As the project for my students in the third year, we have watched the film INVICTUS in English with English subtitles. I divided the film in three different sections and prepared worksheets for them to fill in. Thus, we had the chance to focus on the language, the dialogues, the sceneries, the characters and all the ideas and relevant topics in the film. After collecting details about all these sections, I gave them an outline to write about the film. They will have to hand in their written project and be ready to speak about it in class where we'll have a debate. As a continuation of it I'm asking my students to include their comments here.
Invictus is a film by Clint Esatwood, starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. It is based on the book Playing the enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Changed a Nation, by John Carlin. The film, as the book, "tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country". It is a very interesting and moving film that really touches you with Mandela's unquestionable words about how "forgiveness liberates the soul and removes fear". Reconciliation, restraint and courage...those were Mandela's weapons, and those should be our own unique weapons so as to be able to recite along with him the last two lines of the poem "Invictus", by William Ernest Henley, after which the film is named: "I am the master of my fate / I am the captain of my soul"
I think my students enjoyed the film as much as I do any time I watch it. It was worth using it in class!!!
