I allowed myself to get dragged to watch this film because it's a South African film with an African theme. Tsotsi (Review – 80%) is the word for thug so the story is about this thug nicknamed Tsotsi, a part brilliantly played by Presley Chweneyagae. The first part of the film shows Tsotsi as a gang leader in Africa who does a great job of showing his cruelty in his actions and facial expressions rather than in his words. Tsotsi ruthlessness is first seen in a gang attack on the subway where a rich man is coldly murdered, then later in a bar where Tsotsi fiercely beats one of his own men. In the second third of the film there's a turning point after a gang attack to steal a Mercedes from a rich lady.

Throughout the film, director Gavin Hood, creates some very crude shots which are quite disturbing because of their potential reality in the poverty of Africa. Tsotsi is quite short running at 94 minutes, and it has a fast pace. The film is completely driven by the story and doesn't directly attempt to document Africa specifically, although I think it could have had with some more African specific themes while still keeping the pace of the story. All in all it was a good film that is sure to keep you interested and with your eyes wide open – 4/5.