Knuckle City

Knuckle City is a 2019 South African crime sports film written and directed by Jahmil X.T. Qubeka.[1] It was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.[2] It was selected as the South African entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, but was ultimately not nominated.[3]

Knuckle City
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJahmil X.T. Qubeka
Written byJahmil X.T. Qubeka
Produced byLayla Swart
Starring
CinematographyWillie Nel
Edited byLayla Swart
Release dates
  • 18 July 2019 (2019-07-18) (Durban IFF)
  • 28 February 2020 (2020-02-28) (South Africa)
Running time
111 minutes
CountrySouth Africa
LanguageXhosa

Cast
  • Bongile Mantsai as Dudu Nyakama
  • Sivuyile Ngesi as Goatee
  • Nomhle Nkonyeni as Ma Bokwana
  • Patrick Ndlovu as Bra Pat

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a perfect approval rating of 100% based on seven reviews and an average rating of 7.8/10.[4]

Film critic Anne T. Donahue of Globe and Mail gave the film 3 and half stars out of four, saying, "It is a movie that’s as defined by what one’s heart can endure as much as it is by its mesmerizing sport, its acting and how long it will stay with you. Knuckle City cannot be overlooked."[5] Courtney Small of In The Seats gave it a 4/5 stars and praised the fresh take on traditional genre tropes, saying "Bathed in a sea of poverty and corruption, Knuckle City challenges traditional notions of masculinity to expose how toxic and destructive it is. Spreading like a virus, the sins that the brothers’ inherited from their father are part of a greater systemic problem impacting the township of Mdantsane. Unflinchingly gritty, Knuckle City brings a fresh South African take on traditional genre tropes. Engulfed in beautiful cinematography that is both sweeping and intimate, Qubeka shows that actions to uplift family, and not endanger them, is what real manhood is all about."[6] In 2020 MoJo Global Arts brokered a deal with Showtime (TV network) to air Knuckle City on Showtime.[7]

Accolades

Knuckle City took home five awards at the 2020 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) including Best Actor in a Feature Film, Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film, Best Achievement in Directing in a Feature Film, Best Achievement in Production Design in a Feature Film and Best Achievement in Make-Up and Hairstyling in a Feature Film. [8]

See also

References
  1. Vourlias, Christopher (18 July 2019). "Jahmil X.T. Qubeka on Durban Opening-Night Film 'Knuckle City'". Variety. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  2. "Toronto Adds The Aeronauts, Mosul, Seberg, & More To Festival Slate". Deadline. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  3. "Oscars: South Africa Selects 'Knuckle City' for International Feature Film Category". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  4. "Knuckle City (2019)", Rotten Tomatoes, Fandango, retrieved 30 October 2021
  5. "TIFF 2019: Updated – The Globe's latest ratings and reviews of movies screening at the festival". Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  6. "TIFF 2019: Our Review of 'Knuckle City'". In The Seats. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  7. Kay2020-07-31T02:16:00+01:00, Jeremy. "South African Oscar submission 'Knuckle City' finds US home (exclusive)". Screen.
  8. Mathebula, Kwanele (30 April 2020). "The River and Knuckle City clean up at the 2020 SAFTAs". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
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