"Tsotsi" Opening Sequence Notes
Images in the opening sequence
-
multiple close-ups on dice- metaphor for game of luck and chance
- dice are also shown when Boston corrects Butcher on his counting- reinforces the fact that some people can have education and still end up in slums
- shows that Boston has had an education and Butcher hasn't
- one of them having an education and the other not is because of chance
- aerial shot looking down on slum to show setting, shows poverty and shows Miriam at the community water pump -> highlights her significance as a character
- low angle camera shot looks up at the characters to show the audience their importance in the narrative
- the train station and the clothes indicate that the film is set in modern day
- the area can be deciphered through the images of the slums
Tsotsi's Personality
- when we first see Tsotsi he is on the other side of the room to the others showing him to be more isolated and distant
- staring out of the window could mean that he is deep in thought
- his shirtlessness = indication of animalness, intimidating and violent nature
- bottles up his emotion -> doesn't want people to see hi weak
- close-ups of his face, focusing on his eyes- he doesn't say much so his eyes are showing his emotion
