Critically acclaimed film The Wound (Inxeba) stays winning.
The award winning film received 8 nominations at the South African Film and Television Awards including Best Directing, Best Feature Film and Best Actor – Feature Film for Nakhane.
However, the opening of the film in South Africa has been followed with protests and cancellation at some screens. News24 is reporting that a Nu Metro cinema in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, Hemingways Mall in East London and Canal Walk in Cape Town have suspended the screening the movie.
Reports say that protest from members of the Xhosa community resulted in angry protests on Friday, as eight of the 16 cinemas taking part in the nationwide release suspended the screening for fear of mob violence and reports of death threats.
The Numetro at Walmer Park tweeted:
Please be advised that, due to protest action, screenings of #Inxeba (‘The Wound’) will not proceed as planned. If you’ve booked, we will gladly refund you or exchange your tickets for another film—contact helpdesk@numetro.co.za. We will update you as the situation warrants.
— Nu Metro Walmer Park (@numetrowalmer) February 2, 2018
The film’s director John Trengove tweeted
Who are these men protesting #Inxeba? It’s just a film! Where are they when women and children are raped in our communities? Where are they when gays and lesbians are murdered in our streets? Shame on them for wasting time protesting a film when there is real work to be done.
— John Trengove (@johntrengove) February 3, 2018
The official Twitter of the film also tweeted
While we respect those who choose not to watch the film, it is unacceptable that people’s lives are being threatened. We urge the parties leading these protests to take responsibility for their representatives and put an end to this violence. #Inxeba pic.twitter.com/FsgTyLUiRz
— Inxeba (The Wound) (@TheWound_SAfilm) February 2, 2018
The situation started a conversation on Twitter.
The acting on @TheWound_SAfilm is great and all the actors show up. @Niza_Jay you were brilliant and hilarious as Kwanda 🤣👊🏾🙌🏾💛 #Inxeba #InxebaTheWound pic.twitter.com/BhumIDayTx
— Miss Lelo (@MsLeloB) February 2, 2018
You’re busy defending and promoting homophobia under the guise of protecting traditional Xhosa custom. #Inxeba pic.twitter.com/eWRyaMpCOS
— #SinuousLinesDesign (@Sentletse) February 2, 2018
My view on #Inxeba outrage: if you are more pressed with a storyline that seeks not to break the seal of secrecy around initiation but centre the voices of silenced gay community in hyper masculine spaces – then your issues lies not with the movie itself but the gay community.
— Nande N (@nandnz) February 2, 2018
I don't don't have to be homosexual to defend this movie, I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper. By virtue of being human, I'm compelled to defend humanity looking beyond gender, race and things alike.#Inxeba #InxebaTheWound #InxebaWillRise
— Vusi Gumbi 🇿🇦 (@VusiHGumbi) February 3, 2018
Culture is fluid. It is ever evolving. Or it should be. Else it becomes outdated and fades into obscurity. Or it becomes oppressive, as we are seeing now.
— Firebrand (@simphiwedana) February 3, 2018
Actors, directors, producers need to come out in support of #Inxeba harder. Tomorrow it WILL be you. You can't allow this nonsense. Speak out. Stage protests too if you must. Story telling is a right. We can't be fighting alone.
— Sixo (@SixoGcilishe) February 2, 2018
I hope that those who protest the screening of #Inxeba display the same energy and vigor in protesting the death of initiates who die on this oversold path to “manhood”
— Bra Nape (@Nape_MM) February 2, 2018
The Wound (Inxeba) has also won 19 awards at 44 festivals in more than 25 countries worldwide, including South Africa.
