well, as the subject goes, it made me think over the very simple truth once again, worked as a reminder actually, life can be seen the way you want to see it.
the young ghetto mother made those "show pieces" with broken glass. For her it was color and light while for Tsotsi it was simply broken glass.
Without going to infer other messages that was what stirred me first about the movie.
Just wondering if other found it as remarkable.
I agree with you, I loved that. It really struck me because many years ago I used to roleplay a character on an internet game who was an artist, and he made sculptures by gluing together pieces of broken glass he found around the city. Some people liked it and some people just saw broken glass, or a missed opportunity to recycle. :) Guess it really said stuff about the other people playing the game, lol...
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- Never buy a tie at a South African train station.
- Never use South African public transport.
- Rottweiler Dogs are way overrated as fierce watchdogs.
- Always leave some food in the fridge for the burglars.
- as to burglary in South Africa: lightning sometimes does strike twice .
For me there was no singular overriding message to take away from Tsosti. I dont think it was a message movie but a character study.
There is NO Gene for the Human Spirit. Gattaca
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I heard it was a great film. So I watched it and I saw it was about some thug. When he followed the cripple and told him to walk I thought if he shoots him I'm turning off this movie.
That was the movie for me, I'm sure glad I finished it. And the DVD extras were cool too.
Teh scene that had me almost in tears was the "why do you continue to live like a dog" or something liek that and Morris tells him about how he can still feel the heat of the sun on the pavement with his hands... it was such a beautiful moment.
Proud member of AACAR (Americans Against Crappy American Remakes)
Stay the f-ck away from South Africa
shareWhat I took from Tsotsi was not a message but an impression.Tsotsi gave a touching insight into the struggles of the slums personified by the protagonist. Not only the struggles but the situations which have lead to people living in such an area. Tsotsi having to run away from home and raise himself in terrible conditions highlighted the social situation within South Africa. His childhood resulted in a lack of education making him less sophisticated than those who can afford to live in a wealthy enviroment.
Its not only Tsotsi's story which shows this social situation but also the wheelchair bound man now begging for money when he once had a job. It adds emphasis to Tsotsi's description of the plight these people face.
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".
I took from it that we all have the potential to help one another if given the opportunity and an example to follow.
Tsotsi wasn't naturally an evil man like some of his cohorts. His early recognition that his mother and his dog were mistreated stuck with him. Even though he was surrounded by bad influences and forced to do what was necessary to survive, there was a seed of something more inside. Unlike Butcher and the others, he had the will power and the self-knowledge to know that he could be something better. Unfortunately, it took the carjacking and shooting of that mother (and inadvertant kidnapping of her baby) to set in motion the events of his transformation. He wanted to be a good person and wanted to do the right thing but didn't know how. During the second robbery where the baby's father was threatened he was forced to choose; continue down the path of evil with Butcher and the others or admit that he'd been living wrong and could be something greater. Even at the end when surrounded by police, he is forced to make a decision; run and try to avoid the consequences of his crimes or stand up and take responsibility. After all, the first step in solving a problem is acknowledging it. That baby represented the good in him and he didn't want to give it up; but the lessons he learned from the experience no doubt led him to be a better man.
I've often wondered what would become of him? Several years in jail and then turn his life around? Maybe even become part of the family that he had victimized? There is a message of redemption and forgiveness; not just avoid South Africa like others are saying.