Montblanc hosted the U.S. premiere of their Power of Words
film project at NeueHouse in New York City on Friday, December 5th in
celebration of Nelson Mandela's life and the positive ways in which he
transformed societies and lives worldwide.
This screening fell on the heels of the film project's international
premiere, which was held in Cape Town, South Africa on November 13th with
Mandela's family in attendance.
Created in partnership with Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) and
the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Power of Words project inspires filmmakers
to explore the written legacy of influential figures using film. The series,
made possible by Montblanc, takes a look at the teachings and writings of
Nelson Mandela as inspiration.
Five filmmaker teams interpreted a selection of Nelson
Mandela's quotes, shooting and editing five short narrative films based on the
South African leader's words. Special guest contributor and world-renowned
photojournalist Steve McCurry also translated Mandela's words into images,
creating a specially curated photography exhibition inspired by the project
that will open in summer 2015 at the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Directors commissioned to bring the words of Mandela to life
over the last six months are Mira Nair, Ramin Bahrani, Eva Weber and James
Marsh, Hank Willis Thomas, Zippy Kimundu and Nabil Elderkin. Five of TFI's Tribeca Film Fellows - US-based
high school and college students who completed a year-long fellowship through
the Institute - were selected to work in partnership with the established
filmmakers to produce the short films. Their participation underscores the
importance of connecting Mandela's legacy to present generations.
"As a Maison rooted in the culture of writing, we are
delighted to see the extraordinary words of one of modern history's most
inspiring figures interpreted in film," explains Mr. Jérôme Lambert,
Montblanc International CEO. "We share Nelson Mandela's belief in the
importance of meaningful words and education. His unique vision for democracy,
peace, social equality and learning lives on through the power of his words,
and we hope that through each of these films, others will continue to be inspired
by his legacy."
The screening and celebration, co-hosted by Caroline Rupert,
was attended by Tribeca Film Institute Co-Founder Jane Rosenthal, Africa Rising
Foundation Co-Founder Kweku Mandela, Chrissy Teigen, participating director
Nabil Elderkin, members of the Tribeca Film Institute and an intimate selection
of international guests.
The Power of Words project was first launched by Montblanc
in April 2013 to bring together a new generation of filmmakers through the
iconic words of visionary leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela,
using his legendary and most powerful quotes in feature short films that give
new meaning to his legacy and vision. A
short film, directed by Nabil Elderkin, was projected in partnership with Times
Square Alliance in New York's iconic Times Square every night shortly before
midnight for a month. The film celebrates his peaceful vision in the form of a
captivating and dynamic art installation.
Montblanc, along with partners TFI and the Nelson Mandela
Foundation, announced the continuation of the Power of Words for a short film
project at the 90 Years celebration of the iconic Meisterstück writing
instrument in April 2014 in New York City.
Mandela and
Montblanc: A Special Bond
During his later years, Nelson Mandela forged a special bond
with Montblanc, treasuring the fountain pen he took everywhere. He came to think of his pen as a loyal
companion, naming it his "Presidential Pen". This bond is described
in "Good Morning, Mr. Mandela", a memoir by Mandela's loyal aide and
private secretary Zelda la Grange. Said
la Grange:
"On one occasion he went to Sandton City, a big
shopping mall on the outskirts of Johannesburg. He was determined to buy a pen
and the security detail took him to the Montblanc store."
"Until he got ill, Madiba wore the pen in his pocket,
referring to it as a Presidential Pen. It was a fountain pen that regularly had
to be refilled with ink."
"Madiba had very few personal things that he was
religiously holy about. His two pens, his wristwatch, his empty wallet, his
ivory walking stick and the holder for his reading glasses, as well as his
hearing aids. The most important, of course, was his wedding ring (...). These
items had to be neatly placed beside his bed every night and they were the
first items he looked for when he woke up."
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