On Thursday, Nov. 13, the Fuse Film Series hosted a showing of “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” in Cody Commons from 4 to 6 p.m.
This film shows the journey of Nelson Mandela, a South African lawyer who joined the African National Congress in the 1940’s. Forced to abandon peaceful protest against apartheid in favor of armed resistance after the Sharpeville Massacre, Mandela and his comrades are sentenced to life in prison for treason.
Mandela then lived in prison for 27 years before becoming South Africa’s president and working to rebuild the country’s once-segregated society.
“I have always taken an interest in Nelson Mandela,” said Carly Hinchberger, Morrison, Colo. freshman. “I was curious to see the film and learn about him, as well as his background.”
The film traces Mandela’s rise to power, showing in detail the perilous journey taken by him and his faithful followers. The attendance was small in number for this film showing, but those who watched said they were impacted by the course Mandela took during the time period depicted in the film.
“I thought the film was empowering and realistic to his life,” said Kimberly Voeller, St. Francis senior. “This film shows how people in a country react when they are treated unfairly, and who the main leader is that stands for the people, builds the coalition, and starts the movement and change within the country.”
“The purpose of Fuse Films is to bring light to various aspects of diversity that may not get mentioned on a regular basis,” said Amber White, series coordinator. “It also seeks to spark conversation, ignite unity, initiate harmony and instigate unity.”
White has been showing such films for the past three years. She has previously shown films of all categories, from documentaries to older classics. In the past few years, she said the Fuse Film Series has shown movies such as “The Blind Side,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Precious” and “Death at a Funeral.”
There will not be any more showings for the fall 2014 semester, but there will be two showings during spring 2015. “Dear White People” will be shown on Feb. 11 and “The World Before Her” will be shown on March 9, both in Cody Commons