Director: Ralph Ziman
Writer: Ralph Ziman
Producer: Tendeka Matatu & Ralph Ziman
Starring: Jafta Mamabolo, Rapulana Seiphemo, Motlatsi Mahloko & Ronnie Nyakale
Year: 2008

(3.5/5)

There is an interesting dichotomy happening in Gangster’s Paradise: Jerusalema. On one level the movie feels like you have seen it all before yet it also feels like it is providing something a bit different. I am not sure that I am going to be able to explain it well enough to convince everyone that it is worth their time in seeing it. The film which is based off of a true story tells the rise of a Robin Hood like character, Lucky Kunene (Jafta Mamabolo (young) and Rapulana Seiphemo (adult)). Lucky grows up amongst the poor in South Africa with his family only able to afford bread. When Lucky is accepted into university but turned down for scholarship he falls in with a criminal crowd and starts to steal cars. Eventually Lucky and his friend Zakes (Jafta Mamabolo (young) and Ronnie Myakale (adult)) are dragged into violent crimes and when everything falls apart he flees to Johannesburg. Zakes and Lucky go straight and run a taxi business. Eventually Lucky becomes fed up with the crime he sees around him and takes it upon himself to clean up the streets one building at a time. In doing this Lucky in effect becomes a slum lord but one that has the resident’s best wishes at heart.

We very rarely see Lucky performing any violent crimes and when he does it is for the betterment of the people. Yes, he is performing illegal acts and bringing financial ruin to the buildings owners but the film succeeds at making you feel as if Lucky is doing what is right. Unfortunately, the story of Lucky follows the standard growth of a criminal with stock characters and events that can be drawn from every other rise of a gangster story. What we end up with is a compelling story that is mired in mediocrity of cliches. Gangster’s Paradise: Jeruselama is an interesting look into the rise of a Robin Hood style character and I do recommend catching it on DVD but the praise I give it is tempered by the fact that I do feel like I’ve seen it before.

Gangster’s Paradise: Jeruselama was just released by Anchor Bay Entertainment on DVD. The DVD bonus features include an audio commentary with Producer/Writer/Director Ralph Ziman, Composer Alan Lazar and Actor Jafta Mamabolo, as well as deleted scenes and the theatrical trailer.