Benedicta Taylor 10RD
Film Review Of Tsotsi
Anyone who thinks Tsotsi is just South Africa's version of an urban crime drama will be surprised to discover a cinematic masterpiece any country would be proud of. Tsotsi may tell the story of a ghetto thug who rediscovers his humanity, but the film reaches further than its main character, becoming a global parable on decency.
The word "Tsotsi" means "thug... gangster... hoodlum," It's also the name of this film's lead character. Tsotsi (Presley Chweneyagae) is so detached from any innate human feelings that he has shed his actual name to describe himself.
We see how detached Tsotsi is after a botched shakedown on a subway. An innocent man is left dead and, even though it was surprising to Tsotsi, he betrays no regret whatsoever. One of Tsotsi's gang members, Boston (Mothusi Magano) questions why, as a human being, he isn't sickened by what they have done. This exposes a nerve and Tsotsi's response is even a little too vicious for him to retaliate against his inner turmoil, Tsotsi turns to what he does best... being a hoodlum by punching and kicking him so badly that he was half dead. While car jacking from the neighbouring upper class suburb, Tsotsi shoots a woman only to find that her car isn't the only thing he has stolen, in the back is the woman's baby. This baby reawakens Tsotsi's decency with a rush. He finds himself rethinking his life from top to bottom... from his own childhood to now.
