Invictus
Hello dear Kasers
Firstly, we hope the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics goes off wonderfully well and that the Olympics are a great success all around.
Unusual, but I have a film recommendation for you. It is Invictus directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar (the South African rugby captain in 1995 during the World Cup of Rugby).
Now you may be put off by the fact that it appears, at first glance, to be about a 'blokey' game some of you will not have heard of!
However, the recommendation comes on two levels. Firstly, the film has made a really good fist at capturing the 'colour' in South African life. The story is entirely true and although there may be a few embellishments, for any of you who have read Nelson Mandela's autobiography ' Long Road to Freedom', much of it entirely recognisable. It captures too, the spirit of this truly remarkable human being and his personal philosophy and the most memorable moment for millions of South Africans when he walked out on to the rugby field wearing the 'SpringBoks' rubgy colours which had been, until that point, a detested symbol of apartheid oppression. So as a redemption story which also happens to be true, it is poignant on a number of levels.
But perhaps for many of you, it is also an inside look, although briefly at some of the shack settlements. The children in the film show fleetingly, that irrepressible spirit which we see in so many of our youngsters to whom we give the blankets.
Morgan Freeman does a great job, although his accent is a little strange. Matt Damon is amazing and we all thought had we not known better we would have thought he was a born and bred South African. We would be very interested in your comments, should you see the film.
Firstly, we hope the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics goes off wonderfully well and that the Olympics are a great success all around.
Unusual, but I have a film recommendation for you. It is Invictus directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar (the South African rugby captain in 1995 during the World Cup of Rugby).
Now you may be put off by the fact that it appears, at first glance, to be about a 'blokey' game some of you will not have heard of!
However, the recommendation comes on two levels. Firstly, the film has made a really good fist at capturing the 'colour' in South African life. The story is entirely true and although there may be a few embellishments, for any of you who have read Nelson Mandela's autobiography ' Long Road to Freedom', much of it entirely recognisable. It captures too, the spirit of this truly remarkable human being and his personal philosophy and the most memorable moment for millions of South Africans when he walked out on to the rugby field wearing the 'SpringBoks' rubgy colours which had been, until that point, a detested symbol of apartheid oppression. So as a redemption story which also happens to be true, it is poignant on a number of levels.
But perhaps for many of you, it is also an inside look, although briefly at some of the shack settlements. The children in the film show fleetingly, that irrepressible spirit which we see in so many of our youngsters to whom we give the blankets.
Morgan Freeman does a great job, although his accent is a little strange. Matt Damon is amazing and we all thought had we not known better we would have thought he was a born and bred South African. We would be very interested in your comments, should you see the film.
Comment
-
Comment by Mary Kristel Lokken on March 1, 2010 at 8:56am -
My sister Anne and I saw Invictus today - wonderful! We even got to see it in English (with Italian subtitles). Amazing what a touching film an old toughy like Clint Eastwood can make.
-
Comment by Kalai McDonald on February 22, 2010 at 3:57pm -
I'd actually love to see it again.
Erri I think you'll find that it is excellent overall (even with some Hollywood style embellishments). Definitely brought a lump to my throat. I can also remember the moment that Mandela walked onto the ground. Goosebump material for sure. It also made me so VERY excited for our upcoming trip! Only 3 and a half weeks till we are on the plane! x x x
-
Comment by Julia Dee on February 21, 2010 at 3:17am -
Saw Invictus last week , read the book of the film when it published a couple of years ago. Even though I am a real rugby fan and had watched the 1995 RugbyWorld Cup I came out of the film realising what a real life fairy tale their win had really been as they were not expected to win. I cannot think of anyone else but Morgan Freeman who could have played Mandela and although Matt Damon does have have the stature of Francois Pienaar he managed the role very well. It is very hard to produce a film that covers a real life episode as there has to be a bit of "film enhancing additions" for public viewing and having seen some of the shack settlements in South Africa I do not think they would have put them into the film. Hopefully though it will show the World that help is still needed.
-
Comment by Erin van der Vyver on February 19, 2010 at 9:38pm -
I have STILL not seen Invictus although Clive and I are both dying to do so. There has been a lot of talk around it in South Africa, obviously - mostly about how wonderfully they managed to capture the whole story. There is (pretty much) not a South African on the planet who doesn't remember the moment that our beloved Madiba walked onto that rugby field wearing the Springbok jersey. I, personally, cried like a baby! It was one of the most uniting moments in the history of South Africa. (I have a bit of a lump in my throat just thinking about it! Wow! What a powerful, moving moment it was....). Can't wait to see the movie!
Have always thought that if there was one actor that could pull of the part of Madiba effectively (and it's a BIG part to pull off, lets me honest), it woud be Morgan Freeman. Well, him or Clive's driver at work who is a wonderful man named Lucky, the splitting image of Madiba and would definitely have the accent down to a fine art but doesn't have much acting experience! Ha ha!
Apparently Matt Damon did an AWESOME job playing the part of Francois Pienaar... As I am sure most will know, the majority of South Africans are SO passionate about the game of rugby and Francois Pienaar is a very well-loved, iconic sportsman in SA so kudos to Matt Damon for filling some pretty big (rugby) boots...
Will let you know what I (and my husband - who will probably have a much more 'critical' eye being one of those UBER-passionate SA rugby -types that I mentioned above!) thought of it...
Have a fabulous weekend everyone....
xoxo
E
-
Comment by Kalai McDonald on February 17, 2010 at 7:24pm
-
Fabulous, moving film. I couldn't believe that it was directed by Clint Eastwood! I loves it on the rugby level, the South African level and of course for the spirit of a man that the whole world loves x x x
-
Comment by Sandie Roach on February 17, 2010 at 5:24pm -
You are the second person (both female) to say how good this film was. I must get to see it asap.
Thank you x
-
Comment by Sandy McDonald on February 15, 2010 at 10:50am -
Dawne, you are such a fabulous thinker. What a great idea. It should immediately go into the little Square Book of Fundraising ideas.
-
Comment by Sandy McDonald on February 15, 2010 at 10:49am
-
Yes Elizabeth, my husband an ardent rugby fan did wince a bit once or twice, but agreed that it was merely the platform to tell the bigger story. I read yesterday that Nelson Mandela is Godfather to one of Francois Pienaar's daughters. Wow what a God father to have! And a testimony to the fact that they had connected as closely as it shows in the film.
-
Comment by Mary Kristel Lokken on February 14, 2010 at 7:19am
-
Thanks for the heads up - I'll definitely be on the lookout for it. Of course, in Italy it will be dubbed in Italian, so MF's accent won't matter. ;-)
I am currently reading a book of short stories by Uwen Akpan called "Say You're One of Them"... Not about South Africa, but stories about children in other countries of the continent. It's very tough reading, eye-opening and upsetting....
Say You're One of Them
-
Comment by Dawne Smith-Sliming on February 14, 2010 at 3:34am -
I missed the film in theatre. Our lives can get busy without us even noticing! I had planned to take my teen age son. Instead we will rent it and watch it with the family.
Your post has given me an idea. I think renting Invictus and playing it at universities and in homes is a great fundraiser. Provide the movie for free, of course, but sell homemade snacks and have squares on hand as examples of how easily each of us can help another.
I think this would work especially well within the university environment.
DONATIONS
SQUARE SHOP 
You can support our work with the abandoned, vulnerable and orphaned children of South Africa by buying t-shirts, knitting totes, hats and gifts here! Click here.
You can support our work with the abandoned, vulnerable and orphaned children of South Africa by buying t-shirts, knitting totes, hats and gifts here! Click here.Introduce knit-a-square to your schools 
Make a difference in an AIDS orphans life! Make a difference in your childrens lives! Start here with this 40 page, beautifully illustrated teacher resource, all for a small donation of $12.95. Click here.
Make a difference in an AIDS orphans life! Make a difference in your childrens lives! Start here with this 40 page, beautifully illustrated teacher resource, all for a small donation of $12.95. Click here.
© 2012 Created by Sandy McDonald.
Powered by 
.
You need to be a member of Square Circle Forum to add comments!
Join Square Circle Forum