Today, the South African series “Go!” arrives on Netflix, immersing us in the story of a sprinter and his beginnings. The series is the work of producer Kutlwano Ditsele and screenwriter Thuli Zuma, who aspire to take the sports genre a step further, combining realism and sports in the story of this boy for whom sports was, literally, his only way out.
“Go!” is not the classic family-friendly sports movie: it contains a realistic vision and, as is customary in South African Netflix productions, a sometimes raw view of reality. Without being a harsh film, it takes a genre typically epic and family-oriented into the realm of true stories, with genuine characters and narratives.
It doesn’t reinvent cinema or offer anything unexpected from its premise, but “Go!” has quality production, good performances, and a solid script for a series that manages to convince with its arguments and add a touch of realism to the sports genre and the world of racing.
Plot
“Go!” follows the intense journey of Siya Gumede (nicknamed “Bolt” after Usain Bolt, the legendary Jamaican sprinter), a highly talented young sprinter whose life takes an unexpected turn when he receives a life-changing scholarship to the prestigious private school St. Judes in Johannesburg. However, the night before leaving, he accidentally hits a boy with his vehicle.
The series explores Siya’s journey as he faces intense pressure from his new teammates – Sizwe, RJ, and Ade – while dealing with the weight of his family’s problems. His sick mother and his troubled brother Shuffle add emotional complexity to his already chaotic life.
Our Opinion
Netflix has bet on South African cinema, and the stories they offer each have a special touch. With a budget infinitely smaller than a series shot in the United States or Canada, “Go!” manages to tell us a realistic story and features solid character development and quality production.
It doesn’t come to reinvent cinema or television, but it does give a significant twist to the sports genre, this time mixed with social realism, making “Go!” an enjoyable series, entertaining and with a true touch.
Thandolwethu Zondi as Siya “Bolt” Gumede is a true discovery.
Enjoy the series.
Where to Watch “Go!”
