Idris Elba focus of new Nelson Mandela documentary

Los Angeles: Actor Idris Elba's personal journey exploring the music of South Africa and Nelson Mandela, while coping with the death of his father, is the subject of the just-released documentary "Mandela, My Dad and Me".

The co-production of Elba's Green Door Pictures, documentary maker Woodcut Media and Shine North follows Elba on his 2013 journey to South Africa while he filmed the feature "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom", reported Variety Online.

Elba said he was greatly influenced by the musical culture of South Africa, a knowledge he expanded while filming the Mandela biopic.

The British actor recorded an album, "mi Mandela", based on his research for the film role.

Just as Elba left to record an album of the music in South Africa and Mali near the end of 2013, his father died. The film by director Daniel Vernon then shifted into an exploration of not just the music but also of the actor's grief.