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  • Essay / In-depth analysis of the film Tsotsi and the themes discussed

    To have a successful film, there must be at least one lovable character that the audience can love and relate to, but in the film Tsotsi, it is more complicated. Directed by Gavin Hood, the film features many different characters with different personalities, some lovable and some not so lovable. Through a wide range of visual and verbal techniques, Hood develops these characters. When the audience first learns about Tsotsi in the exposition about the moment he brings baby David back to his real parents in the denouement, Tsotsi goes from an unlikeable, crime-filled character at the beginning to a sympathetic and renewed character. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In Tsotsi's exposition, Hood uses many different techniques to help develop Tsotsi's character. The public learns that Tsotsi lives in a township in Soweto, marginalized by society. He is uneducated and relies on his gang members to kill and rob the rich of Johannesburg. This evolution was manifested through the use of cinematic techniques and dialogue. For example, a wide, wide angle shot was used after a close-up of Tsotsi pulling his finger to show the setting of Soweto, a township in South Africa. The photo shows the full extent of Soweto as the township stretches into the distance and large power lines pass through the township but do not connect. This wide shot was important because it set the scene for the audience, showing the full extent of Soweto and the large number of people living like Tsotsi, without electricity and marginalized by society. At the same time we hear the loud Kwaito music as well as the screams and loud noises of the Soweto people. The loud noises of people show that the township is very noisy and busy with people going about their daily lives. Through these techniques, the public is being made aware of the situation in which many people live in South Africa's townships. The townships do not have access to the same resources that many people take for granted, such as family, electricity, education and, therefore, employment or social benefits. The residents of these townships must survive through their own knowledge of theft and motivation to survive. Tsotsi was raised to become a killer and a thief in order to survive. In the director's note, "In Tsotsi's eyes, we should, ultimately, see ourselves." What this means is that Hood wants to stand up and get closer to someone we normally wouldn't have anything to do with. Also, at first, Tsosti may not seem very friendly or personable. By being up close and knowing the story of Tsotsi's past, we can somehow understand why Tsotsi acts the way he does and thus becomes a more friendly and lovable person in our eyes, even though he is still makes bad decisions.Keep in mind: This is just a sample.Get a custom paper from our expert writers now.Get a custom essayIt is therefore clear that Gavin Hood's use of the range of Production techniques were primarily used to develop Tsotsi as a character on the fringes of society we fear. The use of dialogue, cinematography, and stagecraft helps portray him as a character who has difficulty deciding what is right and what is wrong. Without these techniques, the public would not be as aware of the problems faced by many young men in these types of townships throughout South Africa and the.