Protest action by cultural activists has seen several cinemas forced to cancel screenings of ‘Inxeba’ (The Wound), a film which has been screened across the continent and around the world to widespread critical acclaim. To date, it has won 19 awards at 44 festivals in more than 25 countries worldwide including South Africa. On the 2nd of February, it was announced that the film has been nominated for 8 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAS).
In an interview on ANN7 last night Man and Boy Foundation executive director Nkululeko Nxesi said “99% of the South Africa population are against this movie”. This was contradicted based on the number of cinema attendances on opening Friday 2 February. ‘Inxeba’ was the best performing film at 7 of the sites where it is currently playing for the day.
Indigenous Film Distribution, the company releasing the film in South Africa, has pointed out that this statement is blatantly untrue. “Ahead of its opening weekend, pre-screenings were held around the country, and 85% of people who attended gave it the thumbs up,” says managing director Helen Kuun. “It was also the number one film at seven of the venues where it screened on Friday.”
Since July 2017, the film has been screened at venues around the country to encourage discussion and dialogue between the filmmakers and various audiences. “We took the film into several spaces across the country, particularly those that do not have access to cinemas in their communities and made absolutely sure to do this in the Eastern Cape above all.” stated producer Cait Pansegrouw. “There was no focus on specific sectors of the population, as stated by the Man and Boy Foundation representative on ANN7 yesterday. All screenings were open to anyone who RSVP’d to attend.” she continued. “Inxeba also showed at South African film festivals last year, 2 in Kwa-Zulu Natal and 1 in the Western Cape. Again, these screenings were open to members of the public. To imply that we purposely excluded certain people or organisations from seeing the film is just not true.”
“’Inxeba’ is not the first piece of work to speak about initiation and I’m certain it won’t be the last,” Trengove said. “It’s a complete fallacy to say that the film exposes anything that is not already known. I must state categorically that we did a tremendous amount of research, working with Xhosa men who have been through initiation, in writing and developing this film.‘
“Nobody is forced to see ‘Inxeba’. But South Africans have every right to watch and engage with it.” added producer Elias Ribeiro. “Protestors at several cinemas warned staff that they would follow them home and kill them if the screening of the film went ahead. This is not acceptable in a democratic society.”
The filmmakers have submitted a compliant to the Human Rights Commission, following Friday’s protests.
The Film and Publications Board (FPB) has rated the movie 16, advising that it contains scenes with strong Language, Sex, and Nudity (16 LSN). The FBB has advised that despite complaints that have been received based on perceived cultural insensitivity, restricting the launch of the film would be a direct contravention to Section 16 of the South African Constitution as well as the provisions of the Films and Publication Act No.96 of 1996 as amended.
“Inxeba is not going to go away and we are invested in making sure that people who do want to see the film will get to do so.” said Trengove.
‘Inxeba’ is currently screening at selected cinemas around the country.
