Inxeba X18 rating temporarily lifted
Inxeba filmmakers appeal against the X18 rating placed on their film was heard today. In the case, the Pretoria High Court temporarily lifted the rating that had been given to them by the Film and Publication Board.
Initially, Inxeba had a rating of 16LS that was quickly revised after complaints from the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) and the Man & Boy Foundation.
The X18 rating it got put it in the hard porn category. Inxeba could therefore only be shown at designated adult premises.
Ruling
In the court proceedings, the X was dropped from the X18 ruling. It thus allows the film to be shown in cinemas, but with an 18SNL rating.
Members of cultural organisations, however, on Tuesday vowed to fight the age restriction when the parties come back to court at the end of this month. They are maintaining that the film should be barred from public viewing.
Nkululeko Nxesi, of the Man and Boy Foundation, said outside court that they regarded the film as offensive and disrespectful. He said it is vulgar, it misrepresents traditional initiation and it incited rape and violence.
“The ban has been lifted for now, but the war is far from over,” he said.
Inxeba’s director, John Trengove stated that the film will be back in cinemas come this Friday.
