The Wound poster

The Wound

6.3(65)20171h 28m2

Eastern Cape, South Africa. A lonely factory worker, Xolani, takes time off his job to assist during an annual Xhosa circumcision initiation into manhood. In a remote mountain camp that is off limits to women, young men, painted in white ochre, recuperate as they learn the masculine codes of their culture. In this environment of machismo and aggression, Xolani cares for a defiant initiate from Johannesburg, Kwanda, who quickly learns Xolani's best kept secret, that he is in love with another man.

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Status
Released
Budget
—
Box office
$142.7K
Language
Afrikaans
  • homophobia
  • circumcision
  • south africa
  • xhosa
  • in the closet
  • initiation
  • lgbt
  • rite of passage
  • masculinity
  • banned
  • african customs
  • circumcision ritual

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Produced in

South Africa, Germany, France, Netherlands

Gallery

Still from The WoundStill from The WoundStill from The WoundStill from The Wound

Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • PremiereSundance Film Festival22 Jan 2017
  • AustraliaAU

    • Premiere9 Jun 2017
  • BelgiumBE

    • Premiere21 Apr 2017
  • BrazilBR

    • PremiereIndie - World Film Festival15 Sept 2017
    • PremiereFestival Mix Brasil19 Nov 2017
    • Theatrical1618 Jan 2018
  • FranceFR

    • Premiere8 Mar 2017
    • Theatrical19 Apr 2017
  • GermanyDE

    • Premiere9 Feb 2017
  • IrelandIE

    • Digital / OTT1527 Apr 2018
  • IsraelIL

    • TV26 Jun 2018
  • ItalyIT

    • Premiere18 Jun 2017
  • PolandPL

    • Premiere29 Apr 2017
  • South AfricaZA

    • Premiere16LS14 Jul 2017
    • Theatrical18XReclassified14 Feb 2018
  • SpainES

    • Premiere23 Jun 2017

Frequently asked questions

The Wound was released on 19 April 2017.

Audience reviews

1
  • C

    CinemaSerf

    8/12/2024

    7/10

    "Xolani" or just "X" (Nakhane) left his Xhosa tribe to find work in the city, but has now returned as a "caregiver" to help the young men prepare for their impending initiation into manhood. This essentially involves being covered in a white paint and preparing for a circumcision that was as likely to lead to terminal infection as to anything else. He reunites with his married friend "Vija" (Bongile Mantsai) and we q…

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