View source for Tsotsi

{{short description|2005 film directed by Gavin Hood}}
{{about|the film|the novel|Tsotsi (novel)|the language|Tsotsitaal}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Tsotsi
| image          = Tsotsiposter.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Gavin Hood]]
| producer       = [[Peter Fudakowski]]
| screenplay     = Gavin Hood
| based_on       = ''[[Tsotsi (novel)|Tsotsi]]'' <br> by [[Athol Fugard]]
| starring       = [[Presley Chweneyagae]]
| music          = [[Vusi Mahlasela]]<br>Mark Kilian<br>[[Paul Hepker]]
| cinematography = Lance Gewer
| editing        = Megan Gill
| studio         = The UK Film & TV Production Company PLC<br>Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa<br>The National Film and Video Foundation of SA<br>Moviworld<br>Tsotsi Films
| distributor    = [[Ster-Kinekor|Ster-Kinekor Pictures]]<br>{{small|(South Africa)}}<br>[[Momentum Pictures]] {{small|(United Kingdom)}}
| released       = {{Film date|df=y|2005|8|18|[[Edinburgh Film Festival]]|2005|12|23|South Africa}}
| runtime        = 95 minutes
| country        = South Africa<br>United Kingdom
| language       = [[Setswana]]<br>[[Zulu language|Zulu]]<br>[[Sesotho]]<br>[[Afrikaans]]<br> English
| budget         = $3 million<ref name="numbers">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Tsotsi#tab=box-office|title=Tsotsi (2006) - Financial Information|work=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]|access-date=15 March 2018|archive-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316023709/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Tsotsi#tab=box-office|url-status=live}}</ref>
| gross          = $11.5 million<ref name="numbers" />
}}
'''''Tsotsi''''' is a 2005 [[Crime film|crime]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] written and directed by [[Gavin Hood]] and produced by [[Peter Fudakowski]]. It is an adaptation of the novel ''[[Tsotsi (novel)|Tsotsi]]'' by [[Athol Fugard]], and is a South African/UK co-production. Set in the [[Alexandra, Gauteng|Alexandra slum]] in [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]], it stars [[Presley Chweneyagae]] as David/Tsotsi (meaning "criminal" - see also [[Tsotsitaal and Camtho|Tsotsitaal]]), a young street thug who steals a car only to discover a baby in the back seat. It also features [[Kenneth Nkosi]], [[Jerry Mofokeng]], and [[Rapulana Seiphemo]] in supporting roles.<ref>{{Citation|title=Tsotsi|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468565/|access-date=2020-08-13|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815225618/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468565/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The soundtrack features [[Kwaito]] music performed by South African artist [[Zola 7|Zola]] and Afro-pop group [[Mafikizolo]], as well as a score by Mark Kilian and [[Paul Hepker]] with the voice of South African [[Protest song|protest singer]] and [[poet]] [[Vusi Mahlasela]].

The film was praised, particularly for its writing, direction, and performances, especially Chweneyagae's and Pheto's, [[cinematography]] and for emotional weight. It went on to win the 2006 [[Academy Award for Best International Feature Film]] and was nominated for the [[Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film]], becoming the first [[List of South African films|South African film]] and first African film not made in [[French language|French]] to win the former.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2006-03-06|title=Oscar Win for South African Film|url=http://blog.sa-venues.com/miscellaneous/oscar-win/|access-date=2020-08-13|website=South Africa Travel Blog|language=en-US|archive-date=13 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613044129/http://blog.sa-venues.com/miscellaneous/oscar-win/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Tsotsi wins Academy Award {{!}} South African History Online|url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/tsotsi-wins-academy-award|access-date=2020-08-13|website=www.sahistory.org.za|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807184937/https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/tsotsi-wins-academy-award|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media|url=https://consent.yahoo.com/collectConsent?sessionId=1_cc-session_216ca1a0-a86c-4b4e-a2e3-d18a78c7c33b&lang=en-gb&inline=false|access-date=2020-08-13|website=consent.yahoo.com}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2009, it was unofficially remade in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''[[Yogi (2009 Tamil film)|Yogi]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/aug-08-04/ameer-27-08-08.html|title=Ammer's inspiration from South Africa film!|work=behindwoods.com|date=2008-08-27|access-date=2009-01-17|archive-date=20 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420054756/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/aug-08-04/ameer-27-08-08.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Plot==
As his mother is dying of disease, David runs away from an abusive father and lives with other homeless children in a series of large concrete construction pipes. A few years later, David, who now goes by Tsotsi, is the leader of a gang that includes his friends Butcher, Aap, and Boston.

After getting involved in a murder committed by Butcher during a mugging, Tsotsi and Boston get into a fight that leaves Boston badly injured. Tsotsi later shoots Pumla, a young woman, while [[carjacking|stealing her car]], only to discover a three-month-old baby in the back seat. Tsotsi hastily strips the car of its valuables and takes the baby back to his shack. Pumla survives the attack (although is wheelchair bound) and works with a police artist to create a [[Facial composite|composite sketch]] of Tsotsi's face, which is then run in the newspapers.

Realising that he cannot properly care for the baby on his own, Tsotsi spots Miriam with a young child strapped to her back, collecting water from a public tap. He follows her to her shack and forces her at gunpoint to feed the kidnapped child. Meanwhile, rich gang leader Fela begins attempting to recruit Aap, Boston, and Butcher to work for him. When Tsotsi takes the child to Miriam a second time, she asks him to leave the boy with her so that she can care for him on Tsotsi's behalf, and Tsotsi agrees.

Tsotsi decides to take care of the injured Boston and has Aap and Butcher take Boston to his shack. Boston, who is called Teacher Boy by his friends, explains that he never took the teachers' examination. Tsotsi tells him that the gang will raise the money so that Boston can take the exam, which means that they will have to commit another robbery.

Tsotsi and Aap go to Pumla's house. When Pumla's husband John returns from the hospital, they follow him into the house and tie him up. Aap is assigned to watch John while Butcher ransacks the bedroom and Tsotsi collects items from the baby's room.

When Aap goes to raid the fridge, John activates the [[Burglar alarm|alarm]]. In a panic, Butcher attempts to kill John with John's pistol that he found. Tsotsi shoots and kills Butcher with his pistol. He and Aap escape in John's car moments before the security company arrives.

Traumatised by Tsotsi's killing of Butcher and fearing that Tsotsi will one day harm him too, Aap decides to leave the gang. When Tsotsi goes back to Miriam's house, she reveals that she knows where he got the baby, and begs him to return the child to his parents.

Tsotsi sets off to return the baby. He reaches John's house and tells John over the [[intercom]] that he will leave the child outside the gate. Meanwhile, an officer stationed at the house alerts Captain Smit, who rushes to the scene, arriving just as Tsotsi is about to walk away.

The police train their guns on Tsotsi, ordering him to return the baby. However, John urges them to lower their weapons so that he can retrieve the baby himself. As Tsotsi holds the baby in his arms, John convinces him to give up the baby. Tsotsi emotionally hands the baby to John, then is told to put up his hands and turns himself in as the film ends.

===Alternate endings===
The film ends with Tsotsi raising his hands and does not disclose what happens thereafter. Two unused endings were shot for the film, which can be seen on the ''Tsotsi'' DVD. In one, the baby cries and Tsotsi is shot in the shoulder while reaching for a milk bottle he brought, and while the officers are shocked at what happened, he escapes through a large field back to the Alexandra slums after avoiding another shot from the chief police officer. In the other, the baby cries and Tsotsi is shot in the chest while reaching for the milk bottle. He collapses and dies while John and Pumla look on in horror.

==Cast==
* [[Presley Chweneyagae]] as David / Tsotsi: The [[anti-heroic]] leader of a gang of small-time thugs. His name, in [[Tsotsitaal]], means "thug" or "criminal".
* [[Mothusi Magano]] as Boston / Teacher boy: A member of Tsotsi's gang and a [[alcoholism|heavy drinker]], Boston was studying to be a teacher before he quit college and moved to the shacks.  He frequently pleads for decency and moderation in the gang's dealings.
* [[Kenneth Nkosi]] as Aap: Tsotsi's childhood friend. Aap is obedient and happy-go-lucky, and relies on Tsotsi heavily, rarely thinking for himself. His name, in Afrikaans and Tsotsitaal, means "monkey".
* [[Zenzo Ngqobe]] as Butcher: The fourth member of Tsotsi's gang, and the most violent, Butcher is a cheat and a loose cannon who does not hesitate to commit murder.
* [[Jerry Mofokeng]] as Morris: A [[beggar]] who worked in the [[gold mine]]s until he was permanently crippled when a beam fell on his legs.
* [[Terry Pheto]] as Miriam: A widow with a young son who lives near Tsotsi in the slum.
* Nambitha Mpumlwana as Pumla Dube: The mother of the kidnapped child.
* [[Rapulana Seiphemo]] as John Dube: The father of the kidnapped child.
* [[Ian Roberts (South African actor)|Ian Roberts]] as Captain Smit: An [[Afrikaner]] police captain.
* Thembi Nyandeni as Soekie:  Owner of the criminals' local bar.
* Israel Makoe as Tsotsi's father
* Honour Zuma as the Baby
* [[Zola 7]]

==Reception==
===Box office===
The film opened in a [[limited release]] in North America on 24 February 2006 in 6 theatres and ultimately was shown in 122 theatres for a lifetime worldwide gross of $11.54 million.<ref name="numbers" />

===Critical response===
The film received positive reviews from critics and has a score of 82%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tsotsi/reviews/|title=Tsotsi (Thug) – Movie Reviews – Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=rottentomatoes.com|access-date=20 June 2016|archive-date=29 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529135642/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tsotsi/reviews/?|url-status=live}}</ref> on [[Rotten Tomatoes]] based on 131 reviews with an average score of 7.41 out of 10. The critical consensus states: "Chweneyagae's powerful performance carries this simple yet searing tale of a shantytown teenager's redemption."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tsotsi/|title=Tsotsi (Thug)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=24 December 2014|archive-date=31 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231213640/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tsotsi/?|url-status=live}}</ref> The film also has a score of 70 out of 100 on [[Metacritic]] based on 35 critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/tsotsi|title=Tsotsi|website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=24 December 2014|archive-date=9 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609140115/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/tsotsi|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] gave the film a four out of four rating and stated:<blockquote>How strange, a movie where a bad man becomes better, instead of the other way around. ''Tsotsi'', a film of deep emotional power, considers a young killer whose cold eyes show no emotion, who kills unthinkingly, and who is transformed by the helplessness of a baby. He didn't mean to kidnap the baby, but now that he has it, it looks at him with trust and need, and he is powerless before eyes more demanding than his own. [...] How the story develops is for you to discover. I was surprised to find that it leads toward hope instead of despair; why does fiction so often assume defeat is our destiny?<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/tsotsi-2006|title=Tsotsi Movie Review & Film Summary (2006) – Roger Ebert|first=Roger|last=Ebert|publisher=rogerebert.com|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-date=16 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216101209/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/tsotsi-2006|url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>''Tsotsi'' won the 2006 [[Academy Award for Best International Feature Film]]<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2006/mar/17/2 |title = Tsotsi |access-date = 27 April 2009 |author = Bradshaw, Peter |author-link = Peter Bradshaw |date = 17 March 2006 |work = [[The Guardian]] |archive-date = 31 October 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191031025643/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2006/mar/17/2 |url-status = live }}</ref> and was nominated for the [[Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.timeout.com/film/news/809/golden-globe-nominations-announced.html |title = Golden Globe nominations announced |access-date = 27 April 2009 |date = 14 December 2005 |work = [[Time Out (company)|Time Out]] |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090428235248/http://www.timeout.com/film/news/809/golden-globe-nominations-announced.html |archive-date = 28 April 2009 |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Gavin Hood was also nominated for the 2005 Non-European Film – Prix Screen International at the European Film Awards for his work on the film.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.indiewire.com/article/11_films_vying_for_best_non-european_film/ |title = 11 Films Vying for Best non-European film |access-date = 27 April 2009 |author = Hernandez, Eugene |date = 15 November 2005 |publisher = [[indieWire]] |archive-date = 4 June 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604191327/http://www.indiewire.com/article/11_films_vying_for_best_non-european_film/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name         = Tsotsi
| type         = Soundtrack
| artist       = Various Artists
| cover        = 
| alt          = 
| released     = 16 February 2006
| recorded     = 
| venue        = 
| studio       = 
| genre        = [[Kwaito]] <br/> [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]<br />[[African popular music|Afro-pop]]
| length       = 1:08:15
| label        = [[Milan Entertainment]]
| producer     = Emmanuel Chamboredon
| prev_title   = 
| prev_year    = 
| next_title   = 
| next_year    = 
}}

{{tracklist
| collapsed       =
| headline        =
| total_length    = 1:08:15
| extra_column    = Performed by
| title1        = Mdlwembe
| writer1       = Kabelo "Kaybee" Ikaneng
| extra1        = [[Zola 7|Zola]]
| length1       = 4:17
| title2        = Bhambatha
| writer2       = Thabiso Tsotetsi
| extra2        = Zola
| length2       = 4:22
| title3        = Zingu 7
| writer3       = Kabelo "Kaybee" Ikaneng
| extra3        = Zola
| length3       = 2:43
| title4        = Matofotofo
| writer4       = Composed by Cleopas Monyepao, Lyrics by T. Ngeobo, S. Msimanga
| extra4        = [[Pitch Black Afro]] featuring [[Bravo (band)|Bravo]]
| length4       = 4:52
| title5        = Sgubhu Sam
| writer5       = Unathi
| extra5        = Unathi
| length5       = 4:10
| title6        = Munt'Omnyama
| writer6       = Lyrics by T. Kgosinkwe, Additional Lyrics by T. Seate, A. Muphemi
| extra6        = Mafikizolo featuring Stoan & Jahseed from [[Bongo Maffin]]
| length6       = 4:31
| title7        = Palesa
| writer7       = Thabiso Tsotetsi
| extra7        = Zola
| length7       = 3:59
| title8        = Seven
| writer8       = Kabelo "Kaybee" Ikaneng
| extra8        = Zola
| length8       = 4:09
| title9        = Ehlala
| writer9       = Lyrics by Bonginkosi "Zola" Dlamini, Composed by Thabiso Tsotetsi, Cleopas Monyepao
| extra9        = Zola
| length9       = 4:37
| title10       = C.R.A.Z.Y
| writer10      = Bongani Fassie, 37 MPH
| extra10       = [[Ishmael]] featuring Bongz
| length10      = 4:10
| title11       = It's Your Life
| writer11      = Bonginkosi "Zola" Dlamini, Thabiso Tsotetsi, Cleopas Monyepao
| extra11       = Zola
| length11      = 4:57
| title12       = Woof Woof
| writer12      = Kabelo "Kaybee" Ikaneng
| extra12       = Zola
| length12      = 3:18
| title13       = Stolen Legs
| writer13      = Mark Kilian, Paul Hepker
| extra13       = [[Mark Kilian]] and [[Paul Hepker]] featuring [[Vusi Mahlasela]]
| length13      = 0:59
| title14       = On The Tracks
| writer14      = Mark Kilian, Paul Hepker
| extra14       = Mark Kilian and Paul Hepker featuring Vusi Mahlasela
| length14      = 1:11
| title15       = Silang Mabele
| writer15      = Vusi Mahlasela
| extra15       = Vusi Mahlasela
| length15      = 5:38
| title16       = Bye Bye Baby
| writer16      = Mark Kilian, Paul Hepker
| extra16       = Mark Kilian and Paul Hepker featuring Vusi Mahlasela
| length16      = 1:52
| title17       = Baby Handover
| writer17      = Mark Kilian, Paul Hepker
| extra17       = Mark Kilian and Paul Hepker featuring Vusi Mahlasela
| length17      = 1:59
| title18       = E Sale Noka
| writer18      = Mark Kilian, Paul Hepker, Vusi Mahlasela
| extra18       = Vusi Mahlasela and the A-Team
| length18      = 1:53
| title19       = Ghetto Scandalous
| writer19      = Bonginkosi "Zola" Dlamini, Amu, Kabelo "Kaybee" Ikaneng
| extra19       = Zola
| length19      = 4:46
}}

== See also ==
* [[List of South African films]]
* [[Cinema of South Africa]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.miramax.com/movie/tsotsi}}
* {{IMDb title|0468565}}
* [https://www.annecarlini.com/ex_interviews.php?id=492 Interview with Tsotsi composers Paul Hepker and Mark Kilian]

{{Gavin Hood}}
{{SAFTA Award for Best Feature Film}}
{{Academy Award Best Foreign Language Film}}
{{TIFF People's Choice Award}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2005 films]]
[[Category:Afrikaans-language films]]
[[Category:Sotho-language films]]
[[Category:Tsotsitaal-language films]]
[[Category:Zulu-language films]]
[[Category:Tswana-language films]]
[[Category:Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award winners]]
[[Category:Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award winners]]
[[Category:2005 crime drama films]]
[[Category:Films about hijackings]]
[[Category:South African crime drama films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gavin Hood]]
[[Category:Films set in South Africa]]
[[Category:2000s hood films]]
[[Category:English-language South African films]]
[[Category:2000s British films]]
[[Category:2005 multilingual films]]
[[Category:South African multilingual films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Paul Hepker]]
[[Category:Films set in slums]]
[[Category:2000s South African films]]