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OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK ACQUIRES "MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM" FROM THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY
Los Angeles, CA - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today that it has secured the network television rights to "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," the critically acclaimed film from the Weinstein Company based on the 1995 book Long Walk to Freedom and former South African President Nelson Mandela, starring Idris Elba and Naomie Harris. OWN has licensed the first broadcast window behind pay television beginning in 2017.
"Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" chronicles Mandela's early life, coming of age, education and 27 years spent in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country's once segregated society. Idris Elba ("Prometheus") stars as Nelson Mandela, Naomie Harris ("Skyfall") stars as Winnie Mandela, with Justin Chadwick ("The Other Boleyn Girl") directing.
"We couldn't be more honored to showcase this powerful film to the OWN viewers," said Erik Logan, president, OWN. "Nelson Mandela was Oprah's hero, and ultimately, the inspiration behind Oprah's school in South Africa. His story of forgiveness and redemption is a gift not only to the people he touched, but to the world."
Commented TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein, "We're delighted that this film has landed a television home at Oprah Winfrey's OWN network. Partnering with them ensures the picture will continue to honor the memory of Nelson Mandela for years to come."
ABOUT OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand - and the magnetism of the channel. Winfrey provides leadership in programming and attracts superstar talent to join her in primetime, building a global community of like-minded viewers and leading that community to connect on social media and beyond. OWN is a singular destination on cable. Depth with edge. Heart. Star power. Connection. And endless possibilities. OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications. The network debuted on January 1, 2011 and is available in 85 million homes. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com.
ABOUT THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY
The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as SCREAM, SPY KIDS and SCARY MOVIE. Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes. TWC releases took home eight 2012 Academy Awards(R), the most wins in the studio's history. The tally included Best Picture for Michel Hazanavicius's THE ARTIST and Best Documentary Feature for TJ Martin and Dan Lindsay's UNDEFEATED. THE ARTIST brought TWC its second consecutive Best Picture statuette following the 2011 win for Tom Hooper's THE KING'S SPEECH. Currently in release are UNFINISHED SONG and FRUITVALE STATION, LEE DANIELS' THE BUTLER, THE GRANDMASTER, SALINGER, MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM and AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY.
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