Tsotsi (2005)

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

Director:

Gavin Hood

Writers:

Gavin Hood, Athol Fugard (novel)

Stars:

Presley Chweneyagae, Mothusi Magano, Israel Matseke-Zulu

Won 1 Oscar. Another 22 wins & 18 nominations.

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	...	Morris
Ian Roberts	...	Captain Smit
Percy Matsemela	...	Sergeant Zuma
Thembi Nyandeni	...	Soekie
Owen Sejake	...	Gumboot Dlamini

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.

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Plot Keywords:

baby | slum | criminal | street life | shantytown | 

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Taglines:

Hope Set Him Free

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some strong violent content

Did You Know?

Trivia

Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

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

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Alternate Versions

A open matte version in 1.85 ratio was edited on the french DVD in 2006.

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Connections

Featured in Brows Held High: Yeelen (2013)

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Soundtracks

Ehlala
Lyrics Written by Zola (as Bonginkosi Dlamini)
Music Written by DJ Cleo (as Cleopas Monyepao) & Thabiso Tsotetsi
Performed by Zola

User Reviews

Powerful Cinema

There is a tendency for South African cinema (such as it is) to want to see itself through the eyes of the world. Hence the many comments such as "this film could be set in LA" (ie: it's almost as good as an American movie) As a result, most cinema from South Africa is often very limited in its artistic ambitions and storytelling usually takes second place to making sure South Africa "looks good" on the screen so that "people overseas" will see "our beautiful country" The Australians used to call this the cultural cringe and it also took them some time to find their voice.

Tstosti is a wonderfully told piece of cinema set in the distinctive word of black Johannesburg criminals (I say black, because there is a very different world for white criminals)It works because underneath all the bells and whistles of great camera angles, phenomenal acting and- yes- its unique setting lies something much, much more important: A strong, strong story. A story about things that every human on earth can identify with (love and death). This is not a film for "people overseas"- it's a film in which South Africans to see and hear themselves as real people and not as feeble caricatures gleaned from countless Hollywood movies.

It might well be the start of a something great.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK South Africa

Language:

Zulu Xhosa Afrikaans English

Release Date:

31 March 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tsotsi

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$76,324, 26 February 2006

Gross USA:

$2,912,606

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,891,303

Company Credits

Production Co:

The UK Film & TV Production Company PLC, Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, The National Film and Video Foundation of SA

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min 94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1