Outcry over bid to screen ‘Zulu’

Activists in a British town are trying to halt a charity screening of the 1964 film Zulu‚ saying it is racist.

Twenty-eight people in Folkestone‚ Kent‚ have written to the mayor about Saturday’s screening of the movie‚ which depicts the Battle of Rorke’s Drift in 1879 and stars Michael Caine.

MailOnline reported that the letter said: “We believe that the choice of the film Zulu‚ with its inaccurate portrayal of historical events and its distortions and racist overtones‚ could have a negative effect on relationships within the changing and richly diverse communities here in Folkestone.”

In a statement on its website‚ pop-up cinema company Bigger Boat Pictures said: “We’re delighted to announce a special screening of Zulu ahead of Armed Forces Day with proceeds going to SSAFA – The Armed Forces Charity – a winning outcome for all serving members and former members of all ranks of the armed forces and their dependants.”

Organiser Tom Langlands said people should watch the film, then “make up their own mind whether this is a timeless tale of courage‚ honour and pride or a product of yesteryear that has no currency and should be banned”.

IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi‚ 89‚ plays his maternal great-grandfather‚ King Cetshwayo kaMpande‚ in Zulu.

After the 50th anniversary screening in London in 2014, he said the experience was “deeply poignant”.