Invictus (2010) - Highly recommend

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

W. E. Henley 1875

In 1990, my high school English teacher did a special unit on Mandela and the ANC. Since then I have always respected Nelson Mandela for his leadership to create a national consciousness of reconciliation and forgiveness in post-apartheid South Africa. This movie illustrates the skillful leadership and vision of Mandela as he uses the national rugby team of South Africa, a predominantly white sport hated by the majority black population, as a symbolic front for teaching both black and white that the new South Africa will not pursue hate and revenge, but will work together to create a new country that respects all colors. Clint Eastwood builds the story well, and despite my fears that the sports would take over and ruin the drama and philosophical side of the movie, it works.

My only criticism of the movie is the use of well-known Hollywood actors. Why not use South African actors? As an American, I'm OK because I can't tell the the difference with the pseudo accents put on by Matt Damon and Morgan Freedman--and I like both of them as actors, but I would guess it would annoy speakers of African English just like when Chinese actresses like Gong Li attempt to play Japanese geisha.


Themes:

• What is the value of forgiveness? What does it take to become a person who can forgive those who have hurt and humiliated you?
• "I am the master of my fate. The captain of my soul" What does that mean to you?
• What is the function of international sports (like the World Cup) in creating political or social unity and harmony domestically and internationally?
  

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