Tsotsi Movie Review

Recently I saw a movie called Tsotsi. This movie really influenced me on a spiritual and emotional level. It is about a man who lives in a township in South Africa.

We get to know this man, self named Tsotsi, through his actions while we see flashbacks that explain them. He is extremely poor and robs for a living. If you watch this movie with the intent of figuring out why he is the way he is and does the things he does, you will certainly find the answer. The answer I thought was most obvious was how trauma from his past influenced his life.

How his dad was abusive, and how he had to escape from his own parents because the bad situation mirrors why he is abusive and escapes from his emotions. He escapes from his emotions by being coldblooded, cruel and by living like a lone wolf. If you met Tsotsi you wouldn’t have empathy for him, but when you get to know someone you figure out why they act like they do you will certainly find this empathy.

How he survived through what seems like hell on earth, really touched me. Through this, I found hope in my day and realised what I think of as a bad day would be a great day for others. I have endless resources, a loving family and just an overall functioning support system.

This movie also made me more aware of the unbearable conditions that still live on in South Africa, even after the ending of Apartheid. I want to make a change in this world, help people find and use their resources while helping people in bad situations find the loving God I have found.

Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.