With Endgame director Pete Travis has formulated the minute details of pre-negotiations to rid South Africa of apartheid. What begins as a slow and boring history lesson quickly turns into the emotional tale of two opposing men fighting to end the armed conflict between their people. Set in the years leading up to President F.W. de Klerk’s release of Nelson Mandela Endgame does what few political thrillers attempt: presents both sides at the table just as they are. This is not a film meant to slap the wrists of the oppressor or terrorist, it is instead the story of how two opposing men can come to respect and care for one another.
Consolidated Gold, a British mining concern, sees in the abolishment of apartheid an advantage for themselves. So a young head of public affairs sets out to begin covert negotiations between the African National Congress (ANC) and other prominent figures in the South African struggle. Chief among the renowned members of these talks are ANC leader Thabo Mbeki (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Afrikaner philosophy professor Willie Esterhuyse (William Hurt). If you’ve yet to have the pleasure of watching Ejiofor in a film this is a great place to start. I’m not certain he’s ready for an Oscar nomination, but when he is people will look back to his passionate and stellar portrayal of Mbeki and say this was the start of that journey.
The story of Endgame is generally known, but what Travis does with the film is take the covert talks initiated by Consolidated Gold and frame them around the turmoil of South Africa in the mid-80s. As Mbeki and Esterhuyse try to come up with the concessions and reconciliations that might be acceptable by the ANC and government, we are shown the reactions of the world outside the reclusive British manor where the talks are held. For years the ANC has preached that only through violence will the South African government listen, and now with one of their own leaders setting out to have civilized talks the cadres on the ground feel betrayed. So much so that even Mbeki’s life is put at stake. It’s moments like these throughout the film – or the days of house arrest Nelson Mandela is shown in – that punch up the drama.
What could be a banal retelling of history is turned instead into a beacon of hope. We are told at the end of the film that Hamas is today talking with the ANC about how they finally got to the negotiating table. Endgame isn’t necessarily about the release of Mandela or the end of apartheid, it is the true story of how opposing forces in a major conflict can talk things out. Despite great differences even the most extreme of enemies can, with time and desire, sit down and lay down their arms.
