This year, “Moonlight” has been rightly celebrated not just for its stirring drama, but also for presenting a view of black masculinity and sexuality that is both progressive and rarely seen on the big screen. Also hoping to provide another new look into the black, queer experience is “The Wound,” and today we have an exclusive clip from the movie which is gearing up to make its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Directed by John Trengrove, and starring Nakhane Touré, Bongile Mantsai, and Niza Jay Ncoyini, the story follows Xolani, who helps to usher teenagers through a traditional Xhola ritual into manhood, only for a secret to surface that could change everything. Here’s the official synopsis:
Lonely, young factory worker Xolani travels to a remote mountain camp to tend teenage boys going through a traditional Xhola rite of passage. This year, Xolani is assigned to mentor Kwanda, a coddled Joburg boy who challenges the customs of the camp and is ostracized from other initiates. Kwanda, observant as he is insolent, quickly notices the attraction between Xolani and his fellow caregiver, volatile Vija. Xolani must choose between his passionate love for his childhood friend and heeding Kwanda’s exhortations to abandon his oppressive life and face an uncertain future.
“The Wound” will have its first screening at Sundance on January 22nd at 8:30 PM at Prospector Square Theater. It will also play next month at the Berlin Film Festival.
Click here for our complete coverage from the 2017 Sundance Film Festival