Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema - A South African Crime Thriller
If you are looking for a gritty, realistic, and captivating crime movie, you might want to check out Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema. This is a South African movie that tells the story of Lucky Kunene, a young man who rises from a poor township to become a powerful gangster in Johannesburg. Along the way, he faces corruption, violence, betrayal, and love, as he tries to survive in a ruthless world.
In this article, we will give you an overview of the movie, its plot, its cast, its review, and some FAQs. We will also tell you where you can watch it online. So, let's get started.
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Introduction
Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema is a 2008 South African crime film written and directed by Ralph Ziman. It stars Rapulana Seiphemo as Lucky Kunene, Jeffrey Zekele as Nazareth, Ronnie Nyakale as Zakes Mbolelo, Robert Hobbs as Detective Blakkie Swart, Shelley Meskin as Leah Friedlander, and Malusi Skenjana as Tony Ngu.
The movie was inspired by a true story and was shot on location in Soweto and Hillbrow, two of the most notorious areas in Johannesburg. It was submitted to the Academy Awards to qualify as a nominee for Best Foreign Language Film. However, it was not selected. It was also a box office bomb, grossing only $400,000 against the production budget of $2 million.
Despite its poor performance, the movie received critical acclaim and won several awards at international film festivals. It was praised for its realistic depiction of South Africa's crime scene, its social commentary on post-apartheid issues, its engaging characters, its thrilling action sequences, and its catchy soundtrack.
The movie is worth watching for anyone who enjoys crime movies that are based on real events and that explore complex moral dilemmas. It is also a good way to learn more about South Africa's history, culture, and challenges.
Plot summary
The movie begins with Lucky Kunene lying on a bed, covered in blood. Police officers barge into his room and arrest him for murder charges. The movie then cuts to the interrogation room, where Kunene says he will provide his full back-story.
The rest of the movie tells Kunene's life story leading up to his arrest. The story begins with Kunene and his friend Zakes as teenagers living in the Soweto Township. Lucky learns he has not earned a scholarship to continue his education. In need of money, Kunene and Zakes meet a local crime lord, Nazareth, who was formerly a Russian-trained guerrilla.
Nazareth sets up Lucky and Zakes with several small-time robberies. These crimes escalate to large-scale car-jackings, prompting Lucky to give up his educational aspirations. Lucky's final robbery goes horribly wrong, leaving Nazareth imprisoned and much of his crew dead. Lucky and Zakes narrowly escape. They decide to lay low and move to Johannesburg.
At this point, the movie skips ahead ten years. Lucky and his friend now run a taxi business in the Hillbrow district, a crime-ridden and impoverished area. Lucky has a girlfriend, Leah, who is a white Jewish lawyer. She tries to convince him to leave the crime business and start a new life with her. However, Lucky has bigger ambitions. He wants to take over the Hillbrow buildings that are controlled by drug lords and slumlords. He devises a scheme to hijack the buildings by posing as a lawyer and offering the tenants legal protection from eviction. In exchange, the tenants pay him rent and loyalty. Lucky's plan works and he soon becomes the owner of several buildings. He also recruits a loyal gang of followers, including Tony, a former policeman who becomes his right-hand man. Lucky renames his gang as the "Rudeboys" and adopts the motto "Jerusalema", meaning "heaven" in Zulu. Lucky's success attracts the attention of his enemies. He faces opposition from the Nigerian drug lords, the Chinese triads, the corrupt police, and the rival gangs. He also faces pressure from Leah, who wants him to quit his criminal lifestyle. Lucky tries to balance his personal and professional life, but he soon realizes that he has made too many enemies and that his paradise is not as secure as he thought. The movie ends with a climactic shootout between Lucky's gang and the police. Lucky manages to escape, but he is betrayed by Tony, who shoots him in the back. Tony then takes over Lucky's empire and claims to be the new king of Hillbrow. Lucky survives the gunshot wound, but he is arrested for murder charges. The movie then returns to the interrogation room, where Lucky finishes his story. He says that he regrets nothing and that he is proud of what he achieved. He also says that he still loves Leah and hopes that she will wait for him. The movie ends with Lucky being taken away by the police officers. Movie review
Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema is a well-made and well-acted crime movie that offers a realistic and gripping portrayal of South Africa's crime scene. The movie does not shy away from showing the brutality, corruption, poverty, and racism that plague the country. It also explores the moral ambiguity and complexity of the characters, who are neither heroes nor villains, but human beings with flaws and aspirations.
The movie is comparable to other crime movies such as City of God, Scarface, and The Godfather. However, it also has its own unique style and flavor, influenced by South Africa's history, culture, and music. The movie features a catchy soundtrack that includes local hip-hop, kwaito, reggae, and gospel songs.
The movie also has some weaknesses. Some of the scenes are too violent or graphic for some viewers. Some of the subplots are underdeveloped or unresolved. Some of the characters are stereotypical or clichéd. Some of the dialogue is hard to understand due to the heavy accents and slang.
Overall, Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema is a movie that deserves more recognition and appreciation. It is a movie that will keep you entertained, engaged, and enlightened.
Conclusion
Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema is a South African crime thriller that tells the story of Lucky Kunene, a young man who becomes a powerful gangster in Johannesburg. The movie is based on a true story and shows the reality and issues of South Africa in the post-apartheid era.
The movie is worth watching for anyone who enjoys crime movies that are realistic, captivating, and complex. It is also a good way to learn more about South Africa's history, culture, and challenges.
If you are interested in watching Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema, you can find it online on various streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, and iTunes. You can also buy or rent it on DVD or Blu-ray.
We hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful. If you have any questions or comments about Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema or any other topic related to movies, feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you.
FAQs
Is Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema based on a true story?
Yes, Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema is based on a true story. The movie was inspired by the life of Sammy Ntuli, a former car-jacker who became a notorious gangster in Hillbrow in the 1990s. Ntuli was known as "The King of Hillbrow" and controlled several buildings in the area. He was eventually killed by rival gangs in 2003.
Who is the director and writer of Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema?
The director and writer of Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema is Ralph Ziman. He is a South African filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter. He is also known for his other works such as Hearts and Minds, The Zookeeper, Kite, and Vaya.
What is the meaning of the title Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema?
The title Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema has two meanings. The first meaning is a reference to the song "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio, which is featured in the movie's soundtrack. The song is about the struggles and dangers of living a gangster lifestyle. The second meaning is a reference to the motto "Jerusalema", which means "heaven" in Zulu. This is the name that Lucky Kunene gives to his gang and his empire. It reflects his vision of creating a paradise for himself and his people in Hillbrow.
What are some of the awards that Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema won?
Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema won several awards at international film festivals. Some of them are: - Best Film at the Durban International Film Festival - Best Director at the Pan African Film Festival - Best Actor for Rapulana Seiphemo at the Monaco International Film Festival - Best Screenplay at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival - Audience Award at the Seattle International Film Festival
What are some of the other movies that are similar to Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema?
Some of the other movies that are similar to Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema are: - City of God (2002) - A Brazilian movie that follows the lives of two boys who grow up in a violent slum in Rio de Janeiro. - Scarface (1983) - An American movie that tells the story of Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who becomes a powerful drug lord in Miami. - The Godfather (1972) - An American movie that depicts the rise and fall of the Corleone family, a powerful mafia clan in New York. - Tsotsi (2005) - A South African movie that focuses on a young gangster who finds redemption after he kidnaps a baby. - American Gangster (2007) - An American movie that portrays the life of Frank Lucas, a notorious heroin kingpin in Harlem.
How can I contact the makers or actors of Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema?
If you want to contact the makers or actors of Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema, you can try to reach them through their social media accounts or their official websites. Here are some of them: - Ralph Ziman (director and writer) - - Rapulana Seiphemo (Lucky Kunene) - - Jeffrey Zekele (Nazareth) - - Ronnie Nyakale (Zakes Mbolelo) - - Robert Hobbs (Detective Blakkie Swart) - - Shelley Meskin (Leah Friedlander) - - Malusi Skenjana (Tony Ngu) - 44f88ac181
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