The Gods Must Be Crazy

Gods must be crazyposter

The Gods Must Be Crazy
Directed by	Jamie Uys
Written by	Jamie Uys
Produced by	Jamie Uys
Narrated by	Paddy O'Byrne
Cinematography	Buster Reynolds
Edited by	Ralph Kemplen
Music by	John Boshoff
Production company	CAT Films
Distributed by	Ster-Kinekor
Release date	September  10, 1980 (1980-09-10) (South Africa)
Running time	109 minutes
Country	South Africa
Languages	Afrikaans, English
Budget	$5 million
Box office	$100 million

The Gods Must Be Crazy is a 1980 South African comedy film written and directed by Jamie Uys. The film is the first in The Gods Must Be Crazy series and was followed by The Gods Must Be Crazy II in 1989. The film is set in Botswana and follows the story of a San tribesman named Xi, who encounters modern civilization for the first time.

Plot

The film begins with a narrator explaining the life of the San tribe in the Kalahari Desert. The peaceful existence of the tribe is disrupted when a Coca-Cola bottle is thrown from an airplane and lands unbroken in the desert. The tribesmen initially find various uses for the bottle, but it soon becomes a source of conflict. Believing the bottle to be an evil object, Xi decides to take it to the edge of the world and dispose of it.

During his journey, Xi encounters various aspects of modern civilization, including a biologist named Andrew Steyn and a school teacher named Kate Thompson. The film humorously depicts the misunderstandings and cultural clashes that arise from these encounters.

Cast

• N!xau as Xi
• Marius Weyers as Andrew Steyn
• Sandra Prinsloo as Kate Thompson
• Louw Verwey as Sam Boga
• Michael Thys as Mpudi
• Nic de Jager as Jack Hind

Production

The film was shot primarily in Tsumkwe, Namibia, and various locations in Botswana. The director, Jamie Uys, aimed to create a film that would highlight the simplicity and innocence of the San tribe while providing a comedic critique of modern society.

Reception

The Gods Must Be Crazy was a commercial success, grossing over $100 million worldwide. It received positive reviews for its unique storytelling and humorous take on cultural differences. The film has since become a cult classic and is often studied for its portrayal of indigenous cultures and its commentary on modernity.

Legacy

The success of The Gods Must Be Crazy led to the production of a sequel, The Gods Must Be Crazy II, and several unofficial sequels. The film remains a significant work in South African cinema and continues to be popular among audiences worldwide.

Related Pages

• The Gods Must Be Crazy II
• Jamie Uys
• San people
• Kalahari Desert
• South African cinema