The title of the film “The Gods Must Be Crazy” resonates with many individuals from the 1980s and 1990s. Just hearing the name of the film or seeing images of the main character, Xixo, a Kalahari Bushman, evokes a sense of nostalgia for that era. Consequently, Xixo has become a legendary figure for countless people.
Box Office Hit of the 1980s
From a humble beginning, the actor N!xau rose to fame after the film aired in South Africa in 1980, becoming a national phenomenon.
Six years after its production, in November 1986, “The Gods Must Be Crazy” was released to audiences in North America and received widespread acclaim. The film grossed approximately $100 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful films globally.
Summary of the Film’s Plot
One day, a Coca-Cola bottle falls from an airplane and lands in the remote Kalahari Desert, where a Kalahari Bushman named Xixo lives. This event triggers a series of hilarious misunderstandings that lead Xixo to decide to return the “alien object” to the gods.
At the same time, a white teacher tired of city life volunteers for a job in Botswana. She meets a scientist who is at odds with her, and their comedic journey intertwines with Xixo’s quest.
The film’s picturesque setting in the wild, combined with Xixo’s naive and genuine nature, provides viewers with a delightful experience. Audiences are treated to a glimpse of the life of the indigenous people living in remote regions, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural values and the natural environment.
N!xau: The Star Who Became a Legend
N!xau, also known as Gcao Tekene Coma, was born in 1943 and belonged to the San indigenous people of Namibia. His unique clicking sounds in the film highlight a language that cannot be rendered in written form due to the absence of a standardized alphabet.
Before gaining fame as the impoverished Bushman Xixo in “The Gods Must Be Crazy,” N!xau lived a relatively quiet life in his hometown.
When discovered by South African director Jamie Uys, N!xau had little exposure to modern life. According to a 2000 article in The Namibian, N!xau had met only three white people before being cast in the film. Unsurprisingly, he had never seen a city larger than the small settlements in his community.
After completing the first part of “The Gods Must Be Crazy,” N!xau was paid $300 (over 7 million VND at current exchange rates), but he did not understand the value of money and was unsure how to use it, leading him to spend it all in one go.
Return to Roots and Finding Solace
By the time the sequel “The Gods Must Be Crazy 2” was in production, N!xau had come to understand the value of money, even jokingly expressing his desire to use some of it to build a brick house with electricity and running water for his family.
After gaining fame from the film, director Jamie Uys admitted that taking N!xau out of his natural environment was a regrettable decision. He stated that N!xau was born to act.
“All Bushmen are born actors,” Uys remarked in a 1990 interview with the Associated Press. Following this, N!xau appeared in several Hong Kong films and the Chinese film “The Gods Must Be Funny.”
N!xau in his later years.
With his unique sense of humor, N!xau traveled around the world for ten years to work in films, but after realizing that the lifestyle was not suitable for him, he decided to return to his humble life in the Kalahari in 2000.
Upon returning home, N!xau lived with his family, which included three wives and six children, in a modest mud-brick house. He took care of livestock and cultivated crops.
According to The Namibian, N!xau had a car for a while but had to rent a driver as he never learned to drive.
On July 8, 2003, it was reported by The New York Times that the star of “The Gods Must Be Crazy” had passed away. At the time of his death, N!xau was around 59 years old. People often remarked that N!xau himself was unsure of his exact age.
N!xau was discovered dead in a bush near his home while walking along the road. Local police officials in the Tsumkwe area of Namibia’s Kalahari, where N!xau was born, confirmed the news but did not provide any details regarding the cause of death. Prior to his passing, N!xau was believed to be suffering from tuberculosis.
Source: The New York Times, The African History
