This is an ambitious South African feature, a story of the emergence of gangs in the townships in the 1970s and 1980s. It is based on the actual activities of a young man from the townships, Bernard Baatijies.

The film opens with a picture of a family, the pressure of the father who is a devout and strict religious minister, the mother supporting her son – who spends a lot of his time watching Dallas and is intrigued by the personality of J.R. Ewing. The film shows life in the townships, the violence of the gangs, the deaths. Bernie experiences grief at friends’ deaths – although, in a fight, he leaves one of his friends to die (he doesn't die and this has later repercussions). 

When Bernie decides to go to Capetown to make his fortune, a series of fortunate events for him enable him to ingratiate himself with the owner of a club.  He exploits a simple young man who begins to rely on him – and, on the whole, he supports him.  However, he is always ready to betray.

The film shows a South African parallel to American stories of gangsters and Mafia experiences.  Bernie falls in and out of luck, loses everything, regains everything.  However, his conscience is rarely bothered.  Ultimately, he has to make some decisions and, while they are self-centred, there is some concern about his friend and he begins to prosper, especially by moving to Johannesburg. 

The film was written and directed by Donovan Marsh, a South African producer-director for popular television shows like Who Wants To Be a Millionaire as well as a number of music videos, commercials and documentaries.  It can be compared to other stories of the early 21st century that treat boys in gangs in Cape Town who learn to make good, despite difficulties:  The Flyer, The Wooden Camera.

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