Nakhane Touré’s gay themed film premières at Sundance. Watch the trailer!
Nakhane Touré, the acclaimed openly gay singer-songwriter and author, can now add the role of actor to his impressive resume.
He stars in the highly anticipated and likely controversial South African film The Wound, which has its global première at America’s Sundance Film Festival this weekend.
The Wound tells the story of Xolani (played by Touré), a lonely closeted Xhosa 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, Xolani’s entire existence begins to unravel.
The film, Touré’s first, explores the role of culture, masculinity and homophobia within the context of contemporary South Africa.
The Wound was co-written by John Trengove (who also directed), Thando Mgqolozana and Malusi Bengu and is produced by Urucu Media.
Nakhane, who studied acting, left this week to attend the Sundance screening. “I won’t really know how I feel until I get to the festival‚ but there is a great anticipation and some nerves. Most of all‚ I am excited about the film. I have seen some of the versions of it (the film) but haven’t yet seen the final edit‚” Nakhane told Sowetan.
“John Trengove originally wanted me to write the music for the film but as we started talking and sharing our life stories he asked me if I would be willing to audition… So‚ I prepared for the audition and later got the part‚’ Nakhane said.
After Sundance, the film will next screen at the Berlin Film Festival. It is set to have its South African première at the Durban International Film Festival in June.
Touré took the local music world by storm with his debut album Brave Confusion and its accompanying homoerotic music videos. He went on to win Best Alternative Album at the 2014 South African Music Awards (Samas).
Last year, the Johannesburg based artist released a novel, Piggy Boy’s Blues, to wide critical praise.
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