradicate apartheid in South Africa has been chronicled over time, but no one has addressed the vital role music plays in this challenge. This documentary by Lee Hirsch recounts a fascinating and little-known part of South Africa's political history through archival footage, interviews and, of course, several mesmerizing musical performances.
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Malcolm X (1992)
Character: Soweto Teacher
A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.
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Children of the Light (2014)
Character: N/A
"Children of the Light" tells the life story of Desmond Tutu of South Africa. With extensive archival footage, family photos and never before seen interviews, this film shares the legacy of one of the greatest peacemakers of our time.
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