Successful start to the 2014 cinema season: Mercedes-Benz as a partner in national and international film productions
In Germany the 2014 cinema season starts off with two film productions in which Mercedes-Benz plays supporting roles. The film “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” directed by Justin Chadwick features a number of historic Mercedes-Benz vehicles from various model series. Among them is a 126-series S-Class. In 1990 the personnel at the Mercedes-Benz plant in East London, South Africa produced an example of this model which was subsequently presented to Nelson Mandela on his release
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLtYr3d0wvs
In Matthias Schweighöfer’s new comedy “Vaterfreuden” (“Joys of Fatherhood”), the CLA and a 123-series Estate put in an impressive on-screen performance. Both films will be premiered in Germany at the end of January 2014.
“We are proud to say that it was not only a car that linked Mercedes-Benz to Nelson Mandela. As the patron of Laureus, it was Mandela who said at the first Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000: “Sport has the power to change the world!”, which is the motif of the Sport for Good foundation. We still support the trust with a wide variety of activities as we did then,” says Dr Jens Thiemer, head of marketing communication at Mercedes-Benz Cars. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation currently supports over 70 social sports projects worldwide, especially addressing the topics of AIDS, drug abuse, violence, racism, religious discrimination and social integration. In 2008 Mercedes-Benz was a main sponsor of the charity concert “46664” in honour of Mandela’s 90th birthday. Mercedes-Benz in South Africa is currently a partner of the Mandela-inspired project “21Icons”. This is supported by companies and private individuals in the conviction that everybody can be a catalyst for positive changes in the world. Mandela died in Johannesburg last December, at the age of 95.
The German premiere of “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” will take place on 28 January 2014, at the Zoo Palast in Berlin. It will reach the cinemas on 30 January 2014. A major charity event by the film distributor Senator at the Adlon Hotel on the eve of the premiere will be supported by Mercedes-Benz with an exclusive chauffeur service for the VIPs.
About the film “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”
South African freedom-fighter Nelson Mandela (Idris Elba) became interested in politics during his law studies. Over the years he developed into a militant proponent of democracy for his South African homeland. After a bloodbath inflicted on the coloured population, he went underground and became a radical. He paid a heavy price for his battle against the suppression of the black majority: in July 1964 he was sentenced to imprisonment for life. But he never gave up the fight. In prison he received frequent visits by his wife Winnie (Naomie Harris) and his daughter Zindzi (Lindiwe Matshikiza), who only really got to know her father thanks to these prison visits. After 27 years Nelson Mandela was finally released, and continued his battle against apartheid. In 1993 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace, and one year later he became the first black president of his country.
“Vaterfreuden” – a new film with Matthias Schweighöfer and Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz also has a national presence in a new film. In “Vaterfreuden”, Matthias Schweighöfer not only puts together a wonderful team of actors, but also gives major supporting roles to vehicles from Mercedes-Benz again. In addition to the CLA for the female lead Maren, Henne, the chaotic brother of Felix, drives a 123-series Estate in the film. Apart from playing the lead role, Schweighöfer both directed and produced the film. “Vaterfreuden” will be premiered on 29 January 2014, at the Matthäser cinema in Munich. The film will be screened nationwide from 6 February 2014. Mercedes-Benz is supporting the major cinema tour that will cover Germany and Austria from 3 to 12 February 2014.
About the film “Vaterfreuden”
Felix (Matthias Schweighöfer) loves the ladies, and ladies love him. He enjoys his single life to the full, and is quite happy to have no wife and family – until his irritating brother Henne (Friedrich Mücke) moves into his home together with his honey-loving ferret Karsten. Henne discloses that he earns a respectable income as a sperm donor. Felix promptly follows his example, and his money problems are solved for the present. Karsten makes a sudden appearance during a wild one-night stand. Following an unfortunate encounter with the ferret, Felix finds that he is now infertile. He is confronted with the prospect of a life with no family and children. So he does everything possible to find the recipient of his precious genes. With a remarkable result: the famous TV sports presenter Maren (Isabel Pollack) becomes the mother of his only child. The only problem is that she plans to marry Ralph (Tom Beck). But Felix refuses to forego the chance of a family, and does all he can to get to know Maren better.