Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Tsotsi
2005
***½
Director: Gavin Hood
Cast: Presley Chweneyagae, Mothusi Magano, Kenneth Nkosi, Zenzo Ngqobe, Jerry Mofokeng, Terry Pheto, Nambitha Mpumlwana, Rapulana Seiphemo

Tsotsi is the leader of a ruthless youth gang who go around mugging people. One day on his own he wounds a woman and steals her car, only to discover that her baby is on the backseat. The new circumstances force Tsotsi to look back on his own unhappy childhood and reexamine his current life in the shantytown. This South African drama, which is based on Athol Fugard's novel, celebrates humanity. The story is believable and touching, if slightly didactic and sanctimonious. Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film.