Montblanc "The Power of Words" Nelson Mandela

Ampurist reports on Montblanc's "The Power of Words" event, held in partnership with the Tribeca Film Institute to honor Nelson Mandela's legacy. This initiative highlights Mandela's profound influence through language and his personal connection to his Montblanc pen. The event showcased short films inspired by his words, reinforcing Montblanc's commitment to the culture of writing and education.

Last Friday night, December 5, 2014, Montblanc and the Tribeca Film Institute hosted an exclusive event at the Neue House in New York City. Sheltering guests from the cold and rainy night, the beautiful venue welcomed guests downstairs to the warm and cozy library lounge set up with a screening room and open bar.

It is hard to believe that it was almost a year ago that one of the world’s greatest influences and leaders passed away. Nelson Mandela was a man of peace and change and practiced his power to influence through words and language. Mandela not only touched the lives of some of the most prominent leaders around the world but also those of parents, children, educators, and students. It was that strong and powerful relationship that sparked the partnership behind the film project “The Power of Words”. The South African president and Nobel Peace winner was very attached to his Montblanc pen while he was changing the world. The pen, named his “Presidential Pen”, traveled with him everywhere and became his trusted companion.

With the help of Montblanc, the Tribeca Film Institute, and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, this project showed five short films based on the memory, influence, and words of Mr. Mandela with this international premiere. Directors Mira Nair, Ramin Bahrani, Eva Weberand, James Marsh, Hank Willis Thomas, Zippy Kimundu, and Nabil Elderkin partnered with five Tribeca Film Fellows to follow the journey of citizens around the world ranging from Hong Kong to America through their hardships and accomplishments.

The screening and celebration, co-hosted by Caroline Rupert, was attended by Chrissy  Teigen,  Tribeca Film Institute Co-Founder, Jane Rosenthal, Africa Rising Foundation Co-Founder Kweku Mandela, participating director Nabil Elderkin, Tribeca Film Institute members and international guests. The event also hosted a calligrapher creating personalized holiday cards surrounded with display cases of Montblanc pens.

 “As a company rooted in the culture of writing, we are delighted to see the extraordinary words of one of modern history’s most inspiring figures interpreted in film”, explains Mr. Jérôme Lambert, Montblanc International CEO. “We share Nelson Mandela’s belief in the importance of meaningful words, and education, His unique vision for democracy, peace, social equality and learning lives on through the power of his words, and we hope that through each of these films, others will continue to be inspired by his legacy.”