Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema

2010/South Africa/119mins
Dir. Ralph Ziman
Cast:Robert Hobbs, Eugene Khumbanyiwa, Kenneth Nkosi, Louise Saint-Claire, Rapaulana Seiphemo

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.

Lucky hatches an elaborate and violent plan to make his fortune – hijacking building 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 Lucky must stay one step ahead, or his empire, and his life, will come crashing down.