Jerusalema
Encyclopedia
Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema, originally titled Jerusalema, is a 2008 South African crime film written and directed by Ralph Ziman. The film was submitted to the Academy Awards
to qualify as a nominee for Best Foreign Language Film
, but it was not selected.
Producer Tendeka Matatu said the characters were based on sketches from their research for the film. The producer said of the roles' background, "During the research of the script we came across many MK
vets who are living on the very edge of poverty and who, after fighting for a better life for all, now feel betrayed."
Production of Jerusalema was difficult because the filmmakers struggled to find a budget when South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation would not invest in their project. The filmmakers found enough financing to make the film, and Ziman reflected that the budget was smaller than music videos he had directed. Ziman said of the experience, "We used skateboards as dollies on the set and old-technology cameras to film. We cut down on the crew but I don't think anyone who sees the film will realise that."
on 11 February 2008. The film was commercially released in South Africa on 29 August 2008, and the film was well-received by critics and audiences. Jerusalema grossed US$400,000 at 14 theaters in the course of a month. The South African film was submitted to the Academy Awards for consideration to qualify as a nominee for Best Foreign Language Film. The film was expected to succeed Tsotsi
as the next South African contender for the award, but Ziman's film was not selected.
Robert McKay of South Africa's The Times
wrote of Jerusalema, "Having shirked off the burden of the heavy, heavy lessons of apartheid in favour of drug deals, shoot-outs and armed robberies, Jerusalema is as quick and devastating as a smash and grab." He said of the direction, "Ziman's extensive experience as a music video director ... makes Jerusalema crackle with energy."
The Umkhonto we Sizwe
Military Veterans Association criticized the film for its portrayal of the military veterans. Its national chairperson, Kebby Maphatsoe, said, "The insult is painful as it does not afford the people of South Africa and our children the opportunity to learn the truth about their history." The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa
criticized the film for its title, based on the holy city of Jerusalem, where the film portrayed a criminal underworld. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
also criticized how the Biblical name Nazareth
was used for a gangster's name.
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
to qualify as a nominee for Best Foreign Language Film
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
The Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is one of the Academy Awards of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars, handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
, but it was not selected.
Production
Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema is based on the story of Lucky Kunene, an underworld figure who in the 1990s took over real estate in the Hillbrow neighborhood of Johannesburg, South Africa. Writer-director Ralph Ziman learned about how a gang stole a building in Hillbrow through coercion and began researching the phenomenon, interviewing reporters, police officers, social workers, and lawyers and discovering that the phenomenon was commonplace. Ziman wrote the script for Jerusalema based on his research. He said of the film and its title, "I wanted Jerusalema to take a harsh but realistic look at Johannesburg, but I also wanted to reflect the hopes and aspirations of its citizens. When you look at Hillbrow from a distance, it does look like that shining city on a hill, the New Jerusalem that will be our salvation, but when you get onto its streets, you find another story." The director also used an African hymn, "Jerusalema", throughout the film, saying of the intent, "[It] might seem pretty cynical but it also underlines a continuing sense of hope." Ziman also sought to connect the crime wave to the political changes taking place in South Africa.Producer Tendeka Matatu said the characters were based on sketches from their research for the film. The producer said of the roles' background, "During the research of the script we came across many MK
Umkhonto we Sizwe
Umkhonto we Sizwe , translated "Spear of the Nation," was the armed wing of the African National Congress which fought against the South African apartheid government. MK launched its first guerrilla attacks against government installations on 16 December 1961...
vets who are living on the very edge of poverty and who, after fighting for a better life for all, now feel betrayed."
Production of Jerusalema was difficult because the filmmakers struggled to find a budget when South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation would not invest in their project. The filmmakers found enough financing to make the film, and Ziman reflected that the budget was smaller than music videos he had directed. Ziman said of the experience, "We used skateboards as dollies on the set and old-technology cameras to film. We cut down on the crew but I don't think anyone who sees the film will realise that."
Cast
- Rapulana Seiphemo ... Lucky Kunene
- Jeffrey Zekele .... Mbolelo Nazareth
- Robert Hobbs ... Detective Blakkie Swart
Release
Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalemas filmmakers initially sought to distribute the film in theaters through the South African cinema chain Ster-Kinekor, but because the filmmakers sought to hold onto rights for release on DVD and TV, the chain chose not to back them. Instead, the filmmakers found backing from Metro FM and the Gauteng Film Commission, which helped them with publicity, including a premiere in Berlin. Jerusalema premiered at the Berlin International Film FestivalBerlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
on 11 February 2008. The film was commercially released in South Africa on 29 August 2008, and the film was well-received by critics and audiences. Jerusalema grossed US$400,000 at 14 theaters in the course of a month. The South African film was submitted to the Academy Awards for consideration to qualify as a nominee for Best Foreign Language Film. The film was expected to succeed Tsotsi
Tsotsi
Tsotsi is a 2005 film written and directed by Gavin Hood. The film is an adaptation of the novel Tsotsi, by Athol Fugard. The soundtrack features Kwaito music performed by popular South African artist Zola as well as a score by Mark Kilian and Paul Hepker featuring the voice of South African...
as the next South African contender for the award, but Ziman's film was not selected.
Robert McKay of South Africa's The Times
The Times (South Africa)
The Times is a popular South African daily newspaper and an offshoot of The Sunday Times, to whose subscribers it is delivered gratis; non-subscribers pay R3.50 per edition....
wrote of Jerusalema, "Having shirked off the burden of the heavy, heavy lessons of apartheid in favour of drug deals, shoot-outs and armed robberies, Jerusalema is as quick and devastating as a smash and grab." He said of the direction, "Ziman's extensive experience as a music video director ... makes Jerusalema crackle with energy."
The Umkhonto we Sizwe
Umkhonto we Sizwe
Umkhonto we Sizwe , translated "Spear of the Nation," was the armed wing of the African National Congress which fought against the South African apartheid government. MK launched its first guerrilla attacks against government installations on 16 December 1961...
Military Veterans Association criticized the film for its portrayal of the military veterans. Its national chairperson, Kebby Maphatsoe, said, "The insult is painful as it does not afford the people of South Africa and our children the opportunity to learn the truth about their history." The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa
United Congregational Church of Southern Africa
The United Congregational Church in Southern Africa began with the work of the London Missionary Society, who sent missionaries to the Cape colony in 1799. Congregationalist missionaries from the American Board of Foreign Missions began work in KwaZulu-Natal in 1830, and several congregations of...
criticized the film for its title, based on the holy city of Jerusalem, where the film portrayed a criminal underworld. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa is a Lutheran church in South Africa. The Church has 580,000 baptized members. in seven Dioceses in South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland. It became a member of the Lutheran World Federation in 1976 after it was formed out of four previous Synods in...
also criticized how the Biblical name Nazareth
Nazareth
Nazareth is the largest city in the North District of Israel. Known as "the Arab capital of Israel," the population is made up predominantly of Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel...
was used for a gangster's name.
See also
- List of South African submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film