Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu

Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu is a 2016 biographical drama movie, which narrates and commemorates the rich, intense, and tragic life of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu, one of South Africa's most iconic freedom fighters. Directed by Mandlakayise Walter Dube Jr. and starring Thabo Rametsi in the lead role, this movie brilliantly brings to life the tale of a young hero whose relentless struggles against the injustices of apartheid left an indelible mark in South African history and resonated worldwide. Rametsi's performance, along with those of Thabo Malema, Welile Nzuza, and others, contributes to the rich fabric of the film, which is both an emotional study of a man and his commitment to his country and people, and an exploration of broader historical and political themes.

The movie opens with Solomon Mahlangu, a vivacious and motivated young man living in the impoverished Mamelodi township near Pretoria. Mahlangu is shown selling produce to support his family, a task that he does with a fusion of responsibility and humor, illustrating his character's joviality amidst hardship. Just as the audience begins to appreciate the rhythm and cadence of his everyday life, a peaceful student-led protest against the unjust apartheid policies is brutally broken up by the police, leading Mahlangu to embrace a prompt life-change, setting him on a path towards selfless sacrifice and unwavering fight for freedom.

Solomon, in the wake of terrible police brutality, sets off with his friends to join the underground African National Congress (ANC), thereby starting his journey into liberation politics and guerrilla warfare that will lead him from Mamelodi's sun-lit streets to a harsher, more punishing foreign environment. The trio receives combat training in Angola and Mozambique as part of the ANC's military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe' (Spear of the Nation), thereby biting into a new life that demands of them equal measures of courage and resilience.

Thabo Rametsi captures heartbreakingly the plight, struggle, and eventual resolve of a young man pushed into a corner by oppressive systemic forces, while Thabo Malema and Welile Nzuza showcase performances that lend an incredible depth to their characters, enriching the narrative.

Being more a biographical film than a political exposition, Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu moves with a certain dramatic momentum not often found in historical retellings. The director builds the film for the majority of its length on personal stories rather than on grand historical events, lending it a greater depth and making the characters more relatable.

Shot partly on the authentic locations of Solomon Mahlangu's lived experiences, the movie lays bare the brutal reality of apartheid-era South Africa's structural inequalities. The film's cinematographer molds the chaotic and earthly aesthetics of the urban and rural landscapes into a deeply poetic visual experience.

In terms of storytelling, the movie employs a personal and intimate approach rather than a macroscopic view of history, thus exploring the intricacies of its character's psyche, his interpersonal relationships, and the oppressive world he livens in. Dialogues are sharp, smart, and often heart-tugging, doing justice to the harsh realities of the apartheid-era South Africa. The movie tastefully touches upon Mahlangu's love life, his relationships with his comrades, and his gradual transformation from an ordinary township boy to an extraordinary freedom fighter.

Adding to the movie's overall impact is the haunting and soul-stirring music score which amplifies the emotional resonance of somber moments, gives voice to the unspoken subtexts, and adds life to the intense action sequences.

To sum it up, Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu is a deeply moving biography that pays a fitting tribute to a young hero whose sacrifice for his nation's freedom exemplifies the strength of human spirit. The film's rich portrayal of the reality of apartheid, along with exceptional performances from the cast, makes it a must-watch. It reminds audiences of the strength of human will, the importance of fighting for justice, and that democracy and freedom aren't freely given but wrestled out of the clutches of oppressors through immense sacrifice and struggle.