CLIP FILM INVICTUS PRODUCTION: USA 2009, Warner Bros. Pictures DIRECTOR: Clint Eastwood CAST: Morgan Freeman (Nelson Mandela), Matt Damon (Fran ois Pienaar), Tony Kgoroge (Jason Tshabalala), Adjoa Andoh (Brenda Mazibuko), Julian Lewis Jones (Etienne Feyder) SYNOPSIS Invictus is a docu-drama film. It narrates the events in South Africa before and during the 1995 Rugby World Cup and is named after a poem which inspired Mandela during his years in prison. On 11 February 1990, Nelson Mandela is released from prison after 27 years. Four years later, he is elected the first black President of South Africa. His presidency faces enormous challenges in the post-Apartheid era, particularly concerned with racial divisions between black and white South Africans. While attending a rugby match between South Africa and England, Mandela notices that some black South Africans are supporting England rather than the mostlywhite Springboks, due to the legacy of apartheid. Knowing that South Africa is set to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup the following year, at a meeting of the new South African Sports Committee, which has mainly black members, Mandela persuades it to support the Springboks. He then meets with the captain of the Springboks, Fran ois Pienaar, and suggests that a victory for South Africa in the World Cup will unite and inspire the nation. Many South Africans doubt that rugby will unite a nation; however, things begin to change as the players interact with their black fans and form a friendship with them. During the games, support for the Springboks grows among the black population; moreover, the racially diverse officers come to respect their comrades professionalism and dedication, in addition to beginning to appreciate the game of rugby, a sport which was previously disdained by black people. The Springboks defeat Australia, their old rivals and defending champions. Then, they continue to advance to the final against their other big rival, New Zealand. Meanwhile, one day during the tournament, the Springboks visit Robben Island, where Mandela spent his first eighteen years in prison. There, Pienaar is struck by how he could spend thirty years in a tiny cell and come out ready to forgive the people who put him there . Supported by a large home crowd of all races, Pienaar motivates his teammates for the final. Just before the match, a South African Airways jet ies low over the stadium in demonstration of patriotism, as the plane bears the message Good Luck, Bokke painted on its wings. The Springboks beat New Zealand and become the world champions. Mandela and Pienaar meet on the field and Mandela hands Pienaar the Webb Ellis Cup. Mandela s car then drives away in the streets, leaving the stadium surrounded by a cheering crowd. As Mandela watches South Africans celebrating together in the street from his car, his voice is heard reciting Invictus again. to disdain: sdegnare 252 HISTORy, pHILOSOpHy, AND CIvIC EDUCATION legacy: eredit