ONE attends advanced screening of “Invictus”

Dec 11th, 2009 11:56 AM UTC
By Roscoe Mapps

Warner Brothers Studios allowed only one advanced screening of the new movie Invictus this past week, and ONE was lucky enough to be there this Wednesday night in the City of West Hollywood. Several ONE members from the Los Angeles area participated in the special event featuring the new, sure-to-be blockbuster movie starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, which opens nationwide today. The special screening was organized by the City of West Hollywood and TheCommunity.com—a new effort to raise awareness of human rights around the world. ONE was happy to play a role in setting up and speaking at the event.

If you haven’t seen the previews yet, Invictus tells the inspiring true story of how South African President Nelson Mandela maximized an opportunity to unite his country though the common interest of sport during the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The first black South African President—and a human rights icon—teaming with a white rugby captain during a perilous time in the country’s history was certainly unlikely, but the result showed how leadership, understanding, and a belief in justice can overcome mankind’s most historic challenges: race divisions, economic and social injustices, and inequality.

Of course ONE members were brilliant at the event. They arrived two hours before show time and helped the event staff set up for the screening. Soon thereafter, our ONE table was ready to go and conversations were taking place with approximately 300 patrons who attended. It was an honor to speak before the film and to articulate ONE’s support for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Human Rights Day was Dec. 10) along with other NGOs who work in their unique ways to see the end of extreme poverty in our lifetimes.

During my short address to the audience, I noted the importance of the timing of this event as South Africa prepares again for the 2010 World Cup, this time, of course, in soccer. Inevitably the world will once again turn its attention to South Africa—and by extension the continent. So, this summer provides a unique opportunity for ONE and our partners to showcase the progress and promise of visionary, strong leaders on the continent of Africa, and how progress is being made in the fight against poverty and disease.

In the end, the film brought laughter, tears, and joy—it is always evidence of a powerful film when people stay in their seats during the credits to reflect on what they just saw. Afterwards also, it was great to see ONE members receive more inquiries to join ONE, with people being inspired by the message of the film: unity, strong leadership, a hopeful Africa on the move. On behalf of ONE members in West Hollywood and Los Angeles I’d like to thank the Pacific Design Center which held the event, organizer Bonnie Abaunza, and the City of West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land and Mayor Pro Tempore John Heilman. And if you have some free time this weekend, I’d absolutely recommend you check out Invictus.

TAGS: ONE