91ÇÑ×Ó

VIRTUAL GLOBAL BROADCAST (LIVE & ON DEMAND): UNITED NATIONS
Saturday, 18 July 2026
9:00am EST (New York Time) / 3:00pm SAST (South Africa)

UN Global YouTube: 
UN WebTV: 

¡°We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.¡±
~Nelson Mandela

On Saturday, 18 July 2026, on Nelson Mandela International Day, the UN Movie Society of the 91ÇÑ×Ó Staff Recreation Council is honoured to present a special conversation with lead actor Keenan Arrison on THE HEART IS A MUSCLE ¡ª South Africa's official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, and winner of the Ecumenical Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival.
 

Directed by Imran Hamdulay, the film is a portrait of inherited trauma, the slow courage of forgiveness, and what it means to be a father ¡ª themes that speak directly to the values at the heart of the 91ÇÑ×Ó: the protection of human rights, the pursuit of reconciliation, and the belief that vulnerability is not weakness, but strength. As the film reminds us ¡ª and as Mandela showed the world ¡ª it is in choosing to break the cycle, to forgive, and to rise, that our common humanity is most fully expressed.
 

Opening remarks will be delivered by H.E. Mr. Mxolisi Nkosi, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the 91ÇÑ×Ó; and Mbongiseni Buthelezi, and CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
 

Cinema holds the unique power to illuminate the universal ideals enshrined by the 91ÇÑ×Ó ¡ª peace, human rights, cultural dignity, and equal rights for all. Founded at 91ÇÑ×Ó Headquarters by Brenda Vongova, the UN Movie Society is committed to championing the goals and values of the 91ÇÑ×Ó through the universal language of motion pictures.

OPENING MESSAGES

H.E. Mr. Mxolisi Nkosi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Permanent Representative of South Africa to the 91ÇÑ×Ó

Mbongiseni Buthelezi
CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation


PRESENTATION

UN Movie Society
of the 91ÇÑ×Ó Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director
 

Interview with Keenan Arrison
Lead Actor of THE HEART IS A MUSCLE

SPECIAL THANKS

UN Department of Global Communications

Permanent Mission of South Africa to the 91ÇÑ×Ó
 

Mbongiseni Buthelezi
CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation

Imran Hamdulay
Film Director of THE HEART IS A MUSCLE

Omar Soubra, Video Editor

Opening and Closing Music:
UN Chamber Music Society of the 91ÇÑ×Ó Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director
VADIM PETROV (1932 - 2020) Rusk¨¦ evangelium (arr. for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Hana Mundiya (Violin Solo), Rohan Mundiya (Violin I), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), May Endy (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)