Das Fenster zum Tod

Something about suspense movies always catches my eye, and "Number 37" was nothing short of intense. South-African director Nosipho Dumisa knew how to really capture my attention in this fast-paced action thriller about a handicapped man, who, in trying to get money to pay off a debt to a loan shark, witnesses the murder of a cop and decides to blackmail the criminals. I won't give away too much, but the story moves quickly and keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat, even until the very last minute. One thing that truly stuck out to me was the phenomenal acting put forth by the two leading characters. Irshaad Ally, who plays the handicapped protagonist Randal, gives an emotional whirlwind of a performance that gives the audience full access to the mind of the character. Monique Rockman, who plays his girlfriend Pam, is able push past the stereotypical character of the loyal girlfriend of a criminal by presenting a strong and bold, yet loving presence on the screen. Each character works together to perfectly create a glimpse of humanity in this wild world of crime and pride. I highly suggest you check this one out!

Saw this at Sydney Film Festival 2018, hosted by Nosipho. Fantastic interpretation of original concept. The subtitles proved useful for conveying the original lamguage wit. Dialogue and scenes well integrated into modern South Africa, but with a global appeal. I though Randall did a fantastic acting job, and the other sub characters had meaning. I may be biased by previously living in the Cape, but even my global friends understood the messages and screen play. My only critique was that the police woman's capitulation to corruption could have been further played out, but this is minor and does not distract from the main plot.

Nommer 37 is a good South African thriller and a strong film from the Cape Flats with nail biting anxiety and suspense. A man caught in debt, drug and gangster related crime falls deeper into trouble when a constraining injury results in him relying on the care of his girlfriend. The film shows relevant issues that people from the Cape Flats must deal with daily as well as a tumultuous love story on the Flats.

The film has great acting from the two leads, played by Irshaad Ally and Monique Rockman. The performance from the whole cast also gives a strong picture of life on the Cape Flats. For Afrikaans viewers the dialogue is something special as the specific Cape dialect is used very well and effectively throughout the film. The directing was done well and was some of the better and original work from the last decade in South Africa, especially in the Afrikaans film genre.

This film does contain story elements which was clearly influenced by Alfred Hitchcock's film Rear Window (1954). The fifties Hitchcock film is however probably only known by a few South Africans which would make this film for most viewers a new and refreshing story with strong South African characterization.

Recommend this film to every South African who wants to see a good thriller from their own country and to any person who wants a better understanding of the stresses that people who live in the Cape Flats endure.

The story is a stark crime story that plays on suspenseful thrusts of drama and intense characters. The cast give varied but strong performances. At times scenes feel forced against conflicting backdrops but inevitably that slight aspect seems as intentional as Hitchcock's "Rear Window". Dumisa shows a brilliance in this ability to mirror obvious influence of western filmmakers while never coming off as mimicry.

"Number 37" performs as a dark, off-quilter slow burner where action is concerned. There are moments when the suspense builds into actual thrills. However a lot of the violence and bloodshed acts more as aesthetic instead of pressure points in the film. Still enough thriller elements exist to really tease a Tarantino quality. Overall "Number 37" is a strong, contemporary crime thriller worth the watch.

The first half fades slightly, but in the second half the film gains more of its tempo and tension. Toward the end we are rewarded with a cool end ... you can watch the movie.