THE legendary struggle behind the founding of the African National Congress (ANC) and the persons involved is a well-known tale.

So it's interesting that, a decade later, a film-maker chose to make a documentary on the lives of two of those involved ? Walter and Albertina Sisulu. will screen tomorrow as part of the eighth Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF). Based on an authorised biography of the couple,, the documentary celebrates their love for their family, each other and South Africa.

"It's a story about the South African struggle history," explained Letebele Masemola-Jones, the film's executive producer. "It's not particularly unique in terms of the two characters ? because these are people we were very familiar with.

"We'd heard their story ? but I think what's different about this film that was directed by Toni Strasburg, is that a lot of it is told through the eyes of the children. And that's a voice that we'd not heard before. We get to hear what it was like for them as children growing up with parents who were so intricately involved in the struggle against apartheid and what it did to them. It displays the love of all the people that got separated during the struggle, either through prison or through exile.

"But what's different is that this particular couple stayed together after they were reunited ? after Walter came out of prison after 27 years. So I think that's really interesting."

Mr. Sisulu was the political muse and mentor of former South African president and national hero, Nelson Mandela.

According to Ms Masemola-Jones, the pair share a very close bond to this day. When informed that the documentary was being made, Mr. Mandela wanted to play a role. "Walter was strong, reasonable, practical and dedicated," Mr. Mandela told the film-makers. "He never lost his head in a crisis; he was often silent when others were shouting. He believed that the African National Congress was the means to effect change in South Africa, the repository of black hopes and aspirations.

"Sometimes one can judge an organisation by the people who belong to it, and I knew that I would be proud to belong to any organisation of which Walter was a member."

While the pair were imprisoned on Robben Island, Mrs. Sisulu raised the family in Johannesburg. The film crew were afforded access to the family through their familiarity with the director. Though now based in the United Kingdom, Ms Strasburg grew up with the Sisulu children in South Africa in the 1960s.

"We talk about the love story between the two of them ? the love that they had not only for themselves, but for their family and for South Africa as a whole," said Ms Masemola-Jones. "And that's why it's titled ."

The film was launched last year at the Documentary Festival in South Africa and had its international premiere at the Toronto Film Festival last September.

"If you do a South African film it's nice to be able to launch in your own country first," she said. "At the festival it was great because we had full houses for the screenings and the reaction was very positive.

"I think that people appreciated the gentle approach to the story of the two elderly people, Walter and Albertina Sisulu and just appreciated their love story for South Africa basically. The Sisulu family absolutely loved it. They were very happy with it. I am happy with it. I love the film, I really do. It's a well-made film and it's well crafted."

The film will air on South African television on April 28.marks the second time Ms Masemola-Jones' work has appeared at BIFF. Her initial submission, a series entitled , showed over a number of months on PBS.

While here, the producer will participate in BIFF's Chats With . . . panel discussion on Monday, speaking with Franny Armstrong, the director of , and actress Hani Furstenberg of . Jennifer Wood of magazine will moderate.

"It's about time that I came to Bermuda," she said. "This is the second time I have a product in the festival so I'm really, really looking to sharing what we have this time around with the Bermudian audience and other people that are coming. I also look forward to seeing other films there as well."

q will screen at the Liberty Theatre tomorrow, at 4 p.m. Ms Masemola-Jones' panel discussion will take place at the BIFF Front Room in the Number 1 Passenger Terminal on Front Street. All panels run from 12.15 p.m. through 1.30 p.m.