Sour grapes much?

[Trevor]

Cue writer William Nicholson:

www.hitfix.com/in-contention/mandela-writer-blames-films-failure-on-guilt-sucking-12-years-a-slave

Actually, Twelve Years A Slave is a better film.

[ChaosTheory]

I can see why he gets the big bucks for his way with words. 

[Trevor]

I can see why he gets the big bucks for his way with words. 

He also wrote Sarafina which is an awful film.

[BoyScoutKevin]

A question if I may, Trevor, and for once it's not about your underwear.

I can understand why "12 Years a Slave" did better than "Mandela" here in the U.S., as the former was based on an American subject, but which one did better in South Africa at the box office? "12 Years a Slave" or "Mandela?"

[Trevor]

A question if I may, Trevor, and for once it's not about your underwear.

+  

I can understand why "12 Years a Slave" did better than "Mandela" here in the U.S., as the former was based on an American subject, but which one did better in South Africa at the box office? "12 Years a Slave" or "Mandela?"

The Mandela film was a success at the box office - especially after Mandela's passing - but not enough to make back its' cost. 12 Years A Slave only screened on the art cinema circuit which limits its' potential to make money.

[BoyScoutKevin]

A question if I may, Trevor, and for once it's not about your underwear.

+  

I can understand why "12 Years a Slave" did better than "Mandela" here in the U.S., as the former was based on an American subject, but which one did better in South Africa at the box office? "12 Years a Slave" or "Mandela?"

The Mandela film was a success at the box office - especially after Mandela's passing - but not enough to make back its' cost. 12 Years A Slave only screened on the art cinema circuit which limits its' potential to make money.

Thank-you for the answer, Trevor. Of course, for me, often an answer raises another question, such as "Why was '12 Years a Slave' restricted to the art house circuit in South Africa?" One would think a film with that subject would appeal to a larger audience.

[Trevor]

Thank-you for the answer, Trevor. Of course, for me, often an answer raises another question, such as "Why was '12 Years a Slave' restricted to the art house circuit in South Africa?" One would think a film with that subject would appeal to a larger audience.

No idea at all, unfortunately. 

[ChaosTheory]

Well, even here in the states it didn't get widespread distribution until after the award talk started (and in my town, it didn't hit the theater until after the Oscars were over ) I'm guessing it was partly based on who directed it. He's only made two feature films prior to 12YaS, and they were both small, art-house, and divisive.

Do movies based on US history appeal much to global audiences anyway? Not being snarky, I genuinely don't know.

[BoyScoutKevin]

Well, even here in the states it didn't get widespread distribution until after the award talk started (and in my town, it didn't hit the theater until after the Oscars were over ) I'm guessing it was partly based on who directed it. He's only made two feature films prior to 12YaS, and they were both small, art-house, and divisive.

Do movies based on US history appeal much to global audiences anyway? Not being snarky, I genuinely don't know.

That is an interesting question, ChaosTheory. I don't know neither, but I do think I know the answer to the reverse question, which is most historical films set in a foreign country don't have much appeal to most Americans. Even though . . .

Zulu Dawn
Lady Jane
Evita
Brotherhood of the Wolf
The Bounty

are some of my favorite films.