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Tsotsi

Play trailer Poster for Tsotsi R,  2005,  1h 31m,  Crime/ Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 82% 130 Reviews Tomatometer 86% 25,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
82% Tomatometer 130 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
A South African hoodlum named Tsotsi (Presley Chweneyagae) lives by a code of violence, and he and his gang of thugs prowls the streets of Johannesburg day and night, attacking those who fail to give them what they want. After casually shooting a woman and stealing her car, he discovers her baby in the back seat. Instead of harming the mewling infant, he takes it home and cares for it. The child acts as a catalyst for the hardened thug to regain his humanity.
Tsotsi

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Chweneyagae's powerful performance carries this simple yet searing tale of a shantytown teenager's redemption.

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Critics Reviews

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Zadie Smith Daily Telegraph (UK) Jan 16, 2018
The audience gasps in that odd mixture of surprise and recognition that great story-telling affords. Go to Full Review
Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle Apr 1, 2006
2.5/5
What Tsotsi fails to explain is how the mere introduction of a baby can melt the cruel cycle of criminality and disregard for others. Go to Full Review
Liz Moody Empire Magazine Apr 1, 2006
4/5
With lively pacing, superb performances and a candid yet forgiving heart, Hood has created an inverse fairy tale that is never less than absorbing. Go to Full Review
Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 26, 2020
4.0/4.0
It is one of only a handful of films where I have, quite literally, forgotten that it is a foreign film. Go to Full Review
Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Nov 9, 2019
Artfully combining and complimenting with each other the story and technical aspects of the film, the results are an unparalleled synergistic relationship, seamlessly interweaving the film's ever increasing message of hope and redemption. Go to Full Review
Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Nov 7, 2010
3.5/4
It's a redemption song that could be stripped down into a Hallmark-esque distillation of "City of God." Instead, it retains a minor key, with bullets, blood and beatings illustrating a descent into dangerous living while a baby's presence suggests hope. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Albus R Jan 30, 2019 It's the story of a low-life, psychopathic homicidal manic thief and murderer vermin creature who repents when he looks after a baby. See more
Albus R Jul 7, 2017 A young male is leader of a gang in south Africa and steals a car but fonda a baby in the backseat. he tries to care for it as best he can and hopes to do the right thing and return it to its mother. very good acting. dark in places See more
Poe W Feb 6, 2017 A fascinating study of the role poverty and abuse can play on a child's life. Incredible acting from the lead character, as well as everyone else. Tsotsi takes its time, but the end result is both satisfying and thought provoking See more
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Tsotsi

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Gavin Hood

Director

Presley Chweneyagae

Tsotsi

Mothusi Magano

Boston

Israel Makoe

Tsotsi's father

Percy Matsemela

Sgt. Zuma

Jerry Mofokeng

Morris

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Tsotsi

Tsotsi (2005) Tsotsi (2005) Tsotsi (2005) Tsotsi (2005) Tsotsi (2005) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A South African hoodlum named Tsotsi (Presley Chweneyagae) lives by a code of violence, and he and his gang of thugs prowls the streets of Johannesburg day and night, attacking those who fail to give them what they want. After casually shooting a woman and stealing her car, he discovers her baby in the back seat. Instead of harming the mewling infant, he takes it home and cares for it. The child acts as a catalyst for the hardened thug to regain his humanity.
Director
Gavin Hood
Producer
Peter Fudakowski
Screenwriter
Gavin Hood
Production Co
Movie World, UK Film and TV Production Co., National Film and Video Foundation of SA
Rating
R (Strong Violent Content|Language)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
Afrikaans
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Feb 24, 2006
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.9M
Runtime
1h 31m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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