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The story of a rugby match that changed the destiny of a country, a true story that shows the ability of sport to unite a diverse range of people. We are talking about 'Invictus', one of the most eagerly awaited films of recent months, which opens here this Friday (29th January).

The action takes place in South Africa in 1995, only a year after the first multiracial elections in the country's history. The election had been won by the black political leader Nelson Mandela, a symbol of the struggle against apartheid, the racial segregation system imposed by the white minority for many years. The elections marked the end of this abominable system.

Nevertheless, the wounds of so many years of apartheid are far from healed. There is mistrust between the black majority and the white minority. Against the backdrop of this situation, Mandela is trying to use a sporting event (the Rugby World Cup, hosted by South Africa) to unite the country.

This is the political context of 'Invictus', directed by Clint Eastwood. Morgan Freeman plays Mandela and Matt Damon plays the role of François Pienaar, the South African rugby captain. 'Invictus' is based on a book called 'Playing the Enemy' ('El factor humà' published by Campana in Catalan), by the journalist John Carlin, who was the South Africa correspondent of the English newspaper 'The Independent' from 1989 to 1995.