Director Antoine Fuqua has uncovered a lesser-known side of Nelson Mandela: the rebellious fighter. Fuqua recalled walking into a restaurant and seeing a picture of a man in a boxing stance, which he initially thought was Muhammad Ali. He was surprised to learn it was Mandela, a detail that shaped his new documentary, 'Troublemaker'.
The film, which premieres Tuesday at the Sundance Film Festival, uses over 70 hours of Mandela's own recordings to tell the story of his journey from rebel to global icon. Fuqua worked closely with anti-apartheid activist Mac Maharaj, who was imprisoned with Mandela on Robben Island and helped smuggle his writings out of prison, which later became 'Long Walk to Freedom'.
Fuqua, Maharaj and the team travelled across South Africa to key locations in Mandela's life, including the University of Fort Hare, where he was expelled for protest activities, and Robben Island, where he spent 18 years of his 27-year imprisonment. Fuqua even slept on the island for several nights, describing the experience as 'very uncomfortable'. During those nights, Maharaj revealed that Mandela was a fan of Tracy Chapman.
The documentary also features interviews with former resistance fighters, including one man who lost an arm and an eye in the struggle. 'He was so full of life and so funny,' Fuqua said, noting the resilience and optimism he encountered among those who fought against apartheid.
Fuqua hopes the film delivers a universal message: 'Meaningful change is never easy or comfortable. The people in the moment were willing to do what’s necessary.' He added that he hopes audiences learn from leaders like Mandela and Maharaj, who 'stood up for the right reasons'.
