Jason

I see both sides of this argument. I feel Roodt has thought this out thoroughly though, like directors should when they’re casting for their films. We cannot dispute the fact that Jennifer Hudson is talented- hell she has an Oscar and a Grammy, which only a few have managed to achieve in this industry. I think she will do a super job and I’m hoping there will be some knowledge-sharing, workshop type events whilst she’s in the country… That’s one of the solutions I propose!

Hand wringing idiot

All directors are egomaniacs.

Pride

if i understand the debate properly, it not about the lack of talent in SA or Hudson’s talent. The debate is about how South Africa’s stories are told. it is a sad reality that we live in a country where we cant fund our own stories, that we have to resort to a bankable start to just tell our stores.
the issue is African constantly cap in hand to producers to just do anything. i think there are a number of talented people in SA to hold workshops on knowledge sharing.
We love Jennifer but this just highlights something about the country itself, not so much about her.
Look at Bollywood – a flourishing industry, with Hollywood featuring stars…

Just because Roodt directed an anti-apartheid movie it doesn’t make him immune to criticism. He should

Patlegrand

I do not dispute the fact that there are no pool of talents in SA , but directing a film is about producing a quality work and make money . If you want SA actors or actresses buy the right to the story and produce it with SA actors only and it will sell couple of R100 . By the way , I lived in Pretoria (Arcadia) and now in the US . I do not think that Jennifer is the Greatest talent there is to offer . Winning the US “American Idol ” and acting and lucky Grammy for “Dreamworks” that by themselves do not constitute ample talents or body of work. It is like Mr Prez Barack wining the “Peace Nobel”.
Let look at the bottom line … Money , Mullah,Green , Ma bucks, l’argent … will this film make money with an SA lead actress . NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. That the way it is , get over it that is life . Some thing are meant to be . Need to cast SA talents produce and finance your own movie . will you make a lot of money .NO

crazygalwithbiggreeneyes

@Patlegrand just to correct you,Jen never won American Idols…she was in the top 6 i thnk,and the movie she won a Grammy for is called ‘Dreamgirls’.

conaiza

I think Yvonne Chaka Chaka will make a stunning Winnie Mandela. Period. Money or no Money.

sinebhongo

Dont be player haters people this has got nothing to do with South African talent,wether the person who is acting the part is from here or its not gonna make a difference ,the important part is the story is going to be told ,People who were not the during that time will know exactly what happened .

Leslie Mashishi

My view is simple. African stories must be told by Africans. The whole issue of investment is hogwash. Africans have played in movies that made it big. Think Tsotsi, White Wedding and Leon Schuster’s movies. Africans irrespective of colour or creed have made those movies. But I just think that we must create our own Hollywood, like they did in India with Bollywood. Our artists must pull their resources together and they can build a huge industry. For example if artists in South Africa and Nigeria can combine we surely will see a huge entertainment industry.

nthaby

we need to start writting our own stories before we can act or produce them, we dont have SA people writting our stories and the americamn\ns will continue writting them and telling them for us.

pedido

Tiger Woods movie script is been written write before our eyes. Who’s going to play him.

pedido

Beyonce would have been the right person to play her. Look at the beauty, i don’t doubt that Chriselda Kananda has the same beauty but who will she bring back the moola, i doubt it.I don’t mind Jennifer playing it because i reason with my mind and not my heart. Why can’t South African actors and directors write scripts of South African icons and tell our stories themselves instead of waiting for someone to come up with an idea and funding and then point accusing fingers at them. Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon have just reprised a role in Invecticus (sorry about the spelling) but there was no brouhaha. It shows that our black actors and directors are biased in their criticisms. Ben Kingsley played a good role as Ghandi despite the cries in India and till today Ghandi is a great movie to watch. What about Cry Freedom, Drum, Long Walk to Freedom.etc. Why Now.

Jason

@Leslie Mashishi Tsotsi was funded internationally. In order to get the cast over apparently KFC came on board as a sponsor. Where was the arts and culture department then?

Movies= business. Big names= money. Big names in South Africa= exposure. The actors being cast alongside J Hud should capitalise on those opportunities, learn and grow! Arts and Culture need to fight for more money… In that way these stories can be told and our talent can stay here and sustain a suitable lifestyle!

Zen

Why not now? When is it going to be our turn? The director and the one of the producers are both South African, they have established profiles – Andre Pieterse directed iLollipop. Surely by now Roodt and Pieterse can dictate their terms and tell the money how things should work. I think it is time we took each other seriously and change our approach to projects. If we approach each project with a view of gaining the most benefit for the collective rather than putting individual needs first – than maybe we can built a reputable film industry.

It’s not too late, Roodt and co. can still change their minds and cast a South African beauty. Telling our stories is about more than the money, it is about reclaiming our heritage and our place in the world. Do you think Americans would let one of ours play Jackie Onassis? Michelle Obama? Never!

Collin

This is a South African movie portraing a South African woman’s life only South Africans can understand it (Roots)

Thami

It is a shame,but if we do not invest in our own stories the who are we to judge.We can comment all we want but what are we gonna do about it? NOTHING

nhele

vey tru this is all about manking money nothing much

JULES

Watt Now! let support umuntu wa bantu,meaning people of the people, i’m surely mony or not for mony Yvonne chaka chaka could plays a role of winnie Madikizela-Mandela, she’s a beautifull and lovely women who had show and faiting the apartheid in AFRICA by her music. We all supported her, go ahead ,AMANDLA……(ukombothi)

Phillippe

I see our xenophobic ways are proving that we are still a racist nation. If we cast South Africans in these films no one will go and see them. Blacks in America were the only reason that Tsotsi made any money. Is this how we repay them?Our local actors do not have the experience or the talent to play these roles in Hollywood films. Soapies are not exactly what I’d call high quality work. How many South African films have we had that have profited successfully at the box office internationally? NONE! And let’s not kid ourselves, we don’t have a film industry here. We have soapies that only South Africans watch. All awful and don’t help our actors improve in their profession. That’s why Theron, Vosloo, Copley, Savante, Krige, and Grant are all overseas. If Winnie herself is comfortable with Hudson playing the part the rest of us should shut up and be grateful that our country is being depicted. Otherwise we look racist and naive. If these American films stop shooting here lots of us will be out of work. So let’s stop the sense of entitlement, shall we?

Nogout

I think that Jennifer Hudson , will do a great job. Why not if the Director cant find someone in South Africa to do the job, he’s got every right to go outside. Why not? Myself I cant wait for the movie – Let just stop delaying the process. Why do people have to start worying now. We had different people playing our south african Movie. Steve Biko, Mandela etc.

thandi

There are double standards here, when Morgan Freeman plays Mandela that’s ok but if it is Jennifer than it must be a South African. All we need is someone who is going to act not to patronise people.