Lucky Kunene knows exactly what he wants in life: a 7 series BMW. Unfortunately for Lucky, he is a poor black kid from Soweto who can’t get a scholarship. This doesn’t leave many options, until he is taken under the wing of a local gang boss and former guerrilla who sees potential in Lucky.
And potential is something Lucky has buck loads of, and he thrives in the car-jacking business. Raised by a God fearing mother who would rather he read the Bible than the how to be better at business books he’s currently feasting on, Lucky decided the life of crime is not for him, especially after witnessing just how far the former guerrilla is prepared to go to get money.
Settling down to a minimum wage job at a petrol station, is former crime boss calls on him for one final job, which Lucky begrudgingly decided to do – things predictably go South and Lucky decided to head to Johannesburg to get lost in the city and make an honest living for himself.
Ten years later, Lucky is grown up and driving a Taxi – his dreams have never materialised, but he’s earning an honest living. That is until one day he gets car-jacked – talk about karma – but faced with no income, he falls back on his street smart criminal ways.
However, it seems all the business books he’s been reading are about to pay off as he figures out a way to take control of all the high-rise slum buildings and start collecting the rent for himself. Soon Lucky is one of the biggest criminals in Johannesburg, but has the love and adoration of all his tenants who he ‘rescued’ Robin Hood style from the oppression of white landlords.
Jerusalema is a gritty, action packed tale of religion and crime in the new South Africa. Its got plenty of bang and entertainment value, including enough humour to keep Jerusalema from getting too dark, though it never flinches from showing the ugly side of life.
Comparisons to Tsotsi are inevitable, but Jerusalema stands head and shoulders above, with a more engaging script, compelling characters and what looks like a much bigger production budget.
Hollywood would do well to keep their eyes on writer and director Ralph Ziman. Reviewed by: Jonathan Read Rating: [R16] Contains violence, offensive language and drug use. Released on: August 13th, 2009 Length (Minutes): 120 Director: Ralph Ziman Languages: English Studio: Madman [ad#filmguide-1]
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