Jerusalema: Gangster’s Paradise Trailer & Poster. In Cinemas July 9th
Today I was fortunate enough to attend a press screening for Jerusalema: Gangster’s Paradise, and I have to say it was brilliant, it was captivating throughout and by a stretch it was the most gritty and important film I’ve seen so far this year. Expect to see a full review from me in the next few weeks. The film has been doing the rounds on the film festival circuit and is now set to be released to the general public June 11th in the US and July 9th in the UK. South African cinema has released some of the best films of the last few years for me with this, Tsotsi and District 9
Inspired by a true story, Gangster’s Paradise: Jerusalema is an unflinching look into the crime, corruption and the transgressions of those looking to survive in the most crime-infested district of Johannesburg.
Starting off with simple smash and grabs, and petty crime, Lucky Kunene quickly graduates to more aggressive heists such as armed robbery and carjacking. Soon, Lucky realizes he needs a bigger score to fulfill his goals of making it big, and escaping from the slums, to a dream house by the sea. Kunene hatches an elaborate and violent plan to make his fortune – hijacking buildings from landlords of Johannesburg tenements by winning the favor of the tenants and then holding their rent hostage from the landowners. His high-profile real estate acquisitions attract the attention of the local police force who have no qualms about using unprovoked brutality to bring him down. His trouble with the law, coupled with an escalating war between a local drug lord, creates a tense standoff: both sides are closing in, and Kunene must stay one step ahead—or his empire, and his life, will come crashing down. Gangster’s Paradise: Jerusalema is written and directed by Ralph Ziman, and stars Rapaulana Seiphemo (Tsotsi), Robert Hobbs (District 9), Kenneth Nkosi (District 9), Eugene Khumbanyiwa (District 9), and Louise Saint-Claire (District 9).









