Watch New 5-Minute 'Winnie' Promo Presented By T. D. Jakes (Jennifer Hudson, Terrence Howard)

27 Comments

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• Hispanics for Liberation | July 26, 2012 1:32 PMReply

  You must love the haters...Jennifer Hudson Hispanic Americans will support this film. Support has no color or ethnicity...go jhud

• South African | July 3, 2012 12:17 PMReply

  Since most are worried about the trailer minutes and what is in the trailer. I would have focused on the killings (rubber burning necklace), her court issues and snubbing her ex-husband for wanting peace. I would not have made a love story, she was a beast and a powerful strong african lady. I would have called the movie "The Queen of Mean A fight For Liberation".

• Keith J. | July 3, 2012 10:28 AMReply

  @ Toni and Michele both of you are so correct with your statements. There is a backlash from our brothers and sisters from South Africa. Jennifer Hudson looking at the Trailer did her thing and should be applauded along Darrell J. Roodt without bias from the blog. Winnie Mandela was no saint history tells us...so stop portraying her as if she was South African people.This might be the real problem with this movie deciding if she is a saint or just an evil ruler. There is much debate on this subject matter and her dislike for Nelson Mandela after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

• Toni | July 3, 2012 9:54 AMReply

  There is a backlash regarding American Actors playing South Africans. This movie must be supported people. South Africans do not consider us one of their own trust me. Many of these so call Bloggers are South Africans who are full of hate toward our people. Based upon the Trailer this movie and it's American Actors are Oscar bound. I pray this movie is released with large numbers people, so the white man will take notice. The more you protest this movie, the more popular it is becoming the blogs and bloogers don't lie.

• Monique A. Williams | June 29, 2012 12:17 PMReply

  I didn't think it looked that bad. Terrence Howard was very much himself (not a fan), but I found Jennifer Hudson to be pretty decent. The trailer should have shown more of her speaking instead of the wide-eyed staring tho. Still, I will watch it. Probably.

• Michele | June 28, 2012 5:02 PMReply

  Wow. I am bit surprised by the negative comments. Well, I guess I shouldn't be. There are always critics but why so much venom.
  
  I was in tears after the trailer. Not because the scenes were that dynamic or the accents on point. I was in tears because of Minnie's story, thinking about her life, reflecting on the amazing TRUE story of the Mendelas and their sacrifice. Can we not celebrate that her story is being told?
  
  Can we not be happy that someone had the idea of the film and marvel that they made it happen? Why is it a bad thing to have Academy award winners in the film to attract more people and thus get Minnie's story to a bigger audience?
  
  Why can't a singer also be a actor? It's funny to me that so many people want it to one or the other, and not both. Go on an rock it out Jennifer! More power to ya.
  
  As for the trailer being a spoiler... We already know how the story goes so how can the trailer be a spoiler?! Was it a big surprise that she married Nelson? Oops, they let it out the bag about going to jail. People, the trailer was only 5 minutes or so, from a movie that will be at least 60 minutes. There's plenty more to see. The trailer highlighted what is already common knowledge. No spoiler. Hopefully the 55+ minutes will dig deeper, reflect more.
  
  So I celebrate the efforts of those involve. I marvel over the lives & sacrifice of the Mendelas and I am grateful that their story is being told (regardless). We need more of our stories to be told. I'm SO happy that this one is not be told from the point of view of a White hero/heroin.
  
  Thanks

• Cristal | June 27, 2012 4:42 PMReply

  First of all, it's the first trailer. Obviously, it will be cut down to about 2 min. as the release date is closer. Just because I read a novel doesn't mean I'm not going to watch the movie it's made into because I know the ending. People are picked for parts based on draw and acting ability, sometimes the former more than the later. Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard are proven actors. Would Jennifer Hudson have been my first pick? Maybe not, but I'm sure she'll do justice to the part. Besides, I didn't see any other studios in Hollywood chopping at the bit for this to be made...it's headline cast is 'all black' and they are always so concerned about the 'international' market selling, because somehow Black Americans are not as marketable overseas...smh

• Ashanti Y- DP/Editor | June 27, 2012 3:02 PMReply

  The trailer is too long for me...I get giving the audience enough to make them want to see it....but over 5 minutes is really a long time when it consists of a couple seconds from each shot...you end up giving away all of your footage in the trailer!

• Joseph G. | June 27, 2012 12:23 AMReply

  There are so many bitter people on this site. Why is the author of this post saying because I like the trailer clearly I don't know about the Mandelas. Don't insult your readers. Secondly, stories can be told from different angles. This one is told from a romantic point of view. Calm your self righteous selves down. I feel like it's a bunch of bitter producers, directors, actors, etc who haven't made it. Don't worry there is still hope for you.

• Tamara | June 26, 2012 5:08 PMReply

  It doesn't seem so bad. I must admit I thought of Dave Chappelle in his portrayal of Nelson Mandela during one of the cut skits from The Chappelle Show. LOL His accent was more convincing than Howard's.

• Nadell | June 26, 2012 2:04 PMReply

  To be blatanly honest, this is totally DISGRACEFUL!
  I luv JHud and Howard but seriously this is an injustice to the Mandelas. Out of all the trained actresses in American and Africa, a singer was most qualified....?
  When will these singers have the regard to actually turn down roles? Out of respect to the craft of acting and just admit "I'm not right for this role nor will I do it justice".

• Orville | June 25, 2012 2:26 PMReply

  I think people are being too critical just bashing a movie based on one trailer! Should this biopic gloss over the fact Winnie is a criminal and a killer? Seems like that's what some people want but Winnie Mandela is a murderer and no saint!
  @Bondgirl, nobody cares about an unknown South African actor that's not how Hollywood works. The producers of this movie obviously wanted stars so they hired Jennifer Hudson and Terrance Howard.
  @ Marie one of the reviews I read I think it was the Hollywood Reporter said Jennifer's acting was excellent the problems were with the script not her acting.
  @Orange Moon how is this biopic offensive to Winnie Mandela when it points out the fact she's not perfect? I understand Winnie has done a lot for South African but the woman is a murderer. And I GLAD this movie doesn't gloss over the fact Winnie and her goons killed a 14 year old boy. Also, Winnie had an affair with a white South African man as well.

• Everette | June 27, 2012 10:32 PM

  Winnie and her people were and are living under certain conditions that forces some people to act and she did. U.S. Presidents murder people on a mass scale and movies are made about them. It is the way we live.
  Wake up or shut up!
  I do not think that Winnie was a saint. Dig into anyone's life and you will find secrets and abominations.
  
  It is a disgusting act to murder anyone for whatever reasons, but those who dare to fight, fight by any means necessary. That is the tact that Winnie's oppressors took. All organizations pursuing political goals in violent environments deal harshly with informants. Ask Malcolm X, the Black Panthers, the U.S. Government or any government any where.

• ojie king | June 25, 2012 4:04 PM

  I agree with you totally. I say and i will always say, refrain comments until the film it out.

• Bondgirl | June 25, 2012 1:19 PMReply

  The accents are atrocious. Why didn't they get a South African actress and a name American actor(NOT ol' green eyes)? It seems like a waste of a production that is better suited for Lifetime or HBO.

• Critical Acclaim | June 25, 2012 4:07 PM

  She said: Ole green eyes. LMAO! Yea, his schtick is long dead. And her schtick never was.

• Marie | June 25, 2012 10:08 AMReply

  This "trailer" is a sloppy, schizophrenic mess. The casting is abysmal. Let's be honest--Jennifer Hudson won an Oscar for dramatic singing, not for dramatic acting (although I prefer her winning an Oscar over Beyonce any day.) She is NOT a trained, skilled, accomplished actress. And Terrence Howard…that voice! Sorry, but with that light voice, he just doesn't convey authority. The direction seems heavy-handed and entirely lacking in subtlety. T.D. Jakes may get the church-going audience out for this but I doubt many aside from them will go to the theater for this.

• ojie king | June 25, 2012 4:15 PM

  Acting like a lot of jobs on this planet can be honed and learnt on the job. Experience is the key that makes someone very good at their craft. Be you a trained actor with all the acting school and juilliard as you want, but with no on field experience, you cannot train your craft. Now, granted she might not have gone to acting school but she convincingly sold a performance about a very talented woman who just got unlucky in the music business not because of her lack of talent but for her looks, hence she won the academy award, of which i might add she beat out acting giant Cate Blanchet and also Adrianna Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi who gave spellbinding performances in Babel. Also, singing or the performance of songs vocally can be said to be an extension of acting because who ever is singing has to be able to convincingly portray the message of the song and engage the listener, which she proved in dreamgirls.

• OrangeMoon | June 25, 2012 8:51 AMReply

  Awful!!! Offensive to Winnie Mandela and to South Africa. Yuck!!! Darrel Roodt should be ashamed of himself for selling us down the river!

• julianne | July 5, 2012 8:46 AM

  That seems a bit of an extreme reaction to what I think is a beautiful promo. Do you have any clue when it comes to South African history or the amount of detail or research that probably went into this particular film- I doubt the filmmakers woke up one day and without any thought approached a project of this magnitude. Contrary to what you may think, from interviews I have read, it seems they have approached Winnies story with a great deal of compassion- whereas in the past the media have not been so kind to Winnie? I wonder if you know anything about Winnie Mandela?Have you read a single book on her life which would substantiate such a remark,are you ORANGEMOON some kind of expert on this subject matter? And as for your remark about Darrell Roodt ....he has probably contributed the most to South African cinema - being an Oscar nominated director , and the person who made the first anti-apartheid film in this country. You should keep your sanctimonious opinions to yourself. You probably don't even watch films and have nothing better to do with your time than to write this crap!!!Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard are A-list celebrities and have immense talent (Oscar winner and Oscar nominated actors?I wonder could that be a clue- the rest of the world have acknowledged their talent but no, thats not enough?)- Winnie Mandela should be honoured that they have brought her story to life!!So you know what YUCK - you have no idea what you are talking about and its disgraceful that people like you use these sites as a platform to air your misinformed opinions and slander. I am definately going to watch this, I think you should stick to watching your badly lit and badly acted Nigerian films....thats clearly more your level....

• Vincent Mickens | June 24, 2012 8:51 PMReply

  It doesn't look bad actually. Jennifer and Howard didn't make me cringe. Decent jobs from them both.

• Paul Blatant | June 24, 2012 7:15 PMReply

  This is a true spoiler. I hope there is more to the story when it hits the screen. Seem good none the less.

• Cyril | June 24, 2012 2:26 PMReply

  So fake!
  Geez!
  Howard as Mandela is an insult.....
  Heck, Hudson as Winnie is an insult also.....the whole project reeks of reckless abandonment....

• dean | June 24, 2012 1:58 PMReply

  Terrance Howard as Nelson Mandela is a joke.

• Mark & Darla | June 24, 2012 12:03 PMReply

  WOW Jennifer and Terrence, thank you Mr. Jake. Jennifer you have an authoritative present about yourself, girl if don't obtain more acting gigs keep practicing in the mirror.

• ojie king | June 24, 2012 12:01 PMReply

  From what I have learnt over the years, always hold all views till the trailer is out.

• Nemesis | June 24, 2012 11:51 AMReply

  You know a film's in trouble when they make a 5 minute trailer for it. They could have just made a short and called it a day... although, if those were the most enticing 5 minutes, then maybe not.