Movie Review: The Gods Must Be Crazy

The Gods Must Be Crazy
CAT Films, Mimosa Films, Botswana, South Africa, 1980.

In Kalahari desert lives Bushman tribe, who are content people without notion of private property. Their living is carefree in contrast to busy people living in the city. One day Xi (N!xau) finds an empty Coca-Cola bottle thrown from an airplane. Maybe the gods gave them the bottle. The bottle is an useful tool and soon everyone wants to use it. It has a similar effect on the natives as the One Ring on the people of Middle Earth. As the bottle causes argument, Xi tries to get rid of it. It is more difficult than expected so Xi says he will travel to the Mount Doom end of the Earth to throw it away. 

Xi

Meanwhile in Barani there is a violent coup attempt. President (Ken Gampu) sends army to kill coup leader Sam Boga (Louw Verwey). The army and terrorists have their little war in the banana plantation. Although the terrorists are deadly assassins, they are also comically inept. Finally the terrorists cross the border and escape to Botswana.

Sam Boga

Kate Thompson (Sandra Prinsloo) is stressed with city life and she gets a calm job as teacher in a small village. Clumsy Scientist Andrew Steyn (Marius Weyers) drives to fetch her in his junk car. All kinds of funny events occur on the way. The car breaks and they are left in the middle of savanna. Xi meets them and thinks they are gods. He tries to give the bottle to them. Later Xi gets in trouble with law but Andrew and his mechanic Mpudi (Michael Thys) save him by offering Xi a job as an animal tracker and guide. The terrorist cause trouble and Xi, Andrew and Mpudi must save the kidnapped children. 

Andrew and preacher (Jamie Uys)

Mpudi

Kate

This is a funny comedy about cultural differences. Both Xi and Andrew and his friends cause hilarity trying to understand each other's weird habits. Narrator (Paddy O'Byrne) entertainingly tells how Xi sees the modern culture. Partially the movie is a documentary about the Bushmen, giving a bit too idealized picture of the Bushman way of life. But also Kate and Andrew have their misunderstandings. "When I meet women, my brain switches off, I turn into a complete idiot" explains Andrew (I feel you bro). The story feels episodic with some hit-or-miss jokes but the story has charm and the local actors and extras bring authenticity. The farcical slapstick action is often sped-up making it look like a Benny Hill- skit. Even the semi-serious terrorist side-plot is amusing with them slipping on bananas or having trouble with their bazooka. Watched in the proper mood, this is fun and also a bit satirical story.

Ironically real life bushman N!Xau had no concept of money but became aware of money's worth and demanded roughly $50000 for the sequel. The official two films got also three unofficial sequels made in Hong Kong.

Funny events occur when Andrew is on the wheel

Xi travels to the end of the Earth

Part of The 2016 Movie Watching Challenge (#33. Movie whose director is not from Europe or North America)

Rating: Good

Starring: Marius Weyers, Sandra Prinsloo , N!xau, Louw Verwey, Michael Thys, Nic de Jager, Fanyana H. Sidumo, Joe Seakatsie, Brian O'Shaughnessy, Ken Gampu, Paddy O'Byrne, Graham Armitage, Vera Blacker, Katinka Heyns, Jamie Uys 

Director: Jamie Uys