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Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema

Original title: Jerusalema
  • 2008
  • R
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema (2008)
An unflinching look into the crime, corruption and the transgressions of those looking to survive in the most crime-infested district of Johannesburg.
Play trailer1:21
1 Video
21 Photos
ActionCrimeDrama

A young hoodlum's rise from a small-time criminal to a powerful crime entrepreneur during the turbulent years before and after the fall of apartheid.A young hoodlum's rise from a small-time criminal to a powerful crime entrepreneur during the turbulent years before and after the fall of apartheid.A young hoodlum's rise from a small-time criminal to a powerful crime entrepreneur during the turbulent years before and after the fall of apartheid.

  • Director
    • Ralph Ziman
  • Writer
    • Ralph Ziman
  • Stars
    • Rapulana Seiphemo
    • Jeffrey Sekele
    • Ronnie Nyakale
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ralph Ziman
    • Writer
      • Ralph Ziman
    • Stars
      • Rapulana Seiphemo
      • Jeffrey Sekele
      • Ronnie Nyakale
    • 35User reviews
    • 29Critic reviews
    • 53Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 6 wins & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Jerusalema
    Trailer 1:21
    Jerusalema

    Photos20

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    Top cast37

    Edit
    Rapulana Seiphemo
    • Lucky Kunene
    Jeffrey Sekele
    • Nazareth
    • (as Jeffrey Zekele)
    Ronnie Nyakale
    • Zakes Mbolelo
    Shelley Meskin
    • Leah Friedlander
    • (as Shelly Meskin)
    Malusi Skenjana
    • Tony Ngu
    Robert Hobbs
    Robert Hobbs
    • Inspector Blakkie Swart
    Jafta Mamabolo
    • Young Kunene
    Motlatsi Mahloko
    • Young Zakes
    Kenneth Nkosi
    • Lucas Sithole
    Sally Burdett
    • News reader
    Lerato Moloi
    • Loretta Dlamini
    Thandy Matlaila
    • Young Nomsa
    Mzwandile Ngubeni
    • Young Bull
    Gladys Mahlangu
    • Mama Kunene
    Patrick Bakoba
    • Caiphas
    Jacob Foxen
    • Naidoo
    Nathaniel Ramabulana
    • Gun dealer
    Basil Appollis
    • Stolen car dealer
    • Director
      • Ralph Ziman
    • Writer
      • Ralph Ziman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews35

    7.311K
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    Featured reviews

    10janetalexandria

    An Ace In The Hole For the Home Team

    Tsotsi is nothing compared to Jerusalema. Finally a real South African movie that can hold its head up high. Totally authentic, all respect to those involved. A mirror on Jozi and what our lives are really like. I hope other film makers will take note and pull their sox up. It's time to stop being embarrassed about being South African and take pride in our local industry. I strongly recommend all South Africans and go and see it on the big screen as the producers intended. I'm gonna spread the word. And please, do not by pirated DVD's; help enable the local movie industry to grow... I loved this movie. I cannot say it enough times. I am speechless. KUDOS MZANSI.
    9agent60095569

    Jerusalema Hlala Siyaya

    If you thought Tsotsi was brilliant, Jerusalema will blow you away. It's about determination and hope. I've never seen such an apt depiction of township life. Big -up 2 the producers for the angle they took. I loved the music and how they tied Jerusalema with the lead characters' praying mother! A must see, for inspiration if nothing else!

    Guys lets praise SA for producing such an magnificent movie in the international screens, u better start going to the cinemas to watch the awesome job did by our camera men, editors and directors etc. Big up Mzantsi Big up.
    MyGoodWish

    Enjoyed Soweto.....huh?

    I don't think I can adequately put into words how enjoyable this movie was but I'll try because it's really worth your time and I want you to give it a try. This movie was a pleasant surprise. Within a few minutes of watching I realized I'd happened upon a gem. This movie is about Lucky Kunene, a smart young man who is so fun to watch as he figures out how to be a success in spite of being born in a dangerously stupid environment.

    I did not expect to enjoy watching a story that includes South African apartheid, but fortunately this movie entertains us with the characters story and doesn't weigh us down with the tragedy of racism and poverty.The main character Lucky is poor and smart and that's always an interesting mix. He is portrayed by actors who are so talented that we're spoiled as an audience. Jafta Mambolo is young Kunene and Rapulana Seiphemo plays the adult Lucky Kuene and they both are effortless.

    I really liked the way this movie moved quickly and yet spared nothing.I came away from this movie wanting to see more Soweto adventures because I knew there must be one,so I watched it twice.
    9Silver82

    Jerusalema - Brilliant!

    If Jerusalema, the latest film about life in South Africa's underbelly of Hillbrow, can make a film like the award winning Tsotsi look like child's play, you need to ask yourself the question: "Why haven't I seen it yet?" Even more disturbing is that Jerusalema premiered at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year, and has already been raking in the awards.

    Star of the film - Lucky Kunene's motto in life is taken from an Al Capone movie "If you're going to steal ... steal big, and hope like hell you get away with it!" Like a fly on the wall, we get to watch how an innocent youth from Soweto, a victim of circumstance, turns to crime and works his way up to become the hoodlum of Hillbrow.

    The acting is superb and will have you engrossed in the film in no time. The script is watertight, and quite probably the most accurate account of South Africa's criminal underworld that you're ever going to see.

    The scary part about all of this? It's based on true events! (But don't be put off SA, this is a small part of a big country)
    9davetherave-1

    An African Renaissance in Cinema

    Saw Jerusalema last weekend. I found the film to be an engaging, moving, and important reminder that the strangest worlds are right under our noses. Fast paced, gritty and in your face

    I loved Rapulana Simpiwe in the lead, a stunning young talent, Jafta Mamabolo who played the young Kunene is fantastic.

    The script is excellent, reassuringly tight and Carried me effortlessly through the journey.

    This is the story of how a intelligent kid with the same hopes and dreams as anyone else; an education, work hard, get a degree and live his dreams through legitimate means, succumbs, despite himself, to a life of crime because it is his only course available.

    It accurately portrays the universal genesis of crime and loss of innocence and righteousness (the symbol of which of course was the mother with her hand pressed tightly on her bible).

    I don't know what's happening with the film in terms of its international release, but I would sincerely hope that many others will have the memorable experience that we did.

    More like this

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    Related interests

    Bruce Willis in Piège de cristal (1988)
    Action
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in Les Soprano (1999)
    Crime
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    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The budget was so low on the film that old cameras were used as were skateboards in place of dollies.
    • Goofs
      When Kunene is on the beach in Durban at the end of the movie, the tracks made by the film crews vehicles are clearly visible.
    • Soundtracks
      Nkosi Sikelele Afrika
      Written by Enoch Sontonga

      Performed by the Soweto Gospel Choir

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    FAQ20

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 29, 2008 (South Africa)
    • Country of origin
      • South Africa
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Afrikaans
    • Also known as
      • 無法無天2
    • Filming locations
      • South Africa
    • Production company
      • Muti Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,294
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,958
      • Jun 13, 2010
    • Gross worldwide
      • $421,593
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 59m(119 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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