The read
Critics rate it 12 points higher than audiences do. It runs a compact 1h 28m.
Synopsis
Eastern Cape, South Africa. A lonely factory worker, Xolani, takes time off his job to assist during an annual Xhosa circumcision initiation into manhood. In a remote mountain camp that is off limits to women, young men, painted in white ochre, recuperate as they learn the masculine codes of their culture. In this environment of machismo and aggression, Xolani cares for a defiant initiate from Johannesburg, Kwanda, who quickly learns Xolani's best kept secret, that he is in love with another man.
Ratings
IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes91%
Metacritic80/100
Critics rate it 12 points higher than audiences do.
65 audience votes
Key crew
- John TrengoveDirector
- John TrengoveWriter
- Malusi BenguWriter
- Thando MgqolozanaWriter
Cast
- NakhaneXolani
- Bongile MantsaiVija
- Niza Jay NcoyiniKwanda
- Thobani MseleniBabalo
- Gabriel MiniKhwalo
- Zwelakhe MtsakaElder 1
- Menzeleli MajolaElder 2
- Gamelihle BovanaSicelo
- Halalisani Bradley CebekhuluLukas
- Inga QwedeNcedo
- Sibabalwe NgqayanaZuko
- Siphosethu NgcetaneNkosi
Stills
Themes
homophobiacircumcisionsouth africaxhosain the closetinitiationlgbtrite of passagemasculinitybannedafrican customscircumcision ritual