THE WOUND

Selected as South Africa’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards, follows the closeted relationship between two men as they embark on the Xhosa initiation ritual for adolescent boys. According to media reports, this ritual has a disturbingly high death toll. Focusing on a cultural ritual that many find barbaric, the film also deals with issues of masculinity and sexuality. The film’s lead character, Xolani (right), returns to the village each year to serve as a caregiver to the new boys, and for the opportunity to re-establish his sexual relationship with a childhood friend and fellow caregiver Vija. But Vija is married with a family and regards Xolani as just a convenient gratification. When Xolani is tasked with caring for a new boy, Kwanda, who is also gay, tension begins to rise and the characters are forced to acknowledge what they are hiding.