The Cinemaniac Corner: Citius, Altius, Fortius

CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS

The first approach to sports through the wonderful world of movies is discouraging. What on Earth do sports have to do with cinema?

But, appealing to our memories, it soon becomes clear that there are quite a few films with a relation with physical effort; and, even more, three or four of them to my mind are unforgettable. Others are very often related to some classic Hollywood topics such as boxing –for instance `Rocky´ (1976) -, or baseball -`Remember the Titans´ (2000), among dozens of others -.

We also can find good films touching on other sports, such as soccer: `Bend it like Beckham´ (2002) or the world of the Olympic Games: `Munich´ (2005), `Asterix at the Olympic Games´ (2008), and so on.

Together with the Olympic symbols, such as the flag with the five colourful rings, the Olympic Hymn, the Olympic torch and flame, or the Oath; there is an ancient Latin Olympic inscription that reminds us of the importance of self-improvement, effort, courage and the endless pursuit of new aims: `Citius, Altius, Fortius´, which could be translated as `Faster, Higher, Stronger´.

CITIUS

faster

Chariots of Fire (1981)

Nowadays, we live in a country that has a kind of national obsession about running. A lot of people run regularly, participate in races for all kinds of reasons: to fight against cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis or raising awareness about road accidents. Many regularly read magazines such as `Runners´, and running shoes are sold more than ever in sport shops and department stores.

But perhaps very few of our vigorous compatriots know that the origin of the title of this classic movie about running -famous for its music by the Greek composer Vangelis- was a work by the English poet William Blake: Jerusalem.

And did those feet in ancient time
walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
among these dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold:
Bring me my arrows of desire:
Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire.

I will not cease from mental fight,
nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

I won´t say too much about the film itself, because I think it is generally well known. Only to mention on the one hand that it seems to me a very appropriate movie to watch for those who love British history and culture, and also for those who want to learn about the early twentieth-century Olympic Games –in this case, the 1924 Olympics held in Paris-. On the other, to add that it presents a remarkable perspective about valiant achievements and the overcoming of anti-Semitism.

ALTIUS

      higher

Soul Surfer (2011)

Much more recently made and much less watched or known, we find this American drama that tells us part of the biography of a young surfer, Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm in a shark attack off the coast of Hawaii.

The girl had learnt to surf before she could even walk, and playing with the wind and the waves was her daily pleasure. Actually, surfing was also her parents and two brothers’ passion, and more than just a hobby.

The `accident´ happens on a Halloween’s Eve, some days after she has refused to cooperating in a church service because of a surfing competition. At the time, she was very young –thirteen years old- although in the movie she looks a bit older.

The story goes on to relate several events, such as a championship in which our main character refuses to use the small time advantage that the judges offer her in consideration for her disability. In this national competition, she is able to feel an enormous wave coming up and therefore get longest surfing profit of it, but… out of the set time!

Besides this and other episodes of her life, her great compassionate heart leads her to join a youth group and travel with them to Phuket, Thailand, where its coasts, devastated by the 2004 Tsunami has made children very afraid of the ocean. She helps them to enjoy the sea again and get a taste for the pleasure of surfing.

This is a moving teenage film of courage, sport in nature, family and generosity.  

FORTIUS

stronger

Invictus (2009)

Now that we are all concerned with Nelson Mandela’s health because of his age and illness, I like to remember this moving Clint Eastwood film that I saw some years ago.

The movie, starring Morgan Freeman, tells us an earlier story of a relevant rugby final between the New Zealand team (the All Blacks) and the national team of South Africa (the Springboks), just after Mandela’s arrival to the presidency.

The Springboks were considered to be a symbol of Apartheid, so they were hated by more than a half of the population.

The film relates to us the process of how both factions of the country’s people, long in conflict; reach the point of unity. At least with regard to their national Rugby Team and the very important final referred to above. In this task, Mandela is helped by the Springbok’s captain, Francois Pienaar.

One especially effective moment is when the whole team visits the jail where Mandela was imprisoned for twenty seven years. Another is when Mandela offers Pienaar the poem that buoyed him up in resistance and faith, the poem `Invictus´:

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
for my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
my head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
and yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
how charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

The Latin title `Invictus´ means `undefeated´ and this recalls to us the peaceful resistance that enabled Mandela to forgive even the people that kept him incarcerated.

Moreover, reconciliation is made between Mandela’s security guards and their previous President’s comrades, both sides recognizing their high level of professionalism.

It is, no doubt, an interesting sport movie, but also a great one about an exceptional policy on the thorny topic of Apartheid, Henley’s celebrated poem and human rights.

The Thanksgiving Turkey