Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation (1996)

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Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation was released on October 12, 1996, in the USA. The documentary was produced by Clinica Estetico. The film was directed by Angus Gibson and Jo Menell. The film is displaying how Nelson Mandela went through racial discrimination from his early days to his presidency as the first democratically elected president of South Africa[1].

Plot

Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation Film Poster[2]

The film depicts the early education of Nelson Mandela is like. He is one of the first black Africans who graduated from law school, which lead to the establishment of a law firm for black Africans. Then, he becomes active in the civil rights movement by joining the African National Congress (ANC). His campaign in civil rights brings turmoil between black Africans and the government. Eventually, his political activism is sabotaged and after hiding in several places, Nelson Mandela is arrested for opposing the government and causing riots in South Africa. The government imprisons him for 27 years, and in 1993, the black Africans who are confined by the government and released from prison including Nelson Mandela. At last, in 1994, South Africa held their first national democratic election, Nelson Mandela is elected to be the first democratically elected president chosen by the citizens of South Africa[3].

Black Empowerment

The film depicts how Nelson Mandela became the living evidence of the South African blacks' freedom. Nelson Mandela studies law and establishes the first black law firm with his black colleagues. This black law firm is intended to assist the black people who get oppressed by the government. Eventually, when he joins the African National Conference (ANC), his campaign and impact are massive that he can move people's hearts to fight for black civil rights. Although facing struggles, he fights underground and plans to strike the bigoted government. His quest does not stop even when he is imprisoned for 27 years. He even says "I will continue fighting for freedom until the end of my days." despite the long captivity he holds[4]. The predecessor of Nelson Mandela, De Klerk, convinces the parliament in tearing down the political sanctions and apartheid system to prevent the civil war in South Africa. Thus, other civil activists are released since Nelson Mandela turns to the officials and says he is going to be the last man off Robben Island prison. De Klerk knows that releasing Nelson Mandela and others is going to make him in the presidential election though, he believes that building the nation should be in multiracialism. As Nelson Mandela is released from prison, he becomes an inspiration for many people fighting civil rights and eventually elected to be the first black president of South Africa and Mandela and De Klerk receives the Nobel Prize Award in establishing peace in South Africa[5].

Controversy

Law enforcement including police and military forces suppresses the activist of black people in South Africa with cruelty and no hesitation. The ANC which is the organization of civil rights for black people is considered a terrorist organization and the government restraints and confines many black people. The predecessor president, Pieter W. Botha, even shown that he pledges eternal white defiance in South Africa to prevent segregation occurrence in South Africa. The Apartheid system has created a warful situation between black people and government officials who are mostly white folks. The film reveals how racism portrays in South Africa that causes civil war for a long time[6].

References

  1. Mandela (1996). IMDb. Retrieved January 28 2021
  2. Mandela Movie Poster 1996. Moviepostershop. Retrieved January 28 2021
  3. Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. MANDELA: SON OF AFRICA, FATHER OF A NATION SYNOPSIS Fandango. Retrieved January 28 2021
  4. Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation Spirituality and Practice. Retrieved January 28 2021
  5. Roger Ebert. Mandela RogerEbert. Retrieved January 28 2021
  6. Roger Ebert. Mandela RogerEbert. Retrieved January 28 2021