Acclaimed film ‘Inxeba’ opens deep wounds
SIPHELELE BUTHELEZI and SOYISO MALITI
DESPITE receiving international recognition, the release of Inxeba: The Wound back home has been marred by protests and death threats for the cast and its producers.
The award-winning film, which is entirely in Xhosa, depicts a story of unrequited love between two initiates in an initiation school setting.
It was announced on Friday that the production had scooped a staggering eight nominations for the SA Film and Television Awards.
However, the release of the movie was cancelled for “security reasons” by Nu Metro Cinemas at Canal Walk in Cape Town and Walker Park in Port Elizabeth. Later Nu Metro announced that the film had been withdrawn at all of their theatres in the country.
Ster Kinekor has not withdrawn the movie.
In a statement, a Nu Metro spokesperson expressed disappointment and announced that they would no longer be screening the movie – citing the violent threats that have been aired on social media.
“Nu Metro Cinemas wish to express our disappointment that, 21 years after the constitution of South Africa was ratified, threats of violence and intimidation are obstructing the legally protected rights of storytellers to tell their stories and of audiences to enjoy such stories,” the spokesperson said.
“It is in the interests of the safety of our staff and customers that, after receiving such threats, as well as the incitement of violence that has surfaced on social media, we have reluctantly elected to withdraw the film from our screens, the film-makers having been effectively prevented from exercising the rights enshrined in our nation’s constitution.”
The LGBTQ community has criticised “conservative men” who were against the movie as hyper-masculine.
Nandy Nothling, spokesperson for Gays & Lesbians Network, said: “The movie doesn’t touch on details of the culture more than it does on sexuality.”
She added that some of the messages on social media bordered on homophobia and hate speech.
“We don’t see why the movie should be boycotted because the fact of the matter is there are (Xhosa) gay men,” Nothling said. Inxeba:the Wound.
Despite the drama, Inxeba was nominated in the categories of best feature film, best actor, best achievement in directing feature film, best supporting actor.
Film director and co-writer John Trengove said they were incredibly honoured by the positive response from the judges.
“No other film has racked up as many Safta nominations, and it is particularly rewarding to receive this level of recognition today, when the film has opened on the local circuit, to much criticism for its perceived cultural insensitivity,” said Trengove.
Instead of celebrating the film nomination, the cast and producers had to defend the film from critics who wanted to prevent it from being shown in cinemas.
Traditional leaders and cultural activists said the film was plotted in a distasteful manner and had distorted activities associated with the ritual.
The cast and producers of the film received threats when the film made its debut at the Durban International film festival last year.
Its lead actor Nakhane Touré was attacked on social media and had to cancel some of the shoots he had in the Eastern Cape and Cape Town at the time.
With the continued threats and boycotts against the film, the producers have laid a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission and the Commission for Gender Equality
In a stinging statement, Trengove said they were now fighting back to protect their rights.
“The backlash against Inxeba seems to be proportionally much larger than it was to Mandela’s Long Walk To Freedom.
“You could look at that and speculate that perhaps there is a homophobic subtext.
“This is disgraceful and should be troubling to all of us, especially to those that believe in the freedom granted by our constitution.”