A bold new film explores homosexuality and ritual initiation in the Eastern Cape. By

“The scope for the film is much wider, and broader now,” he said. This plays into his aim for the movie — to change the way homosexual men are portrayed in African cinema.

Trengove admits he’s an outsider to the complex world shown in his movie. “It was very challenging, but also very rewarding because by stepping into this space, some phenomenal collaborations took place.”

He was referring to working with Thando Mgqolozana and Malusi Bengu, his co-scriptwriters, and the cast: Touré (who won best alternative album at the South African Music Awards in 2014) in his first acting role, theatre star Bongile Mantsai, and youngster Niza Jay Ncoyini.

Trengove said each had their own reason for wanting to be part of the film, fully aware it would stoke ire and contention among many South Africans — even before they saw it. protective and will defend their decisions with my life.”

For Touré, 29, who has already experienced some backlash on social media for being in a film that lifts the veil from a cloaked tradition, it was the authenticity of the story that compelled him to sign on for his first acting role.

“What I found poignant is that the story isn’t as alien as people would like to pretend it is. That’s really the trigger here — the sore point for people.”

His reason goes deeper still. “Because some of these things that happened in the movie happened to me when I went up the mountain,” said Touré, who was born in Alice in the Eastern Cape.

“When word got out that I