Invictus is the true story of Nelson Mandela and his attempts to unite his people. The film is set in South Africa during the election of President Nelson Mandela and the rise of the 1995 Rugby World Cup winners. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The story revolves around Nelson Mandela's strategy in reconciling the South African nation. The film begins with the image of a divided society; where, on one side, there are black children in tattered clothes playing football on barren ground, and on the other, white children playing rugby on a playground covered in lush green grass. The juxtaposition between the two parts is observed and coincides with the moment when Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years in prison. Mandela was elected the first black president of newly desegregated South Africa on May 10, 1994. On his first day in office, Mr. Mandela, along with his bodyguards, was walking before dawn when a bus dropped a stack of newspapers with a headline: "He may win the elections, but can he run the country?". This question prompted Mandela to reflect on his vision of uniting his nation and removing racism. He believed that otherwise a violent uprising against apartheid would have horrific consequences. Therefore, finding a way to create a nonviolent transition to majoritarian rule was essential to his vision. But how do we convince such diverse groups to let go of their deepest fears and resentments and pursue a common purpose? The response was to take advantage of the Rugby World Cup hosted by his country and see it as an opportunity to achieve his goals. The Springboks (South Africa's rugby team) were made up of Afrikaners and were dominated by white players. Black audiences in South Africa despised the Springboks, as they were a symbol of white oppression and years of abuse and violence. Since only the Caucasian public supported the Springboks. Mandela saw what could have been a divisive event as an opportunity for healing and progress. He recognized that rugby has a deeper meaning off the field and that the World Cup has the potential to become a symbolic opportunity for reconciliation and forgiveness. His vision was an inclusive “rainbow nation” and he wanted his actions to represent what he believed. The presidential guard showed serious disagreements to Mandela about joining with their white counterparts. To this, Mr Mandela responded: “You represent me, directly. The rainbow nation begins here. Reconciliation begins here (...); forgiveness also begins here" (Invictus 2010). A poignant moment comes when the executive council votes to ban the name and colors of the Springboks. Mandela drops everything to overturn this decision. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom EssayMr. Mandela's presence and kindness were key motivating factors for Pienaar when he challenged him that "an opportunity was waiting to have billions of people watching the match". He later gave Pienaar a copy of the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley, saying that it had helped him when the future looked very bleak. It famously ends with the line, “I am the master of my destiny/I am the captain of my soul.” At the end of the meeting, François realized that he had adopted Mandela's vision and changed his perspective on the game. Then he believed how important it was for the Springboks to win for South Africa. The players visited Robben Island, where..