The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureMovie reviews

They Go to Die

They Go to Die | Movie review
21 March 2013
Joe Turnbull
Avatar
Joe Turnbull
21 March 2013

“Not every public health disaster can be described in numbers,” says epidemiologist-turned-filmmaker Jonathan Smith, director of They Go to Die.

The gold mines in South Africa have the highest incidence of TB and HIV in the world, employing migrant workers from small villages across the South of the Continent. A tragic mix of silica dust exposure, hot and humid working conditions and cramped living quarters create the perfect environment for TB/HIV to spread. Workers are treated for TB at the mines’ hospitals, but once they become too sick to work they are cast aside, like broken tools, with no ongoing care: “sent home to die”.

They Go to Die focuses on the lives of four ex-mineworkers, telling the human story behind the statistics. There are countless touching moments exploring the universal human experiences of love, family, grief and hope.

Mr. Mkoko worked in the mines to support his wife, sister and two sons. Now his 7-year old son reminds him when to take his medication. “He is a good man. I worry about him,” says the sister he can no longer support.

Mr. Ndlagamandla lives in a remote area of Swaziland. Despite his extreme poverty and ill-health, he keeps smiling; he is a warm character full of laughter even though the future looks bleak for his 14 strong family.

Mr. Mahabi faces the agonising prospect of sending his son to work at the mines, knowing the extreme health risks he will face. It’s heartbreaking to see that the family have no choice, his son must go to work or else they will starve.

Mr. Sagati and his wife reminisce about how they first met – it’s a tender moment. Despite the dangers, he misses working in the mines and wishes he could return; his family have no income now and can’t pay for his treatment.

The film is a stark reminder of the abject poverty faced by so many. Staggering unemployment levels mean that no matter how many workers are “sent home to die” there are always more to take their place. Living in a consumer culture of disposable items, it is grotesque to think that in other parts of the world, human life is just as disposable. This film raises awareness of a problem that is preventable. It’s extremely moving.

★★★★★

Joe Turnbull

For further information about They Go to Die visit the film’s website here. 

Related Itemsreview

More in Movie reviews

Eric Ravilious: Drawn to War

★★★★★
Umar Ali
Read More

Minions: The Rise of Gru

★★★★★
Sarah Bradbury
Read More

Nitram

★★★★★
Umar Ali
Read More

The Princess

★★★★★
Umar Ali
Read More

We (Nous)

★★★★★
Jake Cudsi
Read More

Tigers

★★★★★
Guy Lambert
Read More

Theo and the Metamorphosis

★★★★★
Oliver Johnston
Read More

The Big Hit

★★★★★
Andrew Murray
Read More

Moon, 66 Questions

★★★★★
Joseph Owen
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • The Rollings Stones give Glasto a run for its money at BST Festival in Hyde Park
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Africa Fashion at the V&A
    ★★★★★
    Art
  • Beauty and the Beast: The Musical at London Palladium
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • “He used to spit at the audience, roll on the ground, he did, in fact, hump that plastic dog – he was the original punk rocker”: Baz Luhrman, Tom Hanks, Austin Butler, Olivia DeJonge and Alton Mason on Elvis
    Cinema & Tv
  • The Princess
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Eric Ravilious: Drawn to War
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Beauty and the Beast: The Musical at London Palladium
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • The Terminal List
    ★★★★★
    amazon
  • Baymax!
    ★★★★★
    disney
  • St Vincent at the Hammersmith Apollo
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Beauty and the Beast: The Musical at London Palladium
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • St Vincent at the Hammersmith Apollo
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Netflix Walking Tour: From Bridgerton to The Crown, a free walking tour through the filming locations
    Cinema & Tv
  • Africa Fashion at the V&A
    ★★★★★
    Art
  • Minions: The Rise of Gru
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Brickoven Milano in Chiswick | Restaurant review
Trance | Movie review