The Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela
Part documentary, part dramatic re–enactment, The Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela is both a story about the African National Congress in exile from the perspective of the footsoldiers, and also a son’s journey towards reconciliation with a father. Harris began the film as a tribute to Benjamin Pule Leinaeng, his late stepfather. The project soon became a full exploration of one of the most eventful times in South African history, mixed with personal remembrances of Leinaeng’s time in the United States. Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela won Best Documentary Awards at the 2006 Los Angeles Pan African Film Festival and the Santa Cruz Film Festival, received Honorable Mention as Audience Favorite at the Bermuda International Film Festival, and was nominated for a 2006 Independent Spirit Award.
The Twelve from Bloemfontein in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania in 1961. From the B. P. Leinaeng Photographic Archive
PRESS
“Harris pays tribute to Benjamin Pule Leinaeng, the stepfather who raised him, by traveling to South Africa and excavating the late Leinaeng¹s life as a political activist [in] the ANC and whose real-life exploits play like a James Bond film. Harris¹ trademark elegant visual style (owing much to both high-end fashion magazines and experimental film and photography) is put into the service of dramatic re-creations that flesh out documentary commentary from old friends and political allies, while family photos and home video become potent artifacts in the transformation of grief into celebration” – LA Weekly.
“An important documentary” – The New York Times
“Intensely personal yet historically expansive” – Time Out New York
“Inspiring” -The Tennessean ”
“Intimate and intriguing.Ó Joanne Weintraub” – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“A fascinating hybrid” – New York Magazine
“Harris’ historical re-enactments are impressively colorful and detailed” – New York Press
“…represents a strong calling card for U.S.-born helmer Thomas Allen Harris” -Variety
AWARDS
-Henry Hampton Award for Excellence in Documentary Film – Roxbury Film Festival
- Best Documentary – Pan African Film Festival
- Best Documentary – Santa Cruz Film Festival
- Revolution Award – Imagenation Festival
- Honorable Mention as Audience Favorite – Bermuda International Film Festival
- Independent Spirit Award Nomination – Truer Than Fiction Category
- 2005 Toronto International Film Festival – World Premiere
- 2005 MACUFE Festival, Bloemfontein – African Premiere
