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SA actors reject Hudson

Johannesburg - South African actors have criticised a decision to have American RnB singer Jennifer Hudson play the role of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in an upcoming film.

The Creative Workers' Union of SA (CWUSA) at the weekend called on local movie maker Darrell Roodt to rethink Hudson's role as lead in the film about Madikizela-Mandela's life, reported The Times newspaper.

"The decision must be reverse, it must be stopped now," said union general secretary Oupa Lebogo.

"If the matter doesn't come up for discussion, we will push for a moratorium to be placed on the film being cast in South Africa. We are being undermined - there is no respect at all."

Production of the film is set begin on May 30 2010. Lebogo said South Africa had "people who can the play the role far better than Jennifer".

Wealth of talent

Actors John Kani, Florence Masebe and Mpho Molepo said CWUSA was heeding a call by President Jacob Zuma to take action and unite on issues affecting the entertainment business.

"Every time there is a movie that tells a South African story, it is done by someone who must be taught the right way of pronouncing Sawubona. Enough is enough," said Kani, according to The Citizen newspaper.

The CWUSA called for the reinstatement of working permits for international producers who want to make films in SA.

Film director Anant Singh said he agreed that SA had a wealth of talent.

"However, it is very difficult to prescribe how a movie should be made. There are commercial imperatives and if you want a movie to be made, you have to do it a certain way. It's all about balance," said Singh.
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