Tsotsi (2005)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

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 | Criminal | Change | Robbery | 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:

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

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:

Benoni Blues

SA film catches the international eye

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.