A compelling drama about the clash between customary and adopted (or imposed) law, this feature marks the screenwriting and directing debut of Gavin Hood, the filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning Tsotsi.

Hood also plays the lead, Sean Raine, an attorney who defends a young boy, Sipho (Loyiso Gxwala), charged with the murder of a baby. Sipho asserts that what he killed was not a human infant but a tokoloshe, a creature cursed with evil spirits. Raine tries to explain to the judge (played by the late Nigel Hawthorne) and jury that Sipho was acting sincerely, in accordance with his beliefs, and therefore did not truly commit a crime.

All the while Raine battles his own spirits: during his time as a soldier in the South African army he killed a young black man by mistake while fighting in Angola and has been plagued with guilt ever since.

2000:All Africa Film Awards - Best Actor
2000:All Africa Film Awards - Best Film
2000:All Africa Film Awards - Best Anglophone Film
2000:All Africa Film Awards - Best Screenwriting
2000: Cinequst San jose Film Fest - Audience award
2000: Karlovy Vary international Film Fest - Award for Eucemencial Jury