Tsotsi (2005)

Director:

Gavin Hood

Writers:

Athol Fugard (novel)
Gavin Hood (written by)

Release Date:

23 December 2005 (South Africa)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

In this world... redemption just comes once.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Baby | Slum | Gangster | Beggar | Blood

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 13 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Presley Chweneyagae	...	David / Tsotsi
Terry Pheto	...	Miriam
Kenneth Nkosi	...	Aap
Mothusi Magano	...	Boston
Zenzo Ngqobe	...	Butcher
Zola	...	Fela
Rapulana Seiphemo	...	John Dube
Nambitha Mpumlwana	...	Pumla Dube
Jerry Mofokeng	...	Morris
Ian Roberts	...	Captain Smit
Percy Matsemela	...	Sergeant Zuma
Thembi Nyandeni	...	Soekie
Owen Sejake	...	Gumboot Dlamini
Israel Makoe	...	David / Tsotsi's father
Sindi Khambule	...	David / Tsotsi's Mother

Also Known As:

Thug (International: English title) (literal English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some strong violent content.

Runtime:

USA:94 min | Canada:94 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

UK | South Africa

Language:

Zulu | Xhosa | Afrikaans | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:R | UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:12 | Finland:K-15 | Sweden:15 | Germany:12 | Spain:13 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Hong Kong:IIB | Singapore:NC-16 | Argentina:13 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Portugal:M/12 | Japan:R-15 | South Korea:15 | Norway:15 (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Company:

The UK Film & TV Production Company PLC

Trivia:

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

Goofs:

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

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "HBO First Look: Two Sides of a Story: The Making of 'Rendition' (#14.25)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Zingu 7

powerful and emotionally steering

there is nothing i can really say to tell you why you should go watch this film right now without spoiling the film, but this film is powerful, detailed, well shot, written and emotionally grabbing. top performances by the talent of tsotsi, with the supporting cast all being equally impressive. This may not be for everyone; its not exactly art house, but there's enough dexterity and layers in the movie to scare away the Hollywood-type people. some films which can be compared to this film are the likes of city of god, even some larry David films like kids, and bully. in short, its a film which covers misplaced childhood and troubled adolescence. watch this as soon as you're able to and enjoy tsotsi.

10/10