Posted by Rachel on: 04.13.2007 /
For our monthly movie group, four of my girlfriends and I watched the South African film Tsotsi. It tells the story of a troubled young man with a painful past struggling to survive in a shanty town outside Johannesburg. His nickname Tsotsi means “thug” or “gangster” and he and his friends lead a life of robbery and violence. Everything changes one night when Tsotsi steals a woman’s car and then discovers an infant boy in the backseat. This chance encounter leads Tsotsi down the path to redemption.
We all agreed that this was an excellent film with a strong emotional impact. Staci described the underlying theme of the movie as “the universal need for family and connection.” And Aubrie noted how many times Tsotsi and his friends used the words “brother” and “together” in reference to their group. Clearly they were trying to create a sense of community in the midst of what Sheena aptly described as “a bleak environment.”
As we reflected on the violent life of Tsotsi and his gang, Amy observed that “violence is a form of control for someone who doesn’t have control over anything else in their life.” Sheena noted that “gangs have risen because families have deteriorated.” Amy pointed out that the setting in an African ghetto “allows us to distance ourselves from the idea of growing up that way and having that hardened shell of inner pain but there are kids like that here too.”
In reference to the transformation that takes place in Tsotsi, Sheena said, “He looked like he was trying to learn how to be good.” Tsotsi’s story is a portrait of how love, compassion and human connection can triumph over pain, violence and isolation.
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Comment by: Staci
1 04/13/07 12:01 PM | Comment Link |I’ve been thinking about the description given that Tsotsi’s encounter led him “down the path to redemption.” We see him redeem his life by valuing and caring for the lives of others. The more he cares for the child the more he is able to take small steps to care for other people - the man in the wheelchair, Boston, etc. He also seeks out role models (albeit inadvertantly at first) who are proficient in caring for others and distances himself from those who are not.
Comment by: Aubrie
2 04/14/07 9:47 PM | Comment Link |This movie really stayed with me and I thought about it for several days after watching it. I saw several reaccuring themes. One was motherhood and how Tsotsi related to the women in the story, they seemed intertwined in his mind. Also the role of fathers and how he wanted to stop a legacy of uncaring, unprotecting, and violent fathers. The film showed to me that Tsotsi really learned to love again by his interaction with the baby.
There are many people all over the world living lives like this. Or some version of it and either keeping the cycle going or stopping it. I know having my children was healing for me with my own experiences with my parents and I have never experienced anything close to what is shown in the film.
It’s a very interestig film and you can see what someones life might be like in Johannesburg, but also identify with it in your life or community.
Comment by: Rachel
3 04/14/07 10:17 PM | Comment Link |I feel the same way, Aubrie. It is so empowering when we realize that we have the ability to create something different. And that is what I saw in Tsotsi as well - the realization that he could choose a better path.
Comment by: Janice
4 04/16/07 11:42 AM | Comment Link |Sounds like a worthwhile movie - I will look for it. I recently rented and watched hmm, Red Dust based on a review here..you all sure know how to pick them. Red Dust was challenging and encouraging.
Comment by: Rachel
5 04/16/07 3:38 PM | Comment Link |Thanks, Janice! We are always looking for more movie ideas, so let us know if you have any recommendations.