KNYSNA NEWS - The controversial SA movie Inxeba that scooped international awards in the past year, was screened at Vinyl on Thursday 24 May during the Pink Loerie festival.

The movie created an uproar in black communities, especially in the Eastern Cape, which led to it being banned at several cinemas. Most say the movie is a misrepresentation of what happens at the mountain when boys go to initiation school and, most importantly, it reveals sacred information about what happens during this time.

With most residents including politicians not being aware of the event, Knysna-Plett Herald spoke to some of these locals before the screening.

When approached for comment, Gay FM manager and publicist for the Pink Loerie, Hendrik Baird, said they saw it fitting to screen the movie during the festival "it's an important story".

Ayanda Ntwasa: "Any man who has been to the mountain will understand that the tradition is sacred – not even our mothers know what happens in the mountain. Because of this movie what was once sacred is at the heart of controversy. Not only was the movie banned in the Eastern Cape but now screening it here and during the festival somewhat insinuates that there is a link between the custom and the festival, which is in very bad taste."

Msongezi Siyazi: "If we were led by a government that takes into account its citizen traditions the movie wouldn't be playing, but because we are living in this town that cares very little about black people we are bound to be faced with such." Photos: Nwabisa Pondoyi

Keen to watch the movie was David Spearman from Durban who was visiting during the festival. He said, "I think the movie is very interesting and will be an eye-opener because it covers facets of people, what they do and their acceptance. I'm looking forward to witnessing what actually happens out there in the mountains."

Zola Zondani who is a caregiver to initiates says having the movie screened in town and having it linked with the festival is a disgrace to the custom that was once sacred. "If there was a way for me to stop it from screening then I'd stop it without thinking twice. We as the black people are in trouble under DA leadership."

"We wanted to expose our local culture to the internationals that were visiting. There's a lot of controversy around it and that is part of the reason why we thought it would be best to show the issues that happen in that cultural area."

During the first hour when Knysna-Plett Herald was there, no more than 10 people were watching the movie.

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