Tsotsi wins Oscar

Gavin Hood, right, director/co-writer of the South African film "Tsotsi," and cast members Terry Pheto, middle, and Presley Chweneyagae hold their Oscar for Best Foreign Film at the annual Vanity Fair Oscar party at Morton's in West Hollywood, Calif., Sunday, March 5, 2006. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

with Dir Hood at the premier of his movie Tsotsi, at the Magnolia Theater, Dallas

Tsotsi is a well-made coming-of-age tale about a shantytown thug (generic name for Tsotsi) called David. The movie takes a look into the mind of a boy who has grown up alone most of his childhood in the slums of Johannesberg, and so out of necessity has acquired a talent for being violent. He robs people and makes a living. One night he steals a woman's car only to discover later that he has her infant with him. He decides to take it home, and what follows is a heart rending story of self-discovery and remorse. Presley Chweneyagae is remarkable as Tsotsi. The director's vision of Tsotsi in the movie (and that of Atul Fogard's in the novel) comes in part from Hoods previous experience in making small docu-dramas on AIDS and other related issues, as part of his academics (he is a product of UCLA film school). I had the previlege to meet him in person towards the end of the screening session (all thanks to my new pal Joshua), quite intimidating I should say, considering the fact that I am not a film student per se, and in the end it was all very mesmerizing and insightful.