244) Tsotsi (2005)
Six days in the violent life of a young Johannesburg gang leader.
7/10 – First impressions of the film were not great – opening scenes appeared to have a very low-budget appearance, it initially threw me off actually wanting to continue to watch it. Due to the accolades it had received, I persisted and was not disappointed. If you overlook the arguably shabby appearance of this film and focus on the individual performances, specifically by the lead Presley Chweneyagae, you will find yourself immersed in these surreal gangland slums fully drawn into the lead characters plight. The plot is a little too predictable, but it ticks all the right boxes. It’s a far cry from the calibre of City of God but worthy of a viewing nonetheless.
I can’t comment on whether it was worthy of winning the awards as I haven’t seen the other submissions, but when compared to the winners from different years (The Lives of Others, A Separation, Secret in their Eyes etc) I struggle to see it in the same league. It’s good, but not great.
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