Tsotsi- "Thug" (2005)

INTERNATIONAL FILM -SOUTH AFRICAN. I love foreign film. I do, I really really do, so its all well and good making reviews about Hollywood blockbusters, but why wouldn't I make reviews on some of the greatest independent films of all time. So I've took it upon myself to watch the South African film Tsotsi
Tsotsi, played by an actor named Presley Chweneyagae, is the story of a 19 year old man who **Spoiler alert ** who accidentally kidnap a young child whilst taking place in an armed robbery of a car. The film, set in the shanty towns in Johannesburg symbolises the difficulty faced by the many black South Africans in life. The opening sequence is the most important aspect of the film as Tsotsi and his gang, Aap, Boston and Butcher are involved in the murder of a man on a train, Boston, being the educated on in the film questions Tsotsi on the murder of the man and why did he do it, " Decency" is the recurring message by Boston in the film which symbolises the dog eat dog style of life in South Africa as Tsotsi is unfazed by this and eventually beats Boston up for his constant arguing.
As the film progresses and the kidnapping takes place, it becomes evident that Tsotsi is attempting to look after the child in any way he can, so he meets a young woman in the shanty town and orders her to feed and bath the child, he then vows to look after the child any means necessary, this includes the murder of his friend Butcher and the robbery of a car to pay for the child's necessities.
The use of Kwaito music shapes the film ion a particular Way- it reflects the harsh urban environment in many ways. More traditional South African music then creates almost spiritual sens of thing at particular times in the film as Tsotsi goes onto a redemption run.
I really don't want to ruin this film you all as its a must watch so I'm not going to give away the ending, so all I can say from here is, this is a real cut throat film, harsh in reality of life in South Africa but could be said that the film does include an ending which can provide hope and faith for a nation at large, on a lighter note I have been in hysterics on certain aspects of this film, my favorite character in this whole film is Aap, his simple minded ways would make you chuckle and when he constantly quotes the word, "s'good s'good", you will be honestly crossing your legs in laughter. On the whole I would happily give this film a 7/10.