Culture is the way a certain group of people decides to live their lives. It has developed since the beginning of time and includes many things such as: religion; ceremonies; moral standards; heritage and languages, to name a few. People grow up in different cultures. The reason we all see things differently is because each of us grew up differently; they taught different things and beliefs and had different environmental factors that influenced us. Making films about a certain culture or different cultures, with their problems and solutions, is great for raising awareness of anyone in society who may be ignorant in understanding another culture. People also value things they can relate to and therefore appreciate films that incorporate aspects of their culture not only to educate and entertain, but to recognize the culture; its history and what it represents. This essay aims to analyze how the theme of culture reinforces the main theme of the film Tsotsi (2005) by examining the cultural characteristics in the film's narrative; character and their behavior; film medium and scenographic elements. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayA quote from Sir Thomas More's Utopia (2012) reads: "For if you suffer your people to be ill-educated and their good manners corrupted from childhood, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education, what else should we conclude from this, other than that first we make thieves and then we punish them." This is a quote that rings true for many governments in power in many countries, over time. The film Tsotsi (2005) can be considered a crime drama, however, I believe it is more of a social drama dealing with crime, being the result of social issues (such as a lack of proper education; oppression and abuse) due to politics. Tim Dirks tells us that a drama film usually deals with important topics that the director wants the audience to be aware of. The plot is quite deep and tends to be more true to life, Dirks says. The film deals with the main theme of survival, which connects to all the other themes present in the film, such as power and redemption. The name itself is a South African slang word that refers to someone who is a gangster or pimp. The film focuses on the main character, Tsotsi, and the difficulties that life presented to him, which led him to resort to crime. In a newspaper article written by Lindiwe Dovey (2007), Tsotsi, along with many other South African films released after 1994, are labeled as post-apartheid films. This means that the films produced are directly or indirectly influenced, culturally, by the history of the country, argues Dovey (2007). In his thesis studies on apartheid; Shawndee Marie Jenkins (2013), we are reminded that colonization is a part of history that has shaped the world we know today. Several countries have been conquered by stronger nations who imposed new cultures; beliefs and languages ​​about people. “Strength in numbers” is a phrase that is very true since one of the main reasons why colonization occurs, is for a country that has power, to maintain that power and increase it. This is achieved by acquiring more land and people to support you, either voluntarily or by force. An example of this regarding cinema, according to Roy Armes (2006) was the presence of France in Africa. Once France had conquered several African countries and cinematography was introduced, the new rulers ensured that films were only produced by the French so that mostproceeds still went to the French and not to African directors, writes Armes (2006). . Armes (2006) then goes on to reveal that several French and other European financiers were willing to provide financing to African countries to make films as long as the films were limited to what the financiers allowed them to create, i.e. films that represented the Europe in a positive way. Armes (2006) explains that no film would be allowed to freely express social issues. They could not denounce the way the colonizers had insinuated themselves into another nation and culture as this might create a rebellion or outrage. The films also had to be made in all European languages; completely neglecting the languages ​​of the motherland and the people who created it, says Armes (2006). This destroyed an entire culture but, through it, a form of cultural hybridization between French and African culture was formed, creating a completely new and beautiful one to enjoy, but never forgetting how it was formed and is still being evolving. Jenkins (2013 ) states that South Africa was one of those countries that was conquered by Western rule and descended into the nightmarish regime known as apartheid, where oppression and inequality reigned between different racial groups. In order for the oppressors, who were actually a minority in the community, to maintain control, propaganda was used to indoctrinate them into believing that the apartheid system was not only right, but good, states Jenkins (2013). Lindiwe Dovey (2007) reveals the fact that Hollywood also contributed to the creation of films that showed the apartheid government in a good light, but eventually began making films that exposed the crimes of apartheid when it was realized that they received more views and more visibility. money. Also in the work The Theater and Its Double (2010), Antonin Artaud sees culture as a modern way for people to profit from it and finds it disheartening that society has lost the true meaning and value of different cultures to make them its own their own purposes. own progress for material gains. During the opening scene of the film, the shot of the township not only serves to give the viewer an idea of ​​where the story takes place, but the high angles highlight the vulnerability and inferior position of the people. live there, as well as the volume of poverty that exists in this part of the world. This is a direct representation of how the oppressed descendants of apartheid still suffer; they hold no power in the country and whose voices remain unheard. The film is set in a poor and degraded town, enhanced by the brown and mustard colors which automatically convey the idea of ​​'rural' to the viewer. This is another reflection of the effects of apartheid and numerous acts and laws passed at the time. According to Margaret Roberts (1994) the Group Areas Act is one such law that was passed and an area known as District Six, being a non-white majority area during apartheid, saw the destruction of many homes when l The area has been declared "white". area'. Non-white residents were moved to the outskirts of the city which became townships. This setting is contrasted with that of the other two characters in the film, the parents of the stolen child. They live in a wealthy, westernized area. This is not to say that rich people do not commit crimes and poor people do, but rather to highlight the fact that if a government does not help all its people; the desperate do what is necessary to survive. The child's mother, who remains paralyzed after Tsotsi shot her, may be symbolic. This could represent that there is a huge gap between rich and poor and that there is notIt is enough to live life accepting it for what it is, but people must come together and come up with a plan to help the impoverished out of their situation. Without this kind of progress, we are crippling our own future. Jordache Ellapen (2007) believes that the reason why the black population was exiled to the townships during apartheid was to inhibit their progress in life. This was not possible since mixing of races was inevitable. People who have not been part of the townships will never see it as anything but a place where the black population was also confined and where no progress has been made since apartheid, however, Ellapen (2007) argues that through the mix of people who went to urban areas to work and the rural population; a new cultural hybridity has been formed. Ellapen references a scene in the film where birds are eating in the dirt right next to a very modern car, a direct reference to the results of cultural hybridization. Ellapen (2007) states that even years after the end of apartheid, the effects still remain. Conditions in the townships have not improved, with rudimentary housing; poverty; hunger; lack of adequate education and crime still play a large enough role to convince people that these aspects are what constitutes a township, even if it is a stereotype. A film like Tsotsi (2006) shows the audience that, even if the struggle is over, it will take a long time, if ever, for full equality to exist for all. The theme of survival is evident throughout the film. (2013) states that Tsotsi, whose real name is David, has been trying to survive since childhood when he lost his mother and rejected his drunkard father after seeing his father abuse their dog. Jenkins (2013) brilliantly compares abused dogs to apartheid youth stating that they are equally helpless and innocent but are still inflicted pain and must adapt to the situation or die. Tsotsi had to grow up committing crimes on a daily basis to get food or money to continue living. Members of society itself must try to survive the crime that gangsters like Tsotsi commit every day. In one of Tsotsi's hijackings, he steals a car with a child inside. Now, not only does Tsotsi have to fend for himself, but in a moment of sympathy, he decides to take care of the child and help him survive. The theme of redemption is also witnessed in the narrative, however, it is rather contradictory or ironic says Dovey (2007). Dovey (2007) points out that during apartheid, the religion of Christianity was imposed on the natives. One of the teachings of this religion is to find redemption and the narrative focuses on Tsotsi doing just that, but for his crimes he conveniently forgets to address the fact that the apartheid government and the injustices it committed needed to redeem themselves and recognize that perhaps this is indeed the case. the underlying cause of many crimes committed. Antonin Artaud (2010) talks about culture as a pure thing that becomes corrupted over time and needs a devastating event to start over and revisit what culture really represents. Tsotsi's character shows development as we see Tsotsi go from being a cold-hearted criminal who would commit murder to one who suddenly feels remorse for his actions. Even if he harasses another mother to breastfeed the baby, he only does so with good intentions for the baby. Tsotsi sees a lot of himself in the child and begins to think about where he comes from, who he really is and his identity. When confronting old Morris in the wheelchair, Tsotsi is faced with the fact that he has a lot of power and could take Morris' money and life in an instant, butHowever, he realizes that he also has the power to spare his life, after remembering his father's abuse of his dog. Another example is when Tsotsi shows remorse for violently attacking his friend, Boston, and reminds him that he has always been his friend and wants to help him: Tsotsi's version of an apology. Tsotsi also kills his partner, Butcher, to save the life of the child's father, John, as he knew that killing John was the wrong thing to do. In a final act of redemption, Tsotsi decides to return the child to his parents; surrender to the law in the process. If the low angle shot mentioned here by Dovey (2007) does not directly show the redemption of Tsoti's character and his remorse, then there is a visual excuse in the tears streaming down his face.which it certainly does. In one case, the audience is presented with a flashback to reveal who Tsotsi really was before he became a criminal. He was an innocent child. After life experiences pushed him down the wrong path, he became the terror he is in the film and only after the shocking event where he realizes that he stole something as pure as a child and could have killed his mother, Tsotsi he begins to revisit his identity and begins to change for the better as suggested by Artaud (2010). One aspect of this film that helps portray this transformation is the medium of sound. The film cleverly makes use of rich music from a part of South African culture which further enhances the themes. According to Michael Hatton (n.d.), at the beginning of the film, while Tsotsi is the ruthless gangster he appears to be; the use of rough and gruff Kwaito music is used to reveal what kind of character Tsotsi truly is. The audience will understand that he is someone not to mess with. This contrasts with the end of the film, when Tsotsi feels remorse for what he has done and returns the child. The music played is almost operatic or orchestral and evokes emotions. This represents how Tsotsi feels; how he is changing and perhaps foreshadows who he will become if he gets a second chance. Tsotsi's transformation, however, shows us that even though he was a product of his childhood life experiences, he still had a choice. A person, regardless of circumstances, can still choose to do the right thing because there is good and evil within them. An example of this is the aesthetic value and meaning of the hanging ornaments he makes. She shows that there is simple honor in her poverty and that she takes pride in turning things, that some might see as trash, into something beautiful. He even sells his art to make money instead of resorting to theft. Tsotsi sees the colored glass hanging as mere broken pieces of glass, but Miriam tells him that the colors reflect on him and it is beautiful. The audience understands that this means that there are many different sides to a person that you may not see at first. He might have seen Tsotsi as a criminal and bully, but he could also see that he has a softer and more caring nature. This is a reminder not to judge a book by its cover and not to immediately make a negative judgment on another before understanding who they are in it and what has influenced their life. Remember: this is just an example. Request a personalized paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The use of film can be seen as an effective and entertaining way to enlighten people about the different cultures that exist and the problems that some cultures face and have faced throughout history. The word “difference” has always carried with it a negative connotation. Once society is able to see difference for what it is and not as something good or bad, it will subsequently allow for greater understanding; acceptance; humanity is born..