Next Viewing:
March 10; 7:00pm
Camera 12
March 11; 2:15pm
Camera 12

We Shall Over Come
Danish with English subtitles
I’m a sucker for the underdog, I really am. I root for the down trodden and yell encouragement to those pushing against unfair systems. We Shall Overcome fits my likes nicely. Director Niels Arden Oplev takes the strength of a true story and spins an inspiring tale so all of us can be ennobled.
Frits is 13. He doesn’t fit in. Not just for being awkward and from a lower economic strata, but in peer mindset. He’s a self thinker. He thinks differently. He thinks deeper. And in this case, not fitting in is a good thing. Frits is in secondary school overseen by a headmaster who must think he’s in charge of national defense. Everything is his way; the slightest infraction pounced on with force and deliberate intention.
One summer, with his father ill and with income waning, his family receives a used television, their only source of entertainment. No trips to other countries. No, but the daily journey’s throughout the world were a treat! Frits is exposed to the 1960s, his education consists of the tumultuous time of change and growth and social rights, especially in the United States. He watches the civil rights movement and is inspired by the wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr.’s orations. That inspiration emboldens him to face down his peers, and more importantly, to challenge the unreasonable and tyrannical authority of his school – the headmaster. There is a cost that he’s willing to pay.
When Frits begins a new school and steps outside the social lines established by others, he’s branded a trouble maker. His hair length is Beatle-ish and therefore, wrong. A mistake trips the lad into the girl’s locker room after which the headmaster’s rage is out of proportion and sends Frits to the hospital.
A free-thinking teacher, Freddie (Berthelsen) takes Frits under his wing and helps him and his family face the power of an unmovable administration. The Headmaster has a history of uncontrolled violence and needs to be taken down. But his standing in the community is high (though his actions are so very low) and finding justice will be difficult.
Rathke performs nicely as Fritz, with an intelligent level of youthful concern and combat. The conclusion to the Headmaster’s story may not fit our form of justice, but the story of Frits provides us with an inspiration not to accept second rate behavior, especially to ourselves. “We Shall Overcome” offers inspiration and strength for us all. Many have had to stand up for their rights, facing down strong opposition. So does Frits. And so do we at times. In the end he wins over hardship and so must we. The film can be a bit ragged here and there, but overall, “We Shall Overcome” is quite a pleasant film.