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Tsotsi (2005)

7.3
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Ratings: 7.3/10 from 19,737 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:

Thug  »

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

In urban slang of Johannesburg "tsotsi" loosely translated means "thug". 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

"Bhambatha"
Written by Thabiso Tsotetsi
Performed by Zola
See more »

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User Reviews

 
SA film catches the international eye
11 September 2005 | by (South Africa) – See all my reviews

Tsotsi tells the story of a tiny fraction of current township life, contrasting to a pretty normal upper middle class family in SA. It's a story about people, love, life, the choices we make, and situations we are sometimes pushed into. Gavin told it like it is (even though he's living in LA, as a talented professional he has no choice), he still remains a boertjie,(local boy), This is our story, 80% of the Art dept live in the townships, and us Umlungus (Whities) depended on our guys to bring across the authenticity of the township life. The direction is superb, I have had the opportunity to work with Gavin before, so this was a dream come true. The combination of Kwaito and Score was masterfully put together. And for what it's worth, Ian Roberts (white cop) really speaks in vernacular. I am proud to have worked on Tsotsi. Though sad, it is full of hope as well. Proudly South African.


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