Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibilityTroublemaker | 2026 Sundance Film Festival
Accessibility

Premieres

Troublemaker

sd_star_fav_icon
South Africa/United States/United Kingdom202594 minEnglish
Troublemaker

The struggle against apartheid is recounted through Nelson Mandela’s own voice, drawn from recordings he made while writing his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.

+ More

The struggle against apartheid is recounted through Nelson Mandela’s own voice, drawn from recordings he made while writing his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.

Director Antoine Fuqua and anti-apartheid activist Mac Maharaj bring to cinematic life recently recovered interviews with Rolihlahla — a name that translates from Xhosa as “troublemaker,” and is the birth name of Nelson Mandela.

Fuqua crafts together Maharaj’s testimony, powerful archival footage, the evocative animation of Thabang Lehobye, and Mandela’s spoken words to offer this remarkably personal and anatomical recount of the anti-apartheid movement — from Mandela’s childhood grooming in the royal court, his rebellious elopement and politicization in Johannesburg, his historic presidency, and today’s enduring issues of liberation in South Africa.

As fascist white supremist movements proliferate violently around the world today, Troublemaker shines light on a movement that found its way to the winning side, and what value a troublemaker offers when there is strength in numbers and collective movement. — SF

Also available for credentialed press and industry online (January 28–February 1)

PremieresAll FeaturesBIPOC StoriesBiographyIndigenous StoriesInternationalAnimationNonfictionClosed CaptionOpen CaptionU.S. Only- less

Screenings

in persononline not available
  • Jan 27, 5:30 PM MST
    Premiere

    The Yarrow Theatre

    Park City

  • Jan 28, 2:30 PM MST
    Screening

    Megaplex Redstone - 4

    Park City

    Open CaptionOpen Caption

  • Jan 29, 12:00 PM MST
    Screening

    Holiday Village Cinemas - 3

    Park City

  • Jan 31, 1:50 PM MST
    Screening

    Megaplex Redstone - 3

    Park City

    THIS FILM IS NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE

Credits

  • Director(s)

    Antoine Fuqua

  • Screenwriter

    Michael Toomey Mann

  • Producers

    Antoine Fuqua

    Mac Maharaj

    Arthur Landon

    Kevin Mann

    Mark Bauch

    Markus Davies

  • Animated By

    Thabang Lehobye

  • Director of Photography

    Maz Makhani

  • Editor

    Jake Pushinsky

  • Composer

    Marcelo Zarvos

  • Company

    Haven Entertainment, Lorton Entertainment

  • Contact

    Demi Boxley

    db@haven.la

Meet the Artist

Panelist Name

Antoine Fuqua

    Antoine Fuqua is the director and producer behind award-winning films including Training Day, The Magnificent Seven, The Equalizer franchise, Southpaw, Olympus Has Fallen, Brooklyn’s Finest, Shooter, and King Arthur. Documentaries include American Dream/American Knightmare, Lightning in a Bottle, What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali, and Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers. Next up: a Michael Jackson biopic.

    You May Also Like

    Premieres
    sd_banner_img

    Once Upon A Time In Harlem

    FilmUnFillFavIcon

    A decade after his death, genre-defying filmmaker William Greaves has one last trick up his sleeve with what he considered the most important event he captured on film: a 1972 party he engineered with the living luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance.

    (1hr 40mins)
    Premieres
    sd_banner_img

    The Brittney Griner Story

    FilmUnFillFavIcon

    Explores the circumstances that led to Brittney Griner playing basketball outside the U.S. despite being one of the best players in the sport, including her harrowing detainment, unwavering determination to secure her freedom, and her advocacy for the release of other wrongful detainees.

    (1hr 47mins)
    Premieres
    sd_banner_img

    Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie

    FilmUnFillFavIcon

    Previously unseen footage captured by Salman Rushdie’s wife, Rachel Eliza Griffiths, documents his journey. Following not just his physical rehabilitation, but also the restoration of his spirit and optimism. Inspired by Rushdie’s memoir Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder.

    (1hr 47mins)
    Premieres
    sd_banner_img

    Give Me the Ball!

    FilmUnFillFavIcon

    World champion tennis trailblazer Billie Jean King has had a game-changing impact on culture and sports. Rare archive and candid interviews with Billie Jean and those closest to her reveal how one woman put changing the world ahead of saving herself.

    (1hr 41mins)

    FESTIVAL HOST STATE

    Sponsor

    FESTIVAL HOST STATE

    FESTIVAL HOST STATE

    FESTIVAL HOST STATE