| Tsotsi | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Gavin Hood |
| Screenplay by | Gavin Hood |
| Based on | Tsotsi by Athol Fugard |
| Produced by | Peter Fudakowski |
| Starring | Presley Chweneyagae |
| Cinematography | Lance Gewer |
| Edited by | Megan Gill |
| Music by | Vusi Mahlasela Mark Kilian Paul Hepker |
Production companies | The UK Film & TV Production Company PLC Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa The National Film and Video Foundation of SA Moviworld Tsotsi Films |
| Distributed by | Ster-Kinekor Pictures (South Africa) Momentum Pictures (United Kingdom) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Countries | South Africa United Kingdom |
| Languages | Setswana Zulu Sesotho Afrikaans English |
| Budget | $3 million[1] |
| Box office | $11.5 million[1] |
Tsotsi is a 2005 crime drama film written and directed by Gavin Hood and produced by Peter Fudakowski. It is an adaptation of the novel Tsotsi by Athol Fugard, and is a South African/UK co-production. Set in the Alexandra slum in Johannesburg, South Africa, it stars Presley Chweneyagae as David/Tsotsi (meaning "criminal" - see also 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.[2]
The soundtrack features Kwaito music performed by South African artist Zola and Afro-pop group Mafikizolo, as well as a score by Mark Kilian and Paul Hepker with the voice of South African 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 South African film and first African film not made in French to win the former.[3][4][5] In 2009, it was unofficially remade in Tamil as Yogi.[6]
- ^ a b "Tsotsi (2006) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ^ Tsotsi, archived from the original on 15 August 2020, retrieved 13 August 2020
- ^ "Oscar Win for South African Film". South Africa Travel Blog. 6 March 2006. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
- ^ "Tsotsi wins Academy Award | South African History Online". www.sahistory.org.za. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
- ^ "HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media". consent.yahoo.com. Retrieved 13 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Ammer's inspiration from South Africa film!". behindwoods.com. 27 August 2008. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2009.