Die Wunde

I did not know what to expect from this, but what I got really impressed me. THE cultural context in which the film is told is definitely a unique one, and the questions it poses and addresses regarding manhood, sexuality, and the process of maturity all bring to life vivid details and portrayals of the lives of these individuals. The performances are in particular strong, and the cinematography simply stunning. This is a highly recommended film that has significance in the way many films of this genre have, like last year's Moonlight.

Tackling head-on the cultural taboos of sexuality during a very traditional coming of age ritual in South Africa and hopefully going some way to educate and inform those who still live in the past and have yet to evolve from those traditions and beliefs.

A South African film was on show for the opening night of the Berlinale. Directed by John Trengove, it's the story of Xolani, set against the backdrop of a local circumcision initiation ritual. Barely had I settled into my seat, that penises were being sliced up at the edge of a forest, in ad-hoc conditions. So, yeah, it caught my attention.

The whole story though finds itself at an interesting intersection between tradition, homosexuality and validation. For Xolani, who otherwise works in the city, it's the yearly return 'in the mountains', to meet Vija, the man he loves. For Kwanda, Xolani's initiate, it's the pressure to conform with alpha male stereotypes. For most of the other participants, it's a last stand in the face of modern turpitude, both a rite of passage into manhood and a rite of separation from the others.

The first half or so of the movie, which sets the scene and introduces the characters, is almost fascinating. With strong acting all around, it's easy to get sucked into the experience and what's even more impressive, is the manner in which Trengove infuses such sensibility in something that otherwise could count as butch. The contrasting personalities are wrought with tension, culminating in some beautiful moments of just…being. It all comes to life thanks to commanding craftsmanship and an eye for strong visuals, which is one consistent feature throughout.

Unfortunately, the latter part of the film elects to go for a more traditional exposition and resolution, with uneven pacing. What's worse though is the characters losing some of their sharpness, especially in scenes where they are turned into mere rhetoric tools. By the time the finale came around, I felt waywardly uninvolved. It's like the need for relevance and clarity became overbearing.

All things considered, The Wound stands as a film that, at its best, conveys a unique poetic restraint. It might not shine all the way through, yet it provides insight into a corner of the world that's usually left in the dark, tackling some big themes on the way. I would never want to fault someone for being too ambitious, so The Wound gets my recommendation.

At the first glance The Wound looks like a movie about the Xhosa tradition concerning initiating boys into manhood: they go into the mountains to experience genital cutting. And while it is and interesting look into this custom which I knew very little about and which I found both fascinating and deeply disturbing. it is also much more.

The movie touches on a number of important issues. We see a taboo homosexual relationship in a deeply homophobic environment and the way that gay people deal with living in such a culture. We see the conflict between the old ways represented by people insisting on carrying on the traditional initiation and the new ways of city life and assimilation into white culture. We see a story about growing up and becoming a man, even if the notion of manhood isn't understood in a traditional way.

The story is carried mostly visually as there isn't a lot of dialogue in the movie. In my opinion, this fits the story perfectly, as men traditionally aren't meant to talk about their feelings. It also means that the actors must convey the character's emotions through facial expressions and gestures, and they do a really good job, creating completely believable character.

All in all, I would say that The Wound is a solid piece of filmmaking, touching important contemporary problems. It may be too slow for some, but for me the pacing and the limited amount of dialogue are perfect of such a story.

Ah, "The Wound"! This gem from 2017 is the kind of movie that sneaks up on you like a ninja in fluffy slippers. Let's be real, I expected a standard drama, but boy, was I in for a surprise! It's like going for a handshake and getting a hug from a cactus - weirdly pleasant in a prickly sort of way.

Set against the backdrop of South Africa's Xhosa culture, this film is as subtle as a sledgehammer in a library. It's all about male circumcision - yikes, right? But hold your horses, it's not a medical documentary. It's a stirring tale of love, masculinity, and cultural clashes that makes you question your own life choices.

The performances are so raw, you could serve them on a platter at a sushi restaurant. Nakhane Touré, as the lead, brings more layers to his character than an onion wearing a winter coat. And the cinematography? Stunning. It's like the camera is flirting with the landscape. If this movie were a person, it would be that mysterious, brooding poet at the party who knows way too much about bird calls. In short, "The Wound" is a beautifully crafted, emotionally gripping film that deserves all the stars, minus half for making me feel emotions I didn't know I had. Bravo!