THE POWER OF ONE (1992)

In South Africa, just prior to World War II, the English boy P. K. learns boxing from the black prison inmate Geel Piet and music from Doc, who both act as his mentors. Geel Piet spreads the rumor among African tribes that P. K., whom he suspects will become a champion is the mythic Rainmaker, the savior of a united Africa.

Photographed in Great Britain, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, THE POWER OF ONE targets the diversity of languages, races, and tribes as the central obstacle to interracial understanding. If Africa learns to communicate, the film argues, then the African races and peoples will learn to understand one another and see themselves for who they really are-- a single, powerful nation capable of peaceful coexistence. It is also a movie about self-discovery.

P.K.- main character at various ages, English

Geel Piet- respected convict leader of unnamed tribe in prison with Doc. He translates for the guards and becomes mentor to P. K.

Doc- Jewish Professor trapped in South Africa when war breaks out in his home country, Germany.

Maria- daughter of leader of white Africaneer movement in South Africa and P. K. 's love interest

Dr. Marais- Maria's father, a powerful man and potentially the new prime minister and author of apartheid system

Sgt. Borman -cruel and oppressive prison guard

Morrie- P. K. 's best friend and manager

Gideon Duma- top contemporary black fighter who is also a leader of a Zulu political party

Botha- a young Africaneer student and later policeman who adopts the racist attitudes of his "Tribe", the Boers or Africaneers, and acts upon these attitudes by hurting PK throughout the movie

1. Why does PK have to go to boarding school?

2. Why did the Africaneers at boarding school pick on PK?

3. What did PK gain from the Zulu "medicine man"?

4. Where did PK go after Nanny went back to Mogidishu?(Who does he go to stay with)

5. Why do you think Doc was eager to take PK under his wing?(Doc is not PK's grandfather)

6. Where can you find the answer to any question and Why? (What does Doc say?)

7. Why does PK feel the English can "hate as well?"

8. Why is Doc treated differently in prison? (who is running the prison?) Who are "kafers"?

9. Why does Doc introduce PK to boxing?

10. How can "little be big?"(What do you think this means)

11. What deal do PK and Piet make about the bucket and why?

12. Why do the prisoners sing of the Rainmaker around PK?

13. Why do the prisoners sing for Piet?

14. What could be the importance of the Concert to the tribes?

15. What are the words of the song?

16. What does the English professor say about inclusion after PK reads his essay?

17. Why would it be hard for PK to see Maria on a regular basis?

18. What does Gideon Duma accomplishment if he wins his fight with PK? if he loses?

19. Why does PK go to the waterfall?

20. Why do PK and Gideon think it is so important for the people to be taught to read?

21. Why is the training center closed? (On what legal pretense?)

22. Why do they hunt down PK in Alexandra? (on what legal pretense?)

23. What is PK's final decision in the movie? Why?

24. What do you think the purpose of violence is in this movie?(Why does the director use a great deal violence?)

25. What is the power of one?

Explain how this type of civil disobedience would be different than the passive resistence of Ghandi in India or the non-violent protest of Martin Luther King. Why did there need to be increased violence? What are the possible results of this violence?