South African movie fanatics are waiting with bated breath to find out whether the controversial circumcision film Inxeba (The Wound) will crack the nod in the Best Foreign Language Film of the Oscars, representing South Africa.
The announcement is due to be made today in Los Angeles, which would be the icing on the cake, given that the film has won 19 awards across various film festivals.
The film is an intense journey into the life of Xolani, a lonely factory worker played by musician Nakhane Touré, who joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood.
When a defiant initiate from the city discovers Xolani’s best-kept secret, a closeted love affair, his entire existence begins to unravel.
Criticisms of the film have been levelled at the portrayal of the isiXhosa initiation rite for young men. Traditionally, the initiation rite is kept secret from everyone except those directly involved in it.
Inxeba is set mostly at an initiation school. It also features a gay love affair between Xolani and Vija (Bongiwe Mantsai), another caregiver.
However, film-makers have repeatedly rubbished claims that their film disrespects the sacred cultural rite, saying that the it rather aims to start difficult but important conversations.
undefined“It is upsetting to us, the film team, as much care was taken to craft a sensitive narrative which, while it provokes important conversations, also respects the secrecy of the depicted ritual,” said Elias Ribeiro, producer of Inxeba.
“In researching and developing Inxeba, we drew on the talents of our respected Xhosa collaborators, including co-writers Thando Mgqolozana and Malusi Bengu, and principal actors Nakhane, Niza Jay and Mantsai.
"In addition, all actors who appear on screen are native Xhosa speakers with first-hand experience of the initiation ritual. At every turn, we made sure the authenticity of what we were depicting was respected.”
The critically-acclaimed film has won awards such as the International Federation of Film Critics prize for best actor in a foreign language film at the 29th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival in California for Nakhane’s role as Xolani, Best Film Award in the International New Talent Competition at the Taipei Film Festival, and the Audience Award for Best Feature at the Sydney Film Festival.
Speaking to The Star, producers Ribeiro and Cait Pansegrouw added that they were happy with the film’s performance to date.
“The response from across the globe has been exceptional.
"We are extremely excited about the future of this film and what it signals for the South African industry. Most of all, we are thrilled to be able to share it with audiences at home from next month,” they said.
On the importance of the film tackling the content it does, the producers said: “Films such as this cannot hope to provide solutions for the crisis faced by millions of queer people on the African continent and around the world.
"What it can do, however, is present the crisis for what it is - a deep and ever-widening chasm.”
* Inxeba will be released nationwide on February 2.