Today on AirTalk, we continue to remember former South African president Nelson Mandela, who died yesterday at age 95. We'll talk about some of the music he inspired, the divestment movement at UC Berkeley and Mandela's visit to California. What are your memories of Nelson Mandela? Later, our film critics are here to review this week's releases, and we'll talk about the plethora of documentaries eligible for Oscar nomination.
Remembering Nelson Mandela: From inspiring dissident to global icon
After a lifetime of activism, Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black, democratically elected president, will be laid to rest on December 15 in his native home of Qunu. As the once divided Rainbow Nation mourns the loss of the man known affectionately by his clan name, Madiba, the impact of Mandela's life is being felt worldwide.
In a tribute to the 95 year old statesman, President Obama described him as "one of the most influential, courageous, and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth."
From the world of entertainment, actor Idris Elba, who plays Nelson Mandela in a new biopic just released said "What an honor it was to step into the shoes of Nelson Mandela and portray a man who defied odds, broke down barriers, and championed human rights before the eyes of the world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Just months after his release from a 27 year prison sentence in February 1990, Nelson Mandela came to Los Angeles as part of countrywide goodwill tour. On June 29, Mandela addressed a crowd of thousands at the Coliseum, where Los Angeles County Supervisor, Zev Yaroslavsky met him. "He was a larger than life figure, a beacon of strength, principle and character. I still remember the day I met him and how moved I was when I had the opportunity to shake his hand. All of us who value freedom and human dignity have lost a giant of the human race."
A book of condolence will open at the South African Consulate in Los Angeles from Monday December 9 to Friday December 13 from 10am to 2pm.
Guests:
Steven Van Zandt, musician, songwriter, producer who co-produced and wrote the 1985 anti-apartheid song and album, “Sun City”.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, (D-CA) U.S. Congresswoman serving California’s 43rd District - comprised of South Los Angeles; Before her election to Congress, she was a leader in the movement to end Apartheid and establish democracy in South Africa.
Reverend Kelvin Sauls, South African minister based in L.A; Sauls was raised in Johannesburg
Pedro Noguera, an early organizer of campus anti-apartheid demonstrators at UC Berkeley. He is now a Professor of Education at NYU and the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Center for Urban Education
'Sun City': The anti-apartheid song remembered
American musician Steven Van Zandt wrote and co-produced the 1985 anti-apartheid song and album “Sun City.” We'll talk to Van Zandt about the inspiration of his songs and why he thought it necessary to record the song at the time.
Guest:
Steven Van Zandt, musician, songwriter, producer who co-produced and wrote the 1985 anti-apartheid song and album, “Sun City”
A congresswoman's career defining work
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, (D-CA) takes time to reflect on the loss of “one of the most impressive figures of the 20th century.” Waters talks about her part in the divestment movement, calling her efforts during the anti-apartheid movement the defining work of her career.
Guest:
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, (D-CA) U.S. Congresswoman serving California’s 43rd District - comprised of South Los Angeles; Before her election to Congress, she was a leader in the movement to end Apartheid and establish democracy in South Africa.
Memories from the apartheid in South Africa
Reverend Kelvin Sauls shares his memories of what it was like growing up in South Africa during the apartheid.
Guest:
Reverend Kelvin Sauls - South African minister based in L.A, Holman United Methodist Church; Sauls was raised in Johannesburg
Memories from the epicenter of the divestment movement in California
We talk to an early organizer of the divestiture movement and anti-apartheid demonstrations at UC Berkeley. Students, celebrities, elected officials and church organizations demonstrated and led some universities, including UC Berkeley to divest in companies that were doing business with South Africa.
Guest:
Pedro Noguera, an early organizer of campus anti-apartheid demonstrators at UC Berkeley. He is now a Professor of Education at NYU and the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Center for Urban Education
Filmweek: Out of the Furnace, Inside Llewyn Davis, Narco Cultura and more
Larry is joined by KPCC critics Peter Rainer, Lael Loewenstein and Charles Solomon to review this week’s releases, including Out of the Furnace, Inside Llewyn Davis, Narco Cultura and more! TGI-FilmWeek!
Out of the Furnace
Inside Llewyn Davis
Narco Cultura
Guests:
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor; author or “Rainer on Film: Thirty Years of Film Writing in a Turbulent and Transformative Era”
Lael Loewenstein, film critic for KPCC and Variety
Charles Solomon, animation film critic for KPCC and author and historian for amazon.com
What's the cure for the Academy's bloated documentary category?
Once again, Hollywood is gearing up for awards season. Last year, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences introduced a new rule into the Documentary Feature Category aimed at limiting the number of qualifying documentaries.
Now, a documentary is required to be reviewed by the New York Times or Los Angeles Times in order to be included in the category. Instead of narrowing the field, a record-breaking 149 films are eligible this year.
Should there be different qualifying rules for the Documentary Feature Category? What are the quality of the documentaries that are eligible? How interested are you in documentaries?
Guests:
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor; author or “Rainer on Film: Thirty Years of Film Writing in a Turbulent and Transformative Era”
Lael Loewenstein, film critic for KPCC and Variety
Charles Solomon, animation film critic for KPCC and author and historian for amazon.com; Author, "The Art of Frozen"