Rent The Wound (2017)
3.3 of 5 from 139 ratings
1h 28min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Every year, the tribe's young men are brought to the mountains of the Eastern Cape to participate in an ancient coming-of-age ritual. Xolani, a quiet and sensitive factory worker (Nakhane Toure), is assigned to guide Kwanda (Niza Jay), a city boy from Johannesburg sent by his father to be toughened up, through this rite of passage into manhood. As Kwanda defiantly negotiates his queer identity within this masculine environment, he quickly recognises the nature of Xolani's relationship with fellow guide Vija (Bongile Mantsai). The three men commence a dangerous dance with each other and their own desires and, soon, the threat of exposure elevates the tension to breaking point.
- Actors:
- Nakhane Touré, Bongile Mantsai, Niza Jay, Thobani Mseleni, Gabriel Mini, Zwelakhe Mtsaka, Menzeleli Majola, Gamelihle Bovana, Halalisani Bradley Cebekhulu, Inga Qwede, Sibabalwe Ngqayana, Siphosethu Ngcetane, Luyanda L. Vonqo, Thando Mhlontlo, Anga Ntsepe, Hellman Hlomuka, Loyiso 'Lloyd' Ngqayana, Zimi Banisi, Luxolo Ngqunge, Refiloe Ramatlapeng
- Directors:
- John Trengove
- Producers:
- Cait Pansegrouw, Elias Ribeiro
- Writers:
- John Trengove, Thando Mgqolozana, Malusi Bengu, Batana Vundla
- Aka:
- Inxeba
- Studio:
- Saffron Hill Films
- Genres:
- Drama, Lesbian & Gay, Romance
- Collections:
- A World of Difference: A History of Gay Cinema, Drama Films & TV
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Reviews (3) of The Wound
Wonderful film - the best African movie I have ever seen. A must-see! - The Wound review by PV
This is a truly great and ground-breaking film, and should by rights have won the best Foreign Film Oscar.
It's a fascinating story of the Xhosa initiation ceremony for young men in South Africa. But it is SO much more than that.
Yes, it's about homosexuality, but it's really about friendship, loyalty, betrayal, conformity and nonconformism, and what fear makes us do. It is about what it is to be a man.
A brilliant film which I was thinking about long after watching it - and you cannot say that for many movies!
5 stars. The best foreign film I have watched this year.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Rite of Passage - The Wound review by KW
Interesting film covering an initiation ceremony in South Africa and the interaction of two of the leaders looking after those be initiated and one of the young men to be initiated. Clashes of personality did not help and whilst watchable I could find no empathy for any of the lead characters. Social anthropology students may find this film fascinating!
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
Not quite four stars! - The Wound review by TB
I liked this film because of its controversial storyline in which three gay men of different ages we’re struggling with their sexuality for three very different reasons. All of this was also going on during an initiation period in South Africa and in a time/country when men should be men and homosexuality was scorned upon. I liked the cinematography but this just fell short of a four star rating because even though you could understand what each character was going through, the depth of feelings were not portrayed enough to drag you in emotional; not even with the somewhat shocking ending.
Certainly a watchable film though.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.