Monday, December 16, 2013
If One Can Change Himself One Can Change the World
by: Riley P., A2
How much of a difference can one person make? That's the question here. The Power of One includes an intense and heart-wrenching story of a young English boy, PK, who spends a difficult childhood in South Africa during apartheid. He is touched by many people along the way. This movie is though provoking because it gives a different perspective of apartheid through the eyes of a minority white boy. The movie intrigues you with its prevalent action, emotional deaths, strong ideals and morals, and exquisite character development.
This movie’s key asset is its many character interactions. There are many different people who influence PK throughout his treacherous childhood. During his time of loneliness after his mother and nanny died, he meets someone who cures him; an old German man named Doc. Doc is trapped in South Africa because of the war. He takes young PK and helps further his education in return for PK's help on his cactus farm. Just when the "loneliness butterflies", as said by PK, were starting to go away, Doc was taken to prison until the end of the war. PK visited him everyday and this is where he met another one of the most inspirational characters in the movie, a prisoner who teaches him how to box. This character is very important and pivotal in the movie because he helps him to be a strong leader against apartheids ruthless enforcers and to not be afraid. This man helps PK create and lead a concert by the other prisoners where they secretly sing about rebellion against apartheid. The prisoner’s clever idea leads him to a sorrowful death.
The war ends and Doc returns to Germany. PK is now a strong adolescent enrolled in an all white boarding school. He is pursuing a very successful career as a boxer, number one in his very competitive school. He meets many deprived black South African natives through an illegal mixed race-boxing match. He makes friends with his opponent and starts to help with the man's struggling native neighborhood. He starts to set up an illegal school to help educate these natives in the English language. This is strikes major controversy in the town and the police are in hot pursuit to destroy and stop PK and his advancements. One night chaos breaks out when the bloodthirsty passionate apartheid police come into the village looking for PK. They stop at no cost. They create a terrible ruckus spraying bullets and killing people by the bunch. But against all odds PK and his companion escape and set out on a journey to spread justice and the English language. And in this moment PK reflects on how he hears the great voices of all his inspirational companions. They live within him and remind him that the power of one can change the world.
I felt, personally, that this movie helped deepen my knowledge of how it wasn't just the natives that were affected by apartheid. I think the storyline is well put together, and it has an infectious moral and inspirational understanding. I recommend this movie to anyone, especially those who don't understand and need to be enlightened on the affects of apartheid. Critics rave about the coundtrack and its touch to lighten the mood of the film. Critics also believe that there was a gap in where the blame was given, when it came to aparthied rules and reprucussions. This movie was made to give hope and teach every person in every generation that just one can influence the power of many.
Video of the "Concert Scene" from the movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qer_iIt3Jo
Bibliography:
The Power of One. Dir. John G. Avildsen. Perf. Stephen Dorff, Morgan Freeman. Warner Brothers, 1992.
Ebert, Roger. "The Power of One." All Content. RobertEbert.com, n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
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Hello I'm the publisher for the New York Times print paper. I enjoy your writing style and can see the bright journalism career ahead of you. Please let me know if you are interested in a job opportunity.
ReplyDelete--Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr
I read your article and i couldn't help but feel a similarity between our two stories. They're both about white South African people trying to make a difference in their country. When I watched the video you posted, I was surprised to see that the white boy trying to make a difference was very young. It takes a lot of courage to do something like that, especially if you're not an adult. I was very impressed with your article. It told the tale of the story while also giving information on apartheid in South Africa. I couldn't really find anything wrong with your article, and as you can see from the comment above, you've already been given a job opportunity!!!! I would like to know how this story ended. I probably won't have time to watch it so you won't spoil anything.
ReplyDeleteI truly appreciate your blog entry. It allows me to think even harder and more intensely on the topic of Apartheid. In response to your comment stating that it didn’t only affect the natives, I agree with you. However, we must also remind ourselves of whom it affects the most. The affects Apartheid had on white children could range from confusion, having the same attitude as the government, or the lack of knowledge of the native people. But in contrast, natives dealt with the social, economic, and mental aspect of apartheid. Sadly to this day they still are.
ReplyDeleteYou did an amazing job with making your topic very interesting; the first topic made me want to read more! You also did very well with giving information and elaborating on it. I honestly think you did very well on your entry and there is not to improve. Good job and congratulations on your opportunity! Lastly, I would like to know how the story ended, it sounds very interesting.