Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Inxeba reclassified to X18, banned from mainstream cinemas

15/02/2018

15 February, 2018 - 08:07

The Film & Publication Board has reclassified the award winning controversial film Inxeba (The Wound) to a rating of X18. In a statement released through a series of tweets, the FPBs official account stated that the Appeals Tribunal of the board had decided to overturn the original rating given to the film of 16 LS, to X18. By Masgo Panyane

The statement further said the reasons explaining why the rating had been overturned, would be made available at a later stage.

The appeals process was started by a complaint that was lodged with the board by CONTRALESA (Congress of Traditional Leaders) who complained that the film is culturally insensitive and distorts the Xhosa tradition of circumcision, (ulwaluko) .

The appeal was brought on by Contralesa Gauteng as well as The Men and Boy Foundation.

The FPB said the X18 rating means that the film can only be distributed from designated adult premises. This means the film cannot be screened in cinemas or any other platform that is not a designated adult premise as defined by the Film and Publications Act no 96 of 1996 as amended

Commentary from the filmmakers was not immediately available.

Meanwhile Democratic Alliance MP and shadow minister of communications Phumzile Van Damme, has said in a statement that the Tribunals decision to reclassify the film, is censorship.

The DA strongly condemns the Film and Publication Board (FPB) Appeal Tribunal's decision re-classify the film Inxeba to a rating of X18.

X18 is one of the most severe ratings a film or publication can receive, one step away from an outright ban. We encourage the producers of Inxeba to fight, fight, fight, all the way to the highest court in the land by urgently taking this decision on review.

Touchvision enables creative professionals to achieve stellar growth

Request a trial, book a demo or call us for a chat

Get New Film Business in 2018

Select your Membership

It is a shame that the FPB's Appeal Tribunal buckled to pressure from patriarchs and homophobes, instead of siding with the Constitution, the supreme law of the land, the statement read.

The film has, since its Oscar qualifying run last year been subject to intense scrutiny over the perceived insult that it is to the circumcision tradition. Often shrouded in secrecy, the tradition is not usually spoken about. There were also complains about the sexual scenes and homosexual love storyline of the film, with many calling for the films banning.

After protests in cinemas resulted in cancellations of the movie screening in Eastern Cape cinemas, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) received a complaint about them last Wednesday.

Spokesperson Gail Smith, in a statement last week, condemned violent protests and threats made in relation to the screening of the movie. She said the commission was monitoring reports of intimidation, threats of violence and death threats made in relation to the screening of the movie.

Inxeba tells the story of Xolani, a lonely factory worker, who joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. When a defiant initiate from the city discovers his best kept secret, Xolanis entire existence begins to unravel.

The film claimed eight South African Film and Television Awards (Safta) nominations, including Best Actor, Best Directing and Best Film.

It has also won 19 awards at 44 festivals in more than 25 countries, including South Africa. The film was shortlisted for this years Academy Awards in the category of Best Foreign Language Film. However, it did not make onto the final nominations list.

www.io.co.za

Film Distribution

Africa South Africa
LINK: http://www.filmcontact.com/news/south-africa/inxeba-reclassified-x18-b...
See more stories from filmcontact

Africa Stories

19/04/2024

Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 18 April 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 18 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African s...

19/04/2024

Prison Journalism: Tragic story of Jerry's life and crimes

Prison Journalism: Tragic story of Jerry's life and crimesDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the re...

19/04/2024

House of Zwide' Spoiler: Soka dates Mampho and Ona

House of Zwide' Spoiler: Soka dates Mampho and OnaThe House of Zwide' May teasers reveal that Soka will date both Ona and Mampho and get caught. Will h...

19/04/2024

Beer: Seven celebrities talk about their love

Beer: Seven celebrities talk about their loveBeer is one of the world's most popular beverages. We asked several celebrities about their favourite brews or ...

19/04/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Tlhogi cannot believe what she hears from Taps

Tonight on Scandal: Tlhogi cannot believe what she hears from TapsDon't miss Friday, 19 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.t...

18/04/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar almost finds Thandiswa with the bloody wedding dress

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar almost finds Thandiswa with the bloody wedd...

18/04/2024

Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department' set to drop on FRIDAY

Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department' set to drop on FRIDAYTaylor Swift will release her highly anticipated record The Tortured Poets Departme...

18/04/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa puts his plan to eliminate Khwezi in motion

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa puts his plan to eliminate Khwezi in motionDon't miss Thursday, 18 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem ...

18/04/2024

Prison Journalism: April's experiences of black boudoir

Prison Journalism: April's experiences of black boudoirThabo Mthembu was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2014 to 2019. Read Thabo's story by Tha...

18/04/2024

Prison Journalism: Can gangsterism and violence be reduced in prison?

Prison Journalism: Can gangsterism and violence be reduced in prison?Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor C...

18/04/2024

Software-making music: How DJs are doing it

Software making music: How DJs are doing itSoftware plays a big part in music production, recording, and performances. Here's what DJs are using, and how yo...

18/04/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele later blindsides an unwitting Faith into meeting with Zola

Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele later blindsides an unwitting Faith into meeti...

18/04/2024

Debut author stuns with international bestselling thriller Anna O'

Debut author stuns with international bestselling thriller Anna O'Matthew Blake burst onto the book scene with his bestseller Anna O', a deliciously d...

18/04/2024

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 17 April 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 17 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African ...

18/04/2024

Watch: Trailers for the best Afrikaans movies ever made

Watch: Trailers for the best Afrikaans movies ever madeDon't know what to watch? Here are some of the best Afrikaans movie trailers ever made, including Too...

17/04/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Dintle reels in the line but it seems she's the only one dangling

Tonight on Scandal: Dintle reels in the line but it seems she's the only one...

17/04/2024

Trailer debate: What's the BEST South African movie?

Trailer debate: What's the BEST South African movie?The trailer debate is on! We'd like to spark the debate What's your favourite South African mov...

17/04/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lewatle and Pax are punished for their misdeeds

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lewatle and Pax are punished for their misdeedsDon't miss Wednesday, 17 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Sa...

17/04/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac tells Funani he has no leads on Nkosi's hijackers yet

Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac tells Funani he has no leads on Nkosi's hij...

17/04/2024

Ster-Kinekor to cut 236 jobs, close THESE nine cinemas in South Africa

Ster-Kinekor to cut 236 jobs, close THESE nine cinemas in South AfricaSter-Kinekor has announced plans to lay off almost a third of its 728 employees and close ...

17/04/2024

Disney and National Geographic celebrate Earth Month

Disney and National Geographic celebrate Earth MonthDisney's storytelling prowess merged with National Geographic's legacy of exploration to celebrate E...

17/04/2024

Prison Journalism: How have you changed as a person while in prison?

Prison Journalism: How have you changed as a person while in prison?Jeffrey Shockley is a writer serving a life sentence in the State Correctional Institution-F...

17/04/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa is determined to solve Dikeledi's sudden disappearance mystery

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa is determined to solve Dikeledi's su...

17/04/2024

Smoke and Mirrors: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [VIDEO]

Smoke and Mirrors: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afri...

17/04/2024

Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...

17/04/2024

Scandal!: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [video]

Scandal!: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websi...

17/04/2024

Sibongile and The Dlaminis' gains first position on DStv

Sibongile and The Dlaminis' gains first position on DStvRhythm World's popular telenovela Sibongile and The Dlaminis' is the most-watched TV show o...

17/04/2024

House of Zwide: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [VIDEO]

House of Zwide: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African ...

16/04/2024

Call for the 18th Annual South African Film and Television Awards Jury has been extended

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

16/04/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele feels Sandile's not a true friend anyway if he's not happy with her

Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele feels Sandile's not a true friend anyway i...

16/04/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Evelyn learns about the full scale of her son's troubles

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Evelyn learns about the full scale of her son's troub...

16/04/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar and Jaxon finally receive the moment they have longed for

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar and Jaxon finally receive the moment they h...

16/04/2024

Smoke and Mirrors: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [VIDEO]

Smoke and Mirrors: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afric...

16/04/2024

Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...

16/04/2024

Historic: House of Zwide' is the most-watched TV show on e.tv

Historic: House of Zwide' is the most-watched TV show on e.tvE.tv's fashion telenovela House of Zwide' beat Scandal!' for the first time sinc...

16/04/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Jojo's doing his best to make amends, but Phakamile worries about their future

Tonight on Scandal: Jojo's doing his best to make amends, but Phakamile worr...

15/04/2024

Scandal!: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [video]

Scandal!: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...

15/04/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac asks Bra Zakes for help with any information he might come across, regarding Nkosi's hijacking

Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac asks Bra Zakes for help with any information he...

15/04/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Phomolo threatens Pretty in an attempt to save Lehasa

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Phomolo threatens Pretty in an attempt to save LehasaDon't miss Monday, 15 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem...

15/04/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Dintle turns to an old friend to assist with her mission

Tonight on Scandal: Dintle turns to an old friend to assist with her missionDon't miss Monday, 15 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scand...

15/04/2024

Christianity: Four people who claimed to be Jesus

Christianity: Four people who claimed to be JesusChristianity is one of the world's dominant religions, with more than 80% of South Africans following this ...

15/04/2024

House of Zwide: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [VIDEO]

House of Zwide: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African w...

15/04/2024

Die Antwoord's collaborators: what they're doing now

Die Antwoord's collaborators: What they're doing nowDie Antwoord is a controversial hip-hop group founded in 2008. As a duo, they've also collaborat...

15/04/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa hides her turmoil and goes through with marrying Caesar

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa hides her turmoil and goes through with ...

14/04/2024

Afrikaans television shows make a comeback

Afrikaans television shows make a comebackClassic Afrikaans television shows are making a comeback, according to the streaming service AfriForumTV. Here's w...

12/04/2024

Scandal!: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]

Scandal!: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...

12/04/2024

Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...

12/04/2024

House of Zwide: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [VIDEO]

House of Zwide: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African w...

12/04/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Sandile changes his mind about telling Faith that Zanele is still seeing Zola

Tonight on House of Zwide: Sandile changes his mind about telling Faith that Zan...