{"id":3108,"date":"2014-03-14T00:53:02","date_gmt":"2014-03-14T00:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/?p=3108"},"modified":"2014-03-14T00:53:02","modified_gmt":"2014-03-14T00:53:02","slug":"plot-for-peace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/documentary\/plot-for-peace\/","title":{"rendered":"Plot For Peace ****"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"a-plot-for-peace\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The opening shot to this fascinating documentary, Plot For Peace<\/em>, shows an unassuming man playing a card game, accompanied by a voiceover. The setting itself feels theatrical, as though subsequent events are a new fictional-feature spin on the release of one of the world\u2019s most iconic statesmen, Nelson Mandela, and the end of Apartheid in South Africa. We soon learn that this is French-Algerian businessman and international diplomat Jean-Yves Ollivier, known as \u2018Monsieur Jacques\u2019. He\u2019s real and has quite a story to tell, doing so in an unanticipated fashion.<\/p>\n

This well-kept \u2018secret weapon\u2019 behind Mandela\u2019s release is supported by on-camera confirmation from a \u2018star-studded cast\u2019, including Winnie Mandela (ANC activist and Mandela\u2019s ex), Thabo Mbeki (former President of South Africa) and even Pik Botha (former Minister of Foreign Affairs for South Africa at the time), plus other heads of state, generals, diplomats, master spies, etc. The film skilfully uses news documentary footage to illustrate the story being told and events unfolding along the timeline, to really capture the imagination of the atmosphere and tension of the time, like any good thriller would. Directors Carlos Agull\u00f3 and Mandy Jacobson simplify the complex political situation, adding excitement with the help of their lead character and writer Stephen Smith.<\/p>\n

There is undoubtedly an ego to Monsieur Jacques that helped move political mountains, and the directors\u2019 film gives a canvas for this key player to shine through in all his formerly anonymous glory. However, it\u2019s not arrogantly and dramatically done, but understated and dignified, so much so, that you sometimes crave for more detail as to just how this individual ticks, how he did some of the best negotiating in history. On the other hand, there is still a guarded air of mystique as to his methods that pricks curiosity further; here\u2019s just hoping that it didn\u2019t merely boil down to a healthy financial offering.<\/p>\n

Monsieur Jacques \u2013 who reveals how he orchestrated the removal of South African troops out of Angola and was key in a prisoner swap in Mozambique in the late Eighties \u2013 looks like a wheeler dealer (complete with villain) who looks like he enjoys too much of the fine life. However, he subtly wins you over as being one of the most remarkable politicians in history. This gets you thinking of how many more \u2018hidden\u2019 middlemen there are out there who also have compelling stories to tell, but might be sworn to state secrecy. If this were a novel plot, you would be hard pressed to believe it, and yet there feels like a whole lot more information \u2018missing\u2019 from the film that you can\u2019t quite put a finger on. Perhaps there is just too much for one sitting?<\/p>\n

In the end you realise just how monumental\u00a0Plot For Peace<\/em> is to our understanding of historical events \u2013 and how timely with Mandela\u2019s death. There is definitely more to Monsieur Jacques that we might never get to hear, but are spurred on to go forth and discover. In that case, it\u2019s a documentary well done.<\/p>\n

4\/5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n

By @FilmGazer<\/p>\n

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