Invictus

Invictus is a biographical film that revolves around Nelson Mandela’s efforts, and strategy to unite the South African society that is torn apart by remanence of apartheid. Upon being elected as the first black President of the country with severe opposition from the whites, Mandela faced the difficult task to reconcile the nation, and institute democracy in a country deprived of racism. The 1995 Rugby World Cup was to be hosted by South Africa, which became an unlikely opportunity for Mandela to find a common symbol for the people to unite under. The blacks in South Africa despised the Springboks, which included Mandela during his years of imprisonment on Robben Island. South Africa’s rugby team once Mandela set his plan in motion was a symbol
It appeals through emotions by also having a worthy cause to fight for. Throughout Invictus, the rugby players go from arrogant to carrying a whole nation on their shoulders. It is convincingly portrayed by Eastwood that the future of South Africa is tied to the success of the Springboks. As the movie goes on these arrogant players have redeemed themselves by committing to Mandela’s cause, from learning “Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika” to putting time into playing rugby with children. This gives them an emotional appeal, while representing something bigger (inclusion/equality), and as a result an audience would cheer for these underdogs. This is to compensate for undeserved inequality the Springboks
After the World Cup win, it is portrayed as if the essential foundation, reminiscing from apartheid, is virtually gone. The movies plot fidelity is highly weakened in its own essence of being based on real historic events, resulting in an implausible ending as scenes of a changed ‘accepting’ South Africa roll the credits. For most observers it is clear that as important the World Cup win is, it does not unite or solve a nations problems. Challenges still faced Mandela such as racism, poverty, violence. Challenges not solved to this