Nelson Mandela's story shines in Clint Eastwood's 'Invictus'

MANILA, Philippines - One man has enthusiasm for 30 minutes, another for 30 days, but it is the man who has it for 30 years who makes a success of his life.                    — Edward B. Butler

One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars; and the world was better for this. — Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Leaders should not only have the capability and the guts to lead, but should also unite and inspire us! Who will that leader be after the May election? Who among the winners shall rise to the challenges of history and bring Philippine society towards greatness and genuine democracy?

This writer urges all presidential, vice-presidential and senatorial candidates (including our sports leaders, by the way; why on earth are so many of our sports leaders also politicos?) to watch the inspiring story of the iconic South African leader Nelson Mandela and how he used charm, political dexterity, charisma and awesome moral authority to unite a fractious nation through statesmanship, compassion and sports in Clint Eastwood’s superb new film Invictus.

Not only should the extremely talented actor Morgan Freeman and convincing supporting actor Matt Damon win the coming Oscar awards for their roles in Invictus, I believe it is unfair that the 80-year-old cinematic virtuoso Clint Eastwood didn’t get even an Oscar nomination for Best Director in the Oscars this year. Eastwood is a master storyteller, a great filmmaker. I believe that Invictus is an even better film in its plot than the entertaining blockbuster and Oscars frontrunner Avatar.

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On another level, I urge all our local film producers to watch the ongoing Chinese Film Festival until Feb. 9 at Shangri-la mall by Ateneo’s Leong Center and Celadon, most especially talented Zhang Yuan’s simple yet deeply moving and well-crafted film Seventeen Years. This is the way producers should have created the Mano Po movies, telling ordinary human stories with authentic Chinese emotional and cultural sensibilities.

 Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J. and Ateneo Celadon officers said tickets are discounted at P100 each and all the world-class Chinese films have English subtitles. They are inviting all Philippine STAR readers to catch the last few days of this unique film festival at the Shangri-La Mall in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

The Power Of Inspiration

Invictus recounts how South African President Nelson Mandela (played exceedingly well by Morgan Freeman), after 27 years in prison under the racist apartheid regime, sought to overcome age-old animosities between the newly-empowered black majority and the white minority through the sport of rugby. Instead of wallowing in political vengeance and bitterness, Mandela was magnanimous in victory. He reached out to the white minority through their favorite Springboks rugby team, which he saved from oblivion and he even urged to inspire the fledging multi-racial democracy of South Africa by winning the 1995 World Cup.

 The underdog, demoralized and mostly-white Springboks team of South Africa was led by captain Francois Pienaar (played so well by Matt Damon, who turned his hair blond and buffed up his physique for the role). When pundits, the media and the rest of the world dismissed the Springboks’ chances of winning the World Cup hosted by South Africa, President Mandela personally spurred them on. He gave the team captain a copy of English writer William Ernest Henley’s 1875 poem “Invictus” (Latin for “Unconquered”) in his own writing, a poem which buoyed his spirit during 27 years of agonizing prison life in Robben Island.

 The poet’s financially broke father died when Henley was a youth and the boy was inspired to write poetry by his school’s brilliant headmaster T.E. Brown. Henley recalled about his headmaster: “He was singularly kind to me at a moment when I needed kindness even more than I needed encouragement.”

 William Ernest Henley suffered tuberculosis of the bone and his leg had to be amputated below the knee, and he wrote this defiant and indomitable poem from his hospital bed. Words and ideas are indeed deathless and immeasurable in power, for a century later, this very same poem would help keep the spirit of then the world’s most well-known political prisoner Nelson Mandela unconquerable through the darkest days and nights.

I wish to share this poem, so that we may gain strength to endure life’s problems, reminding us that hope springs eternal for those who trust in God, that all crises can be overcome by faith and courage, that positive attitude is most important.  

                     “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.

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