by Genna Dalrymple
1930, the year the South African film introduces the main character “Peter Philip Kenneth-Keith,” “Peekay,” or “PK” alongside his English mother, African nanny and her son, PK’s best-friend, Tonderai. All is well until their cattle farm meets misfortune and Peekay is sent to a boarding school. His fellow students are Afrikaners (those of Dutch origin settled in South Africa) while he is the only English student. A recipe for trouble even though him and his peers are both white.
The film is adapted from Bryce Courtenay’s novel The Power of One published in 1989. The setting and time period of the film is peculiar because it came to theatres in 1992, many years after the period it was set in. A major worldwide event was occurring during this time, and I find it fascinating that the original author chose to represent South Africa – out of all places and times – during World War II. It is remarkable that this little corner of the world got some recognition though, even if it isn’t entirely historically accurate.
While apartheid – white supremacy over South Africans (which is still in place today in 2018) – is a constant theme throughout the film, it is shocking that racially, PK is seen as inferior to the white Afrikaners. PK himself is an English boy with blue eyes and blonde hair transitioning into manhood. Because of this, he suffers in boarding school. This suffering is carried out by a gang of bullies, the ringleader being Jaapie Botha. He is slim and tall compared to his peers, with blonde hair and he bears a swastika tattoo. At one point in the film, Peekay is cornered in the school’s restroom and the movie shows the Afrikaner boys relieving themselves on the main character as he helplessly endures the abuse. From this scene, he earns the nickname “Pisskop.”
Throughout the film, helplessness is portrayed more consistently than the underlying political themes. Being as nearly ⅓ of the US population has experienced bullying at one point in their lives, and every human being has certainly experienced the feeling of helplessness, it is easy to relate and sympathize with this character.
The main focus is on the character and his experiences during the cruel time-period. If you are watching for a pin-point exaction of details for South Africa during World War II, then you are watching for the wrong reason. The film does bring a substantial amount of historical context to the table for what it is, this is valuable as many Americans don’t see this side of things with the popular concept of Americentric. This film acts as a looking-glass and gives the viewer a glimpse of the countries history while following and portraying the events that shaped this young man.
Another scene involves PK’s pet chicken – “Mother Courage” – his best-friend throughout the remainder of boarding school, gifted to him by a woman. I’ll admit this part of the story was vague and the whole gifting process was… weird and ritualistic, involving dancing around a fire after sunset until he was presented with “Mother Courage.”
This brief scene could have used some work and context as the director’s message isn’t clear. The woman holds a position as shaman. As strict as the boarding school seems, I figured sneaking into the night with a shaman, would be a larger deal and this was not portrayed. I would like to know more about her role and if she was involved with the school in any way. Prior, it shows no connection between her and PK and this scene is overall confusing for the viewer. Other than some of the story being left out, it is easy to follow the concept of him being gifted the chicken.
The same pet chicken is in one of the final scenes at the boarding school. Keep in mind how much he loves this chicken, he cuddles up with the chicken in his bunk at night and MC can always be found shadowing PK. In this miserable situation, at least they have each other. Then, surrounded by the Afrikaners, Mother Courage is hung from a noose slung over the support of the building. PK, overcome with emotions as his flightless bird ceases to struggle against the rope and is finally taken out by a slingshot, reacts in anger on the main perpetrator, Jaapie Botha. From this PK suffers a brutal beating once again until a teacher walks in on the boys and thus comes Jaapie’s expulsion.
Fast forward. Briefly, PK stays with his grandfather and winds up with a mentor who will end up tremendously impacting his life – “Doc,” a middle-aged man of German origin and a green thumb, at least when it comes to tobacco. PK follows Doc when he is interned as a foreigner as the war approaches. This mentor that he has grown close with, introduces him to Geel Piet (played by Morgan Freeman). Piet teaches him to be an excellent boxer.
Apart from the tragedy following the end of the war and the rest of PK’s life, the theme of white supremacy becomes dominant and PK, as a single man at this point, works towards a revolution. Even though he does not see it this way, that is the example he sets for others and it is the standard he holds himself to. While his achievements are somewhat far-fetched compared to any singular person, watching this boy defeat his adversaries time after time is something to relate to no matter the case when we feel like keeps testing us. His perseverance and willingness to help those around him set a strong example to be unique and confident in yourself, even when you are going against everyone around you.
At the same time, the viewer must make inferences, the film cannot and should not have to explain every minute detail. There is an incredible amount of information I missed upon the first watching of this film. The scenes that had stuck with me and seemed to take up ten minutes of the film, in fact, took only seconds. While it is full of lengthy context it does an excellent job of making an impact, unless you are a heartless human being and chicken hanging doesn’t make you feel some type of way.