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Crime drama
Tsotsi (2006): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Tsotsi is a 2006 crime drama directed by Gavin Hood, starring Mothusi Magano, Israel Makoe and Presley Chweneyagae. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $9.9 million worldwide. It won 1 Oscar, including Foreign Language Film, and 2 awards in all. Critics gave it 70 on Metacritic. Stream it on Plex, or rent or buy it on Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- Gavin Hood
- Original language
-
Afrikaans - Studio
- Miramax Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
The story
What Is Tsotsi About?
The premise of Tsotsi without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In the violent and impoverished streets of Johannesburg, Tsotsi is a young, ruthless gang leader who maintains control through fear. His world is unexpectedly altered when he steals a car and discovers a baby in the backseat. The infant's presence triggers a profound change within him, awakening a dormant sense of compassion and responsibility. Tsotsi must then confront his past actions and navigate a complex journey of self-discovery as he grapples with the challenges of caring for the child and the consequences of his former life.
Tsotsi Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- baby
- slum
- criminal
- street life
- shantytown
- redemption
- character name as title
- hood
- human connection
- inequality
- young
- gangster crime
+38 more Show fewer
- vomiting
- teenage boy
- blood splatter
- breasts
- bead curtain
- caught in the rain
- rolling dice
- urban violence
- wine
- wallet
- waitress
- using newspaper as diaper
- underwear
- underpass
- train
- train track
- thunder
- thief
- theft
- tea
- tears
- teacher
- swollen eye
- surrogate family
- subway
- subjective camera
- stabbing
- spitting
- sorrow
- sleeping in a drainage pipe
- shooting
- shivering
- shed
- sewing machine
- sewer
- safe
- safety belt
- sadness
Where to watch
Where to Watch Tsotsi
Stream it on Plex, or rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 2
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Cast & crew
Tsotsi Cast
Mothusi Magano leads the cast, with Israel Makoe and Presley Chweneyagae. Directed by Gavin Hood.
-
Director Gavin Hood
Ratings
Tsotsi Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Tsotsi 70 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 70 Metascore
User score 7.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB
Plot
Tsotsi Plot Summary
What happens in Tsotsi from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As his mother succumbs to illness, David flees from an abusive father, finding temporary refuge among a group of other homeless children living in abandoned concrete construction pipes. Fast forward a few years, David has reinvented himself as Tsotsi, the charismatic leader of a gang that includes his companions Butcher, Aap, and Boston.
Full summary
The whole story of Tsotsi, scene by scene
Box office
Tsotsi Box Office
Tsotsi grossed $9.9 million worldwide. $2.9 million came from the US and Canada and $7 million (71%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$9.9M
- US & Canada
- $2.9M
- International
- $7M
US & Canada 29%
Rest of the world 71%
Awards
Tsotsi Awards & Nominations
Tsotsi won 1 Oscar, including Foreign Language Film, and 2 awards in all.
2 wins4 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Oscars 2006 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Foreign Language Film
-
BAFTA 2006 2 nominations- Nominated Best Film Not in the English Language
- Nominated Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer
-
TIFF 2005 1 win · 1 nomination- Won People's Choice Award – Gavin Hood
Videos
Tsotsi Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Tsotsi.
Quiz
How Well Do You Know Tsotsi?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Tsotsi's real name before he assumes his criminal identity?
Cars
Cars in Tsotsi
12 cars on screen, including the 1996 BMW 320i E36 and the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C 240 W203.
-
1996 BMW 320i E36 Important role -
2001 Mercedes-Benz C 240 W203 Important role -
2002 Ford Bantam Minor role -
1998 Mitsubishi Colt Rodeo Minor role
Details
Tsotsi Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “Mon nom est Tsotsi” and “Tsotsi - Ein Junge aus dem Ghetto”.
- Also known as
-
- Mon nom est Tsotsi
- Tsotsi - Ein Junge aus dem Ghetto
- Mi nombre es Tsotsi
- Infância Roubada
- Il suo nome è Tsotsi
- Gangster
- Thug
- 黑帮暴徒
- Цоци
- צוצי
- ツォツィ
- 갱스터 초치
+2 more Show fewer
- Цоці
- تسوتسي
Seen Tsotsi?
More like this
Movies Like Tsotsi
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Gangster’s Paradise: Jerusalema, Thugocratie and Stander.
From the blog
Articles About Tsotsi
Our article about Tsotsi: “International Cinema: Exploring Films from Around the World”.
FAQ
Tsotsi FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Tsotsi, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Tsotsi?
Tsotsi runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Tsotsi released?
Tsotsi was released on February 24, 2006.
Who directed Tsotsi?
Tsotsi was directed by Gavin Hood.
More films by Gavin Hood Who is in the cast of Tsotsi?
Tsotsi stars Mothusi Magano, Israel Makoe and Presley Chweneyagae.
Where can I watch Tsotsi?
In the US, Tsotsi is streaming on Plex and available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Tsotsi make at the box office?
Tsotsi grossed $9.9 million worldwide ($2.9 million domestic, $7 million international).
How is Tsotsi rated?
Tsotsi has 70 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.
What awards did Tsotsi win?
Tsotsi won 2 awards from 4 nominations, including Foreign Language Film at the Oscars 2006.
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