The lives of Black South Africans in the township of Soweto are the background to this powerful, absorbing and thoughtful film. It is the first international Black African feature film and it was made under the noses of South African authorities, who thought it was a gangster film. Unlike many political films, “Mapantsula” is a story viewed through the eyes of an anti-hero, a small time black gangster known to his friends as Panic. Panic is a smooth opportunist who takes down anyone, white or black. In Zulu, Sotho and Afrikaans with English subtitles.
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Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
324906
Language
English
Audience classification
MA
Subject categories
Courtroom, Crime, Espionage & Thrillers
Courtroom, Crime, Espionage & Thrillers → Gangster films
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Apartheid
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Blacks - South Africa
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Racism
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)
MOV file ProRes4444; Digital Preservation Master - overscan
MPEG-4 Digital File; ACMI Digital Access Copy - overscan