Comments on: Tsotsi: Read the book instead http://blog.meyerbros.org/2006/10/08/tsotsi-read-the-book-instead/ things we think Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:03:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Menou http://blog.meyerbros.org/2006/10/08/tsotsi-read-the-book-instead/#comment-53435 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:30:12 +0000 http://blog.meyerbros.org/2006/10/08/tsotsi-read-the-book-instead/#comment-53435 Absolutely agree with the observations. At the heart of what was and remains a powerful and challenging novel is the concept of redemption. The film bursting with superb imagery, performances and creativity has disowned this concept and replaced it with a fluffy alternative of vague, secular hope. The decision to update the period also impacts on the story's darkness and suffocating sense of despair - moods that carry the characters and plot forward in a way the movie simply cannot match. All in all a beautifully executed film, but with a much reduced heart at its centre. Absolutely agree with the observations. At the heart of what was and remains a powerful and challenging novel is the concept of redemption. The film bursting with superb imagery, performances and creativity has disowned this concept and replaced it with a fluffy alternative of vague, secular hope. The decision to update the period also impacts on the story’s darkness and suffocating sense of despair - moods that carry the characters and plot forward in a way the movie simply cannot match. All in all a beautifully executed film, but with a much reduced heart at its centre.

]]> by: eric http://blog.meyerbros.org/2006/10/08/tsotsi-read-the-book-instead/#comment-33389 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:12:37 +0000 http://blog.meyerbros.org/2006/10/08/tsotsi-read-the-book-instead/#comment-33389 L. Nelson, I don't expect movies to be the book. I'm in theatre. I know the difference between mediums quite well. And I'm a big fan of Fugard and everything he has done. I've not read a script of his I didn't like. Point is, though: I loved the book. I didn't like the movie. I thought it was fluff not because it wasn't like the book, but because I thought it was fluff. I think it could have been a lot better. That's my opinion. I think people should read the book and leave the movie alone. There's no point being offended. Directors who are finally getting their chance to do meaningful work in South Africa should refrain from airbrushing the powerful stories of SA into crime thrillers. L. Nelson,

I don’t expect movies to be the book. I’m in theatre. I know the difference between mediums quite well. And I’m a big fan of Fugard and everything he has done. I’ve not read a script of his I didn’t like.

Point is, though: I loved the book. I didn’t like the movie. I thought it was fluff not because it wasn’t like the book, but because I thought it was fluff. I think it could have been a lot better. That’s my opinion. I think people should read the book and leave the movie alone. There’s no point being offended.

Directors who are finally getting their chance to do meaningful work in South Africa should refrain from airbrushing the powerful stories of SA into crime thrillers.

]]> by: L. Nelson http://blog.meyerbros.org/2006/10/08/tsotsi-read-the-book-instead/#comment-33084 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:57:07 +0000 http://blog.meyerbros.org/2006/10/08/tsotsi-read-the-book-instead/#comment-33084 Did you know that Fugard helped write the script? And one reason the novel is different than the book is because the novel was written BEFORE aparthied and the movie after--how can they not be different? What is the point of going to see a movie and expecting it to be exactly like the book??? You're imagination is involved in a book, in a movie it's all there for you. I thought both were great in different aspects, but you can't just go and say that the movie was terrible or fluff--it was still stuff many movie directors have wanted to do in South Africa for YEARS, and now finally get their chance. Herald it for what it is, a voice from the black South Africans who have been silenced for years. And yes, I realize Fugard was white, but he knew what life was really like there, and he tried to portray another story, one that most people would not have listened to 15 years ago, and the government would have banned. Did you know that Fugard helped write the script? And one reason the novel is different than the book is because the novel was written BEFORE aparthied and the movie after–how can they not be different? What is the point of going to see a movie and expecting it to be exactly like the book??? You’re imagination is involved in a book, in a movie it’s all there for you. I thought both were great in different aspects, but you can’t just go and say that the movie was terrible or fluff–it was still stuff many movie directors have wanted to do in South Africa for YEARS, and now finally get their chance. Herald it for what it is, a voice from the black South Africans who have been silenced for years. And yes, I realize Fugard was white, but he knew what life was really like there, and he tried to portray another story, one that most people would not have listened to 15 years ago, and the government would have banned.

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