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Idris Elba's 'Mandela' to screen for President Obama at White House

Idris Elba stars in 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,' a biopic created with the support of Nelson Mandela and his family. Idris Elba plays the former South African president.

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Keith Bernstein/The Weinstein Company/AP
Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela appears with Naomie Harris as Winnie Mandela in a scene from 'Mandela: Long walk to Freedom.' President Obama will screen the film Thursday at the White House. Mandela’s daughters Zindzi and Zenani Mandela will join, as will the film’s stars, Idris Elba and Naomie Harris.
  • By Staff Associated Press

| NEW YORK

The Nelson Mandela biopic "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" will get an audience from President Barack Obama, as well as a screening at the Kennedy Center hosted by Hillary Clinton.

The Weinstein Co. tells The Associated Press that Obama will screen the film Thursday at the White House. Mandela's daughters Zindzi and Zenani Mandela will join, as will the film's stars, Idris Elba and Naomie Harris.

The film will also screen Nov. 20 at the Kennedy Center, with Clinton hosting the gala.

Though there have been other films about the former South African president, "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" has long had Mandela's approval and the cooperation of his family. It premiered Sunday in Johannesburg with much of Mandela's family in attendance.

"Mandela" opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 29.

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