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Tsotsi (2005)

7.3
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Ratings: 7.3/10 from 19,767 users   Metascore: 70/100
Reviews: 165 user | 148 critic | 35 from Metacritic.com

Six days in the violent life of a young Johannesburg gang leader (Chweneyagae).

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(novel),
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Title: Tsotsi (2005)

Tsotsi (2005) on IMDb 7.3/10

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 13 wins & 12 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Presley Chweneyagae ...
Tsotsi
Terry Pheto ...
Miriam
Kenneth Nkosi ...
Aap
Mothusi Magano ...
Boston
Zenzo Ngqobe ...
Butcher
Zola ...
Fela
Rapulana Seiphemo ...
John Dube
Nambitha Mpumlwana ...
Pumla Dube
Nonthuthu Sibisi ...
The Baby
Ntuthuko Sibisi ...
The Baby
Jerry Mofokeng ...
Ian Roberts ...
Captain Smit
Percy Matsemela ...
Sergeant Zuma
Thembi Nyandeni ...
Soekie
Owen Sejake ...
Gumboot Dlamini
Edit

Storyline

In Johannesburg, a small time criminal, Tsotsi, is a teenager without feelings, hardened by his tough life. After a series of violent gang hits, Tsotsi hijacks a car. However, whilst driving, Tsotsi finds that there is a baby on the back seat. He brings the baby to his house in the slum. The next six days bring about a change in him that couldn't be foreseen. Written by based on the review by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

baby | slum | criminal | ant | youth | See more »

Taglines:

Hope Set Him Free See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some strong violent content | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

| |  »

Country:

|

Language:

| | |

Release Date:

23 December 2005 (South Africa)  »

Also Known As:

Il suo nome è Tsotsi  »

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$47,179 (New Zealand) (2 June 2006)

Gross:

$2,912,363 (USA) (7 July 2006)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

|

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the first Miramax release since founders Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein left the company. See more »

Goofs

When Tsotsi enters the room of the kidnapped child, you can see (on the right hand side) that the wall paper is false. See more »

Quotes

Morris: [after hearing a defining moment in Tsotsi/David's childhood] What kind of bastard would break a dog's back?
See more »

Connections

Featured in The 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards (2006) See more »

Soundtracks

"Munt'omnyama"
Written by T. Kgosinkwe, A. Muphemi & T. Seate
Performed by Mafikizolo
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
A true gem
2 December 2005 | by (Poland) – See all my reviews

Seldom do I see a film that makes me want to start babbling about it to everyone I meet. I even registered just to vote and to say a few words.

Beautiful pictures, simple story and one tremendously talented actor by the name of Presley. This man is a national treasure to be cherished as a god of African cinematography. I had the feeling that he could make even the worst movie with the most tragic script into Shakespeare. Don't let the world forget this actor, because seldom do you see such raw talent, so much body and facial expression and so much depth. And he probably doesn't even have a formal education.

Congratulations to Gavin Hood, the Polish producers and above all to Lance Gewers, who I think should win Camerimage.

There was a question at the press conference, where one of the press seemed almost disgusted that Gewers did the unfashionable and instead of filming from the hand like in "City of God" he decided for the static approach. I hate fundamentalism of any sorts and it seems that right now everybody thinks hand-filming to be the only way to go.

I agree with Gewers: If a film is shot from the hand then the story stops being about the people and becomes about 'technical tricks'. Lance Gewers, I salute you.


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