In December we launched an exciting new event across the country called Time To Talk.
These events are aimed at those who want to be educated and inspired by the latest films backed up by Time To Talk sessions where you learn from the lessons and stories in major feature films and how it can help you live a fulfilling and balanced life.
It was a great opportunity to come together as a group and watch a film, in conjunction with a variety of other activities designed to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of what you have seen.
We had guests joining us and giving us their take on the lessons from the film along with a discussion/interview and plenty of fun and enjoyment and people left feeling, inspired, educated and entertained, with useful tips that they can use along the way.
The events kicked off in London, Birmingham and Manchester with the highly anticipated film, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.
This captivating film is based on Nelson Mandela’s stunning autobiography, which chronicles his remarkable journey to becoming the first democratically elected president of South Africa.
Documenting the challenges Mandela faced with apartheid in South Africa and the agonising 27 years he endured in prison, this is the incredible story of a courageous man who imposed his hope on a country which appeared to have none.
Mandela is played by Golden Globe winner, Idris Elba, best known for his leading roles in TV series such as Luther and The Wire and films Pacific Rim, Prometheus and Thor. Fresh from playing a Bond Girl in Skyfall, Naomie Harris takes on the role of Winnie Mandela.
We created our own ‘Mandela’ Christmas tree. Mandela was a man of action and so we encouraged people to write their goals for 2014 on the back of specially designed snowflake decorations designed in the colours of the South African flag. We will be following up with each person throughout 2014 to help them to achieve their goals.
As well as providing the chance to enjoy inspirational films, these events are designed to unlock your understanding and highlight lessons that you can use to help you to manage your time and balance your everyday life.
This event is perfect for those who want to be inspired and motivated whilst being part of a uniquely entertaining experience. It doesn’t matter what background you come from as long as you are willing to learn and have fun in an open and friendly environment.
The feedback has been amazing and you can view pictures from the event at http://on.fb.me/1dQt685
We look forward to seeing you at the next event.
See you at the movies!
Feedback
“Thanks for setting up the Monday event at hackney. Fantastic film. Still thinking about it. Inspirational. Great depiction by very talented actors of a very great Statesman. Thanks for all your hard work in making it happen. God bless.” Ola
“Thanks for putting up the event in Manchester last night. I really did enjoy myself. It was indeed a time of great reflection though sorrowful but at the end we all understood that peace is better than hatred.” Emmanuel
“Thank you. Mandela is a compelling film. Idris Elba, great portral of Nelson Mandela. Please keep me updated on more events!!!” Sheromie
“I went to see MANDELA last night thanks to ‘Time to Talk’ with Natalie Louise Brown was both inspiring and thought provoking. There are few people who would have given up their lives for a cause and still survive the ‘long walk to Freedom’ but Mr Mandela did and he did so with grace and strength. The film also gave great insight into the life of Winnie Mandela, made me see things from a different perspective. Love and forgiveness will always win in the end. One life changing lesson that I learnt from watching that film is that if change is going to be…it will be up to me.” Karen
“Absolutely brilliant evening watching a pre-release run of the new Nelson Mandela film – The Long Walk To Freedom. Wowweee! It was BRILLIANT! and Idris Elba is ………….. a GREAT ACTOR (Among other things heheheeeee! :-D) Great event run by Time With Natalie.” Dion
“It was wonderful. It was as it was. We enjoyed every minute of it. It was the truth and I even cried a little bit.” Florence
“It was very touching and it took me back a bit. I shed a few tears because alot of things are real and we lived during those years, but it’s a new era now. That’s the best we know about Mandela.” Nomsa
“It was fantastic. I feel like I have had an experience. He is a man who was willing to die for what he believed in and it has really taught me so many lessons.” Lillian
It was very good. It gave me wisdom as well as Mandela had wisdom to find out how South Africa was and as my parents have told me before about apartheid I see now how it is and how tough it has been. It will appeal to the younger generation as well.” Success
“The film was very powerful and had some great performances particularly by Idris and Naomi of course, we all know the story and probably even 70% of the detail as the whole story was played out in the media but to see it in a film was very vivid and one could appreciate the emotional impact on Nelson & Winnie such a hard situation to manage from both perspectives. I actually thought the film was too short in a sense and obviously they had to choose what to put in and what to leave out but I guess they had the main story line there. One noticeable item missed was any reference to Steve Biko it was like he never existed.” Michael
“It was amazing. It was touching. It felt closer to home because we were born in the free South Africa it really makes us think why we have gotten this far and why we can achieve even better and live free. It was amazing. The film was absolutely amazing and I hope it gets awards.”
“My thoughts on the event that you held were all positive, there are not many opportunities to attend events of this kind in Birmingham so I thoroughly appreciate being able to take part. The talk given by yourself and your guest at the start of the film were both interesting and inspirational, I expected for there to be some discussion about the film straight after also. Thank you for the gift bags you provided, I have put the ‘believe’ slate ornament up in my bedroom, it reminds me to stay on track and to have faith in my potential to achieve. The goal setting Christmas tree was a very nice touch, I will definitely be getting my students to do something like that on the first day back to school. The film was brilliant and those who I attended the event with urged me to keep them informed should I come across anything of this nature again. I had invited other friends and family but due to the time of the event and them being sceptical as to whether it was going to happen (they thought it was too good to be true), unfortunately they did not attend. Please keep me informed of any other events of this nature, or if you require any help with any future events please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Excellent event and a emotionally moving film, a positive reason for people to come together. We look forward to attending other pre-releases or events.”
“I attended your London event and it was wonderful to see this truly great movie and of course inspiring story in such an intimate and beautiful setting. Thank you for organising this event and putting all the effort in. I look forward to the next ones. :)”
“Hope you had a great Christmas. The event was good and would attend another one. The film was very thought provoking and challenged me to keep on walking in love and showing live to those who I think don’t deserve it. Bless you for giving me the opportunity to share in this experience. May more doors open for you to live your dreams in 2014.”
“Fantastic! I was pleased of the opportunity and having travelled alone, felt safe in the company. The gift bag and warm welcome was a really nice touch that l really appreciated. Even though l am still not sure who you are and what you do, you did a great job and l look forward to the next event!”
“I really enjoyed the movie and the whole event. It was a first for me, Cant ever remember going to film premier. I thought the movie was successful in its portrayal of the Mandela story. It captured the key points of his life struggles, and certainly gave a greater understanding of Winnie Mandela’s eventual path during the struggle. Her treatment by the apartheid system during her unlawful incarceration only galvanised the dislike she had for her oppressors. I thought Idris Elba portrayal of Mandela was spot on, during the prison scene you felt the characters pain fighting the unjust system. Unfortunately something most black people have felt at least once in there life time, if not more. I am sure there’s so much more to this great man’s life journey, But you would need a film two or three times longer to portray it all. Still a great effort. Many thanks for opportunity. Wishing all involved a very merry Xmas and prosperous New Year.”
“It was a fantastic event. I loved the idea of writing the goals for 2014 ( I went overboard and wrote three). The goodie bags were great and me and my friends commented on the fact that they actually had substance rather than just fliers like most goodie bags so kudos for those too! I really enjoyed the film and have spread the word about how great it was. A little disappointed that people showed up late but that’s our people for you.”
“Once again congratulations on putting on a well organised event in Birmingham. I actually participated in the video feedback but more than happy to provide a summary here. From the outset on arrival to the cinema the anticipation was made welcoming by the front of house staff who provided a welcome attitude and clear information of what was taken place. The goody bag and the South African wish tree was a marvellous idea and got me thinking about my goals for the coming year. The film itself was an eye opener left me wanting to dwell more into the issues of that period and inspired to find out more about Winnie and Nelson Mandela as well as the other men imprisoned then subsequently freed. On a professional level I feel that as a tutor working and delivering to men in prison I can use elements of Mandela’s imprisonment alongside his ability to forgive then achieve his ultimate goal in the face of adversity to breakdown barriers then. This will I believe and does resonate with the men/learners. I’m also a creative writer and have some success and feel personal driven as a result of this wider event chronicling key parts of his life to push forward my creative writing. I will certainly go and see the film again and encourage others too. Keep showcasing and wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
“Please let me take the opportunity in thanking you for bringing the event to Birmingham. Having grown up with the black power movement and being expelled from school several times because, I dared to give the black power salute I, felt I already knew Nelson’s Mandela’s story and his struggles. So, I was very happy to get and have a better understanding of Winnie’s Mandela’s story and her struggle’s. All I can honestly say is there, goes me, for the grace of God because, I honestly don’t know if I could have forgiven…I guess time is a great healer. I am very proud to be black woman, who will always stand with and for the black man/black woman, no matter how much negativity society and the media tries to portray because, I truly know that, if it were not for the love and the shear guts, that people like Nelson and Winnie Mandela had it would never have been possible for the way to have been paved for me and my generation too even sit at the front of a bus let alone to have the knowledge and understanding of forgiveness. I truly wish you every success in life. Please keep up the good work and have a wonderful rest over the festive season.”
“Thank you again for organising the event. The film was thoroughly engaging and gave me a detailed insight into the lives of both Nelson Mandela and his former wife Winnie Mandela. Although the scenes reflected some of the treatment both received and left some for us to deduce, it was great to see how it impacted on all depicted in the film. This film has left a lasting impression and an encouragement to forgive and pursue our as this can make a difference as we see how one man did just that. Be encouraged your event did just that!”
“I viewed the film in Hackney London and thought it was a good location. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and found it informative and thought provoking. I was born in 1960 and grew up being aware of South Africa and Nelson Mandela although not fully understanding the ins and outs of ANC. It was interesting to see the part Winnie played in the ‘Freedom and equality’ for Black South Africans and I gained an understanding of why she was the way she was. I knew that she had spells of imprisonment but didn’t know that she spent 17 months in solitary confinement and how hatred for her captors had filled her heart. It is true to say that behind every powerful man stands a woman. Winnie kept Nelson at the forefront of everyone minds and it was good to see that Nelson gave her credit for this in his autobiography. All in all the film was interesting to watch and it was a good reminder that there are people who stand up for our rights and many lives are lost along the way. The struggle is not over! I look forward to your future updates.”
“I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for last night. I brought my dad and we both had a great time and had fun looking through our goodie bags when we got home. Thanks again.”
“It was a blessing to watch this powerful film with great company. The gifts especially the plaque with I BELIEVE mean a lot. Well done and thanks again.”