Invictus is the inspiring true story of Nelson Mandela and his attempts to unify his people. The film takes place in South Africa, during the election of President Nelson Mandela and the emergence of the winners of the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The story revolves around Nelson Mandela's strategy to reconcile the South African nation. The film begins with the image of a divided society; where, on one side, there are black children in torn clothes playing football on a barren field, and on the other side, white children playing rugby on a playground covered with green grass and lush. The juxtaposition between the two sides is observed and coincides with the moment when Nelson Mandela was released from 27 years of incarceration. Mandela was elected the first black president of newly desegregated South Africa on May 10, 1994. On his first day in office, Mr. Mandela and his bodyguards were walking before dawn when a bus dropped a stack of newspapers headlined: “He can win the elections, but can he lead the country? ". This question made Mr. Mandela reflect on his vision of uniting his nation and eliminating racism. He believed that a violent uprising against apartheid would otherwise have horrific consequences. Therefore, finding a way to create a non-violent transition to majority rule was essential to his vision. But how do you persuade such diverse groups to abandon their deep-rooted fears and resentments and pursue a common goal? The answer 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 (the South African rugby team) were formed by Afrikaners and dominated by white players. South Africa's black public looked down on the Springboks, as they were a symbol of white oppression and years of abuse and violence. Because only the Caucasian public supported the Springboks. Mr. Mandela saw in what could have been a divisive event an opportunity for healing and progress. He recognized that rugby had a deeper meaning off the field and that the World Cup had the potential to become a symbolic opportunity for reconciliation and forgiveness. His vision was of an inclusive “rainbow nation” and he wanted his actions to reflect what he believed. The presidential guard expressed serious disagreements with Mr. Mandela over uniting with his white counterparts. To this, Mr. Mandela replied: “You represent me directly. The Rainbow Nation starts here. Reconciliation begins here (...); forgiveness also begins here” (Invictus 2010). A poignant moment comes when the executive council votes to ban the Springboks name and colors. Mandela gives up everything to reverse this decision. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Mr. Mandela's presence and kindness were key motivators for Mr. Pienaar when he challenged him by saying that "an opportunity was waiting to have a billion people watching the match.” He then gave Pienaar a copy of the poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley, saying it had helped him when the future seemed very bleak. It ends with the famous phrase: “I am the master of my destiny/I am the captain of my soul”. At the end of the meeting, François realized his support for Mr. Mandela's vision and his change in his perspective of the game. He then understood how important he was to the Springboks..