Pioneers of lofty ideals show their true qualities as a craftsman-"Escape from Pretoria"

Jess 2022-12-01 13:21:19

Pioneers of lofty ideals show their true qualities as a craftsman-"Escape from Pretoria"

Today we will talk about the movie "Escape from Pretoria".

The title is Escape from Pretoria (2020), and the alias is Key Ming Prison (Taiwan).

This film is adapted from real historical events and tells the escape of two white anti-racism fighters.

In 1978, white Tim Jenkin and Stephen Lee took part in the anti-apartheid operation of the African National Congress (ANC, referred to as ANC) in South Africa. They detonated a homemade "flyer bomb" on the streets and were arrested shortly thereafter. Sentenced to 12 years.

Tim Jenkin and Stephen Lee were thrown into Pretoria prison. Together with their predecessors Dennis Goldberg and Frenchman Leonard, they planned and implemented a successful escape.

Let's talk about the title first. Tshwane, the capital of South Africa, was originally called Pretoria.

Pretoria was founded in 1855. The city was named after the Boer leader Pretoria. His son Marsilaos was the founder of the city of Pretoria. There are statues of their father and son in the city. In 1860, it was the capital of the Transvaal Republic established by the Boers. In 1900, it was occupied by the British and became a member of the Commonwealth. On May 31, 1961, it announced its withdrawal from the Commonwealth.

Because of suspicion of colonialism and racial discrimination, on March 7, 2005, Pretoria changed its name to the current Tshwane.

From the establishment of the name change process in South Africa and its capital, Pretoria, it can be seen that this country is closely integrated with colonial racial discrimination.

On May 31, 1961, after South Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth, the Republic of South Africa was established. The white South African rulers used legislative and administrative means to promote racial discrimination and apartheid policies in the country for a long time, and successively promulgated hundreds of racist laws and decrees, fully implemented the apartheid system, and suppressed the resistance struggle of the South African people.

"Escape from Pretoria" happened in this context.

It is right for blacks to resist racial discrimination. No one is born willing to be discriminated against. The struggle against discrimination is long and arduous.

When white people joined the fight against racial discrimination, it seemed very unusual. As a person with vested interests, enjoying more than generous treatment, there are still people who want to give up these. It is hard to imagine. It is no wonder that the white law enforcement officers in the film, seeing Tim Jenkin and other political prisoners, are just like seeing the "two or five boys" with a look of hatred and abhorrence, which is more hateful than seeing blacks.

In fact, it’s not difficult to understand that Tim Jenkin’s family is in excellent conditions, and Dennis Goldberg, the eldest man in prison, was born in the royal family. Only when he is completely liberated in terms of material conditions can he have the opportunity to be exposed to advanced ideas and choose to join him. The cause of human liberation. From this point of view, these people are all respectable and lovable fearless pioneers.

The protagonist Tim Jenkin is played by Daniel Radcliffe. The cute Harry Potter is no longer there. He is replaced by a greasy uncle. Daniel, in his 30s, can't live in the shadow of Harry Potter forever, so he pursued innovation and change, choosing such a challenging role.

The whole film can be said to be a one-man show by Daniel. Another Stephen Lee, who was in jail, has a very weak sense of presence in the film. At most, he is playing the flag and shouting.

It is also a prison escape, Tim Jenkin's choice is to carry forward the spirit of craftsmanship and use his professional expertise to make the carpentry industry a permanent headache for the jailer.

In just 400 days, Tim Jenkin made 39 wooden keys and opened the door to freedom from the cell.

The main body of the film is all used to show that Tim Jenkin makes the key, continuous measurement, continuous production, door by door breaking the title, in order to one day be able to escape from prison.

It is such a seemingly simple story of a carpenter's escape from prison. The director and actors performed nervously and excitedly. Compared with the hot but procrastinating "Prison Break", "Escape from Pretoria" appears more flavorful.

The excellent editing technique makes the breathtaking escape process exciting. The little hearts of the audience were uneasy with the ups and downs of the lock. The characters on the screen and the audience outside the screen are so atmospheric that they dare not make a sound.

However, the ability of the South African capital to build prisons in the city is really an urban planning genius. If you build your prison on an isolated island like "Break into the Dead Island", how could there be so much trouble. After all, the ruling class is content with the status quo, not aggressive, and paralyzed by the tranquility in front of them.

Jailbreaking is just a small wave of waves that appear when the undercurrent is surging, and the revolution that really kills them is yet to come...

Pioneers of lofty ideals show their true qualities as a craftsman,

The square inch is full of thrills.

Here is the distribution center for hardcore movie fans, welcome to pay attention: Miaokan Film and Television

View more about Escape from Pretoria reviews

Extended Reading

Escape from Pretoria quotes

  • Denis Goldberg: Don't run away, stay and fight!

    Tim Jenkin: [holds up a key] This is how we fight!