The Nu Metro Cinema at Hemingways Casino in East London and Walmer Park in Port Elizabeth have decided to postpone the screening of the internationally acclaimed film, Inxeba-The Wound.
Hemingways Casino said in a brief statement they would re-evaluate the feasibility of the screening of the film at a later stage, after consulting with all stakeholders. Nu Metro in Port Elizabeth followed suit soon after, simply stating that the movie has been suspended and no longer screened at Walmer Park.
Nu Metro told fans on their Twitter account that extra security measures have been put in place at their cinemas for today's nationwide release.
The movie, which has won 19 international awards, deals with a Xhosa man's right to passage as he goes into the bush to be circumcised.
The film and publication Board, who rated the film 16, received several complaints from organizations who claim the film is culturally insensitive and distorts the Xhosa culture, demanding the rating to be increased to 18.
Inxeba was shortlisted this year for the 2018 Academy Awards, in the Best Foreign Film Category and on Friday morning received eight SAFTA nomination including Best Film, Best Director, Best Scriptwriting, Best Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Actor and two nominations in the Best Supporting Actor Category.
The producer of the film Cait Pansegrouw told Algoa FM News that they were extremely disappointed in the way some South Africans have reacted to the film.
She says due to the film's controversial theme it took them four years to get the necessary funding to go ahead.
Pansegrouw says the film was eventually financed by four different countries including South Africa, France, the Netherlands and Germany.
