Watch Four Corners

Four Corners is a South African crime drama film directed by Ian Gabriel and released in 2013. The movie takes its title from the notorious Cape Flats area of Cape Town, where four corners of competing gangs intersect. The film follows the intersecting lives of four characters whose fates converge through an act of violence. The film begins by introducing us to the protagonist of the movie, a 13-year-old chess prodigy named Ricardo (played by Jezriel Skei). We see Ricardo living with his elderly grandmother who tries her best to provide for him, but Ricardo's father is a gangster in prison and his mother is a drug addict who has abandoned him. Despite his difficult upbringing, Ricardo has a talent for chess and is mentored by a former prison inmate named Farakhan (Brendon Daniels), who teaches Ricardo that the strategic thinking used in chess can be applied to life.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to the leader of the notorious Numbers gang, Gasant (Irshaad Ally), and his protege, a young gang member named Tau (Nelson Mandela Bay's Owen Sejake). The relationship between Gasant and Tau is complex, while Gasant is grooming Tau to be his successor, Tau struggles to resist the pull of gang life.

The final piece of the puzzle is a detective named Tito Hanekom (Abduragman Adams), an aging and jaded cop who is struggling with personal demons. He is tasked with solving a murder case, which leads him to cross paths with Ricardo, Farakhan, Gasant, and Tau. Through a series of flashbacks, we see how the lives of these four characters intersected, leading to a violent confrontation.

Four Corners is a well-crafted movie, the characters are all well-rounded and their individual struggles are relatable. The performances are strong, particularly from the young Jezriel Skei, who gives a nuanced performance as Ricardo. The director also makes great use of the Cape Flats setting, with its bleak landscapes and crumbling infrastructure, to add authenticity to the film.

The film's themes are centered around the cycle of violence, particularly how violence begets violence in gang communities. The plight of children growing up in these neighborhoods is also a recurring theme throughout the movie. The portrayal of the gangs is particularly interesting; instead of reducing them to stereotypes, the film shows how the gangs are complex organizations that offer a sense of belonging to their members.

The use of chess as a metaphor for life in the movie is also noteworthy. We see how Ricardo's talent for the game not only provides him with an escape from his harsh reality but also teaches him valuable lessons about strategy and foresight. Similarly, Farakhan's lessons about chess serve as a guiding principle for Ricardo's life decisions.

Four Corners is a film that deserves to be seen, particularly for those interested in crime dramas or those curious about the reality of life in Cape Town's gang-ridden neighborhoods. The movie is visually stunning, with its raw depiction of the Cape Flats and great performances from its cast. The use of chess as a metaphor for life is also an interesting theme that elevates the movie above typical crime dramas. Overall, Four Corners is a powerful film that highlights the struggles of individuals caught in the cycle of violence.

Four Corners is a 2016 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.