‘Inxeba’ tears the country apart

Indigenous Film Distribution (IFD), the company distributing and marketing the controversial film, Inxeba (The Wound), pictured, strongly denies that 99% of the population oppose it following complaints of cultural insensitivity and death threats to cinema staff.

Man and Boy Foundation executive director Nkululeko Nxesi claimed on TV recently that almost the entire population of the country was opposed to the film.

It tells the coming-of-age story of a gay city boy on a journey from boyhood to manhood at an initiation school in rural Eastern Cape. He refuses to conform to the Xhosa culture’s idea of masculinity. The closeted gay affair, while in the mountains, between his mentor and fellow caregiver casts a shadow on how his adulthood will be shaped.

Director John Trengove said: “It’s a complete fallacy to say that the film exposes anything that is not already known.

“We did a tremendous amount of research, working with Xhosa men who have been through initiation, in writing and developing this film.”

IFD managing director Helen Kuun said: “Inxeba was the best-performing film at seven of the sites where it was playing for the day.

“Ahead of its opening weekend, pre-screenings were held around the country and 85% of people who attended gave it the thumbs up. It was also the number one film at seven of the venues where it screened on [February 2].”

Producer Cait Pansegrouw said that since July 2017, the film had been screened at venues around the country to encourage discussion between the filmmakers and audiences.

The Film and Publications Board has said it would not be restricting the launch of the film, despite the complaints. – Citizen reporter