The Wound, a film by John Trengrove, is making waves both internationally and locally. The film, shot entirely in South Africa, will have its world premiere in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
The Sundance Film Festival has introduced audiences to some of the most influential works in the past three decades and has become a significant mark on the industry’s festival calendar. Fitting then that a fearless South African film, with an entirely male, Xhosa cast would make its international debut at the festival.
The Wound is an example of the vast potential of co-productions, with South Africa, Germany, The Netherlands and France all having a hand in this film. The film, co-written by Johan Trengove, Thando Mgqolozana and Malusi Bengu, grapples with the traditional ideals of masculinity and is bought to life by musician and novelist, Nakhane Toure. It is astounding to think that this is both Toure’s debut on screen and Trengove’s debut feature film.
Telling the story of Xolani, a solitary factory worker, the film uses the initiation process of the teenage men within this Xhosa community as the backdrop for this exploration of South African masculinity. Paired with a resistant initiate, Xolani’s deepest secret is uncovered and threatens to destroy his entire identity as he knows it.
The 2017 Sundance Film Festival is not The Wound‘s first notable achievement with its foundation being solidified in greatness as it was selected by the the International Film Festival Rotterdam’s Hubert Bais Fund. It was then nurtured by the independent production company, Urucu Media. Taking into consideration the controversial reception the story has received from the Xhosa community, the film’s determined backers have ensured that its integrity as a valid South African story has not been tainted by it being labelled as “taboo”.
One cannot underestimate The Wound, as it has proven itself as an iconic step for the local industry and proposes an exciting frontier to which South African stories can spread.
Find more information about The Wound at http://www.urucumedia.com/the-wound
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