The Power of One (film)
The Power of One is a 1992 American drama film based on Bryce Courtenays 1989 novel of the same name. Set in South Africa during World War II, the film centers on the life of Peter Philip Peekay or PK KennethKeith, an English boy raised under apartheid, and his conflicted relationships with a German pianist, a Coloured boxing coach and an Afrikaner romantic interest. Directed and edited by John G. Avildsen, the film stars Stephen Dorff, John Gielgud, Morgan Freeman, Armin MuellerStahl and featured a thenunknown Daniel Craig in his film debut.
Being the only English speaker, PK soon earns almost universal contempt from his scathing Afrikaner fellowsparticularly an older student, Jaapie Botha. Bothas abuse and the inferiority complex which results strikes PK with a severe case of nocturnal enuresis, a habit which he eventually overcomes with local sangoma Dabula Manzi. In conquering his nightmares, PK is given a chicken Mother Courage, which becomes his closest companion. Botha subsequently captures PK and Mother Courage and has them tried before a mock court while elaborating on the depth of his hatred for the Britisha people he holds responsible for atrocities committed during the Second Boer War. The Afrikaans boys hang Mother Courage, but their attempts to kill PK in a similar manner are interrupted by a teacher who later oversees Bothas expulsion.With his mother dead, PK finds himself living with his grandfather in Barberton. He eventually seeks a mentor in Karl Doc von Vollensteen Armin MuellerStahl, a lonely German musician who lost his family in Europe. Doc warms to PK and under his guidance the latter soon becomes an excellent pianist. He is interned as an enemy alien at the onset of World War II, but PK continues to visit him regularly in prison. Doc introduces the boy to Geel Piet, a Cape Coloured inmate who takes von Vollensteens place as PKs mentor, training him to be an excellent boxer. Piet also impresses on PK his mantra first with the head, then with the heart, a phrase that will see the young man through even greater hard times ahead. ........
Source: Wikipedia
