Invictus: A great story, where truth is stranger than fiction

Sometimes that truth is stranger than fiction. Stories that even the best screenwriters could top. Invictus, the latest film from increasingly large Estwood Clint, who unlike his role as an actor, one of the bunch, the director, which is one of the big-tells this story.

The origins of this project appear to be the following: Morgan Freeman, a good friend of Eastwood, acquired for the film-even before its publication, the rights to the film from the novel by John Carlin book "Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed a Nation ", I guess he saw the potential of history and has led to the big screen.

The story, which I suppose you have heard or read, is this: In the early 90's, when Mandela is released, and soon after elected president of South Africa, is a fractured country, on the brink of civil war, where white minority controlled institutions like the police and business banking, while the black minority, after decades of "apartheid" sought to change many things.

Mandela, played masterfully by Morgan Freeman, one of the most serious candidates for the "Oscar" for this role-set which is reflected as a visionary statesman, you realize that you do not find a reason binding, and pride, the situation may end very badly, and no shortage of examples of countries in Africa ended very badly run down by a process of transition: Zimabawue, Namibia ... which never recovered and entered a growing spiral poverty and misery. So go in the organization of the 95 Rugby World an opportunity to unite the country.

The issue was very complicated. Rugby was the sport of "Afrikaner" white minority, who had ruled for decades. Something almost sacred, and unique to them. The black population preferred, as a symbol of opposition to a sport like football, and hated the selection of Rugby, "The springbox" with his own shirt, green and gold, and anthem. Even when they played them, the story of Mandela's own account, always went with the opposite-spectacular scene where this is evident by little more than a year the start of the world.

Mandela is contacted with Francois Pienaar , played by Matt Damon, who is also very good, despite being considerably smaller than the real Pienaar - National Team Captain, to make him see the importance that the country that team was able to win, a task otherwise very complicated, because the team had lost much of their level, not having been involved for years in international competitions because of the international boycott apertheid policy. The victory could unite as a nation.

He understands the importance of his mission and, as a team leader, will try to educate, and motivate his teammates to train well, bring rugby to the whole country, especially black people does not know, at that time only had a black player in the selection, Chester Williams, with whom he has counted as a consultant for the film.

Despite the reluctance of some who even do not pass the new national anthem, the mission will bit by bit, into a computer to be able-and this is history, not a "spoiler" - to overcome adversity and in an epic final to beat the legendary, and almost invincible, "All Blacks" New Zealanders.

The film takes its name from a poem that Mandela delivered in person, in a surprise visit to the team before the World Cup to Pienaar. Poem he read throughout his captivity, to overcome adversity, also very emotional scene, and that really seems to be the visit of the selection to the prison where Mandela was imprisoned.

The poem, which I reproduce below, with the invaluable help of Wikipedia, and the film version, which is the best translation I have found after some searching on the Internet, is as follows:

 

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 Marshall find me unafraid.

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

On the night that surrounds me,
Black as a bottomless pit,
I thank God that it may,
For my unconquerable soul

In the grip of circumstances
I did not whine or cry,
Before the stabbing of chance,
Although I bleed, I have never ridden

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Stalk the dark with horror
Despite the menace of the years,
I found and find me unafraid.

It does not matter how straight was the way
Neither any punishment take back
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul

The poem, beautiful by the way, unfortunately, a narrative not real, because as I read what really gave Mandela Pienaar was a fragment of a speech "The Man in the Arena" of Teddy Roosevelt that I reproduce below.

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or doer of deeds Where the Could have done better Them. The credit Belongs to the man who is Actually in the arena, Whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs, who eat short again and again, Because there is no effort without mistake and shortcoming; But who Actually does STRIVE to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great Devotions, who spends Himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if I fails, at Greatly daring least fails while, so That historical place Shall never be with cold and timid souls Those who know victory nor defeat Neither. "

That translated, in part by Google, and freely, for me, would say:

"It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the creator of the facts could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming, but who actually strive to do the works, who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows the great triumph, and that in the worst if he fails, fails having done their best, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. "

Being also quite good, is certainly less emotional.

Eastwood keeps showing us it's a great director. Okay the story is very good, but not lost in metaphysical disquisitions, which could have dropped another, lingering. No, the story and this alone will just permeate you realize the differences from scenes that reflect a natural tension, encouraging blacks rugby rivals, the white packing at the presidential palace when they believe Mandela the sweep, the hatred underground, and the urge to retaliate that Mandela has to placate, when they want to do away with the symbols "springbox" negative, even from the Mandela family to change; trusted agents Mandela who do not trust the secret service professionals who will be their new classmates and many others, until finally all get excited together for the achievement, they do theirs. Pienaar memorable phrase when interviewed after the match.

The narrative is fluid, and the scenes of rugby are very collected, at least for a non-expert, and I guess not too bored to not like this sport. Music, soft, as in most films Eastwood made ​​by his son, helps make the story flow. In addition, we have included typical country rhythms

It is a pity not to make too many movies where the sport is the protagonist, as this, at least in the amateur side, is a great source of positive values: friendship, solidarity and spirit of perseverance, sacrifice, which should be present in our day to day. I leave the line open for a future post, because otherwise it eternizará.

In short, a very good movie, I do not think disappoint. Totally recommended, and I will not leave empty in the next Oscar.

Rating: 8