Release of movie about Xhosa initiation blocked
Screenings of the film – which deals with the traditional ritual of ukwaluka and transition into manhood, as well as issues of sexual orientation and a gay love story – were subsequently cancelled at the Walmer Park Shopping Centre and Baywest and Hemingways Malls.
The movie – which has already been widely viewed at pre-screenings – has been nominated for eight SA Film and Television Awards and has already won 19 awards at 44 festivals worldwide. It was also short-listed for this year’s Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
A group of up to 50 protesters, including young men in EFF shirts, first showed up at Walmer Park, where they were greeted by cinema manager Mark Whitnall. Extra security and police officials were also present.
Although a NuMetro employee described the encounter as chaotic, saying protesters had been carrying knobkerries, Whitnall said it had been civil.
“We were going to postpone the screening, but I advised our head office to cancel it completely,” he said.
He said the cinema had received more than 30 calls from interested moviegoers ahead of the release and that at least 20 pre-booked tickets had had to be refunded.
“It’s amazing how many people want to see it.”
A group opposed to the screening of at the in Walmer Park Port Elizabeth. 📷
— HeraldLIVE (@HeraldPE)
The same group of protesters also visited the Ster-Kinekor complex in Baywest a short while later, where they met with cinema manager Mlu Sompondo.
“Before they came here, we had the whole day’s shows cancelled. The company understands the sensitivity [of the content],” Sompondo said.
He said the cinema had hosted a pre-screening of Inxeba two weeks earlier and “no drama whatsoever” had occurred.
Ster-Kinekor in Baywest Mall has joined two other EC cinemas in postponing the screening of . Read more here:
— HeraldLIVE (@HeraldPE)
A disappointed movie-goer was looking forward to watching - . Screenings at two EC malls were postponed on Friday. Read more:
— HeraldLIVE (@HeraldPE)
Bay resident Theo Klaas – who is openly gay and underwent traditional initiation – staunchly defended the film. “I actually thought the film was a great idea and the more explicit on the details, the better.
“It is a complex issue. I agree that we need to preserve the custom [of initiation] but it can’t be [at the cost] of human life.”
Klaas said given the high mortalities recorded at Eastern Cape initiation schools each year, the province was ready for the conversation that the film would have started.
“We can’t shy away from [the real issues] and the issue is not the movie. [The process of raising awareness] should involve everyone. Single mothers need to know what their boys go through, and some nurses and doctors at these schools are women.”
About the theme of homosexuality, Klaas said: “These are the realities. The boys are at a very experimental age.”
Hemingways general manager John McGregor said 24 tickets had been sold for the screening and patrons would be refunded.
