# The Gods Must Be Crazy

> 1980 film directed by Jamie Uys

**Wikidata**: [Q647665](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q647665)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gods_Must_Be_Crazy)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-gods-must-be-crazy

## Summary
The Gods Must Be Crazy is a 1980 South African comedy film directed by Jamie Uys that became an international box office success. The film follows the story of a Kalahari bushman who encounters modern civilization after a Coca-Cola bottle falls from an airplane into his tribe's territory.

## Key Facts
- Released in 1980, with South African premiere on September 10, 1980
- Directed by Jamie Uys, who also served as producer and film editor
- Starring Nǃxau, Sandra Prinsloo, and Marius Weyers
- Runtime of 109 minutes
- Budget of $5 million with box office earnings of $34 million
- Rated PG by the MPAA and FSK 12 in Germany
- Original languages include English, Afrikaans, and Juǀʼhoansi
- Filmed in South Africa and Botswana, set in the Kalahari Desert
- Part of "The Gods Must Be Crazy" film series (first installment)
- Distributed by Ster-Kinekor and later available on Netflix
- Featured in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art

## FAQs
**What is the plot of The Gods Must Be Crazy?**
The film follows Xi, a Kalahari bushman, whose tribe's peaceful existence is disrupted when a Coca-Cola bottle falls from an airplane. The tribe initially sees the bottle as a gift from the gods, but it eventually causes conflict, leading Xi to embark on a journey to throw it off the edge of the world.

**Who are the main cast members?**
The film stars Nǃxau as Xi, Sandra Prinsloo as Kate Thompson, and Marius Weyers as Andrew Steyn. Jamie Uys also appears in a supporting role.

**What genre is The Gods Must Be Crazy?**
The film is primarily a comedy but also incorporates elements of adventure and road movie genres, following Xi's journey through various landscapes and encounters with modern civilization.

**Where was the film shot?**
The Gods Must Be Crazy was filmed in South Africa and Botswana, with the Kalahari Desert serving as a primary filming location to authentically portray the bushman's environment.

**Is The Gods Must Be Crazy part of a series?**
Yes, it is the first film in "The Gods Must Be Crazy" series, followed by The Gods Must Be Crazy II.

## Why It Matters
The Gods Must Be Crazy holds significant cultural and cinematic importance as one of the most successful African films internationally, demonstrating that stories from the African continent could achieve global commercial success. The film provided unprecedented exposure to San people and their culture, though it also sparked debates about representation and stereotyping. Its success challenged Hollywood's dominance in the comedy genre and proved that low-budget international productions could compete in the global market. The film's exploration of the clash between traditional and modern societies resonated with audiences worldwide, making it a cultural touchstone for discussions about globalization and cultural preservation.

## Notable For
- One of the highest-grossing foreign films in the United States during the 1980s
- Launched the international career of Nǃxau, the San actor who played Xi
- Featured extensive use of Juǀʼhoansi language, rare for mainstream cinema at the time
- Achieved cult status and became a staple of international film festivals
- Sparked academic discussions about post-colonial representation in cinema
- Successfully blended physical comedy with social commentary
- Demonstrated the commercial viability of African-produced films in Western markets

## Body
### Production and Creative Team
The Gods Must Be Crazy was written, directed, produced, and edited by Jamie Uys, a South African filmmaker who had previously worked on documentaries and feature films. The film's music was composed by John Boshoff, while Paddy O'Byrne provided narration. Uys's multifaceted involvement in the production allowed for a cohesive vision throughout the film, from script to final cut.

### Cast and Characters
The film features Nǃxau, a San bushman from Namibia, in his debut acting role as Xi. Sandra Prinsloo, a well-known South African actress, plays Kate Thompson, a South African schoolteacher. Marius Weyers portrays Andrew Steyn, a clumsy biologist. The casting choices created an interesting dynamic between experienced South African actors and Nǃxau, who had no prior acting experience but brought authenticity to his role.

### Distribution and Reception
Initially released in South Africa in September 1980, the film gained international distribution and became particularly successful in the United States, where it was released in October 1984. The film received a 73/100 Metascore and 86% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. It was distributed theatrically by Ster-Kinekor and later became available on video on demand platforms including Netflix.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
The Gods Must Be Crazy became a cultural phenomenon, particularly in the United States, where it played for over a year in some theaters. The film's success led to three sequels and established a template for cross-cultural comedies. However, it also faced criticism for its portrayal of the San people and its simplistic view of cultural differences. Despite these criticisms, the film remains an important milestone in African cinema and continues to be studied in film and cultural studies programs.

### Technical Specifications
The film has a duration of 109 minutes and was produced with a budget of $5 million. It was shot on location in the Kalahari Desert regions of South Africa and Botswana, utilizing the natural landscape to create an authentic setting. The cinematography captures the stark beauty of the desert environment while contrasting it with scenes of modern civilization.

### Classification and Ratings
The Gods Must Be Crazy received various ratings across different countries: PG in the United States, FSK 12 in Germany, and Category II in Hong Kong. In the Netherlands, it received a Kijkwijzer rating of 12 due to violence. The film has no age restriction rating in France according to CNC classification.

### Series and Related Works
As the first installment in "The Gods Must Be Crazy" series, the film established characters and themes that would be explored in subsequent sequels. The success of the original led to The Gods Must Be Crazy II (1989), continuing the adventures of Xi and expanding the franchise's international reach.

### Preservation and Recognition
The film has been preserved in various formats and is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. It has been released on multiple home video formats and remains accessible through streaming services. The film's cultural significance has ensured its continued availability and study in academic contexts.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080801/)
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/bogowie-musza-byc-szaleni)
3. [Source](http://film.onet.pl/bogowie-musza-byc-szaleni)
4. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080801/fullcredits)
5. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
6. The Movie Database
7. The Gods Must Be Crazy. Rotten Tomatoes
8. [Source](https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/42717/die-gotter-mussen-verruckt-sein)
9. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080801/releaseinfo)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. African Film: Re-imagining a Continent
12. [Source](http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=godsmustbecrazy.htm)
13. Kinopoisk
14. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/gods-must-be-crazy/)
15. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
16. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
17. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/55144)
18. Online-Filmdatenbank
19. mymovies.it
20. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/85681)
21. TheTVDB
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23. FilmVandaag.nl