Original subtitles

- Thanks, gents. - Have a safe trip.

Xolani!

Come here, my boy.

Hey, we hardly see you!

The work keeps me away, you know how it goes.

We know, Khwalo,

we thought Joburg had swallowed you whole.

Don't worry, I'm still alive.

OK, here's Xolani.

Well, young Radebe.

Listen here, I want you to be firm with my son.

The boy's too soft.

If you ask me, it's his mother who spoiled him.

She didn't want him to come here.

She wanted him to go to the hospital.

Lately he's been bringing home these friends.

Locking themselves in his room.

Something's not right with these rich boys from Joburg.

Let's do this.

Don't worry, uncle.

To the Khwalo family, to the Ngubengcuka family.

Praise be to the gods of Bhungane.

You give us maize and sorghum.

Here are our children.

We're about to take them in.

Let us be humble, respect each other and our customs,

so that all goes well.

I'm handing over to you, son.

Wash them to protect them from bad spirits. Amen.

Let's go.

Blankets off, men.

Drop them. On the ground.

Caregivers, join your initiates.

Caregivers, let's go. Let's go.

Here comes the surgeon.

Step back, gentlemen!

Don't look. Avert your eyes.

Spread!

Don't look, men.

- Repeat: I'm a man! - I'm a man!

Let me have a look, son.

You're a man, my boy.

Spread!

Step aside, gentlemen.

- Repeat: I'm a man! - I'm a man!

Spread!

- Repeat: I'm a man! - I'm a man!

Have a look, men.

Looks good. Take a closer look.

- I'm a man! - I'm a man!

A thing of beauty, men. Come see!

Spread! Spread!

Don't look, son.

- I'm a man! - I'm a man!

Do this.

Am I even touching you?

Jesus.

You know what to call me?

Or have they not told you?

- Initiate? - Caregiver.

That's right.

You were assigned to me.

I'm Xolani Radebe.

Your family knows me.

Our fathers were close.

A lot of city boys don't come to the mountain anymore.

Cowards.

Don't know what it means to be a man.

It's good that you came, initiate.

Almost done, almost done!

I'll leave it like this!

Want to do it yourself?

So?

There we go.

This is the first witness to your manhood.

Hold on.

Listen, initiate.

You'll stay in this hut for eight days.

No drinking water. No sleeping.

All questions come to me.

When you go home, you don't speak of what happened here.

Understood, initiate?

Yes.

Yes what? Dog?

Yes, caregiver.

Drag. That's your medicine.

It'll dry you out.

Good. Again.

Drag.

One last time.

How are your goats holding up, caregiver?

You know how it goes.

It's still early days, they like to mess around.

And you, Xolani? How's that skinny city boy?

Don't ask about him!

Those city boys like to chill with their balls out, like they're in a hotel.

Me, I've got five dicks to look at.

The way things are going I'll need a warm vagina soon.

I hear you.

Hey, boys!

- My boy! - My man!

- Babalo, is that you? - Ah, Vija!

It's been ages!

What happened? You look like shit!

Fuck off. No worse than you!

Is that X?

- How are you, X? - Good, you?

Grand.

How's your sister?

Still married, Vija. So are you!

- Come chill with us later! - Of course!

Sure, man.

Come on, initiates.

Hurry up!

Initiates.

Hang on to your dicks. I'll be back soon.

Gentlemen.

How are you, X?

You know. Not too bad.

And at home?

Nothing's changed, Vija.

It's good to see you, my friend.

You too.

I see you brought three initiates this time.

Little shits. All of them.

And you were given Khwalo's son from Joburg.

They trust you with the softies.

Better you than me, boy.

I'd just make them cry.

Boni's given birth.

A girl. It's the third one.

I'm happy for you.

You must be overjoyed.

I should be working extra hard.

I shouldn't even be here this time.

I can help you.

Keep your money, I don't need it.

You still working for that white man at that storeroom?

Still the same.

You should have been promoted by now.

They might transfer me to Queenstown soon.

They need more packers there.

At least I'll be closer to you.

So we can hang out like the old days.

Initiate.

These herbs will sting like a motherfucker.

When it hurts, it means it's working.

When it itches, it's time to change the dressing.

If you don't change it, it rots.

You hear me?

- Or am I talking to myself? - Yes, caregiver.

Is it itchy?

Not too much.

You're lucky. It was bad for me.

How so?

I was kept separate, like you.

But I didn't have a caregiver.

And the other initiates wouldn't help me.

I taught myself how to do the dressing.

A rabid dog got into my hut.

It was just me and the dog in the hut.

And with all the pain I was in...

It's drying, can you see?

It's closing up.

So what brings you back here? What do you get from servicing initiates?

It's not me. Your parents asked for my help.

They trust me to take you to manhood.

Don't you miss your friends?

Or your girlfriend?

Here he is.

They took their time.

I heard you messed up last night.

Boxer, I can see you're not following.

He messed up.

Where are my smokes?

Greetings, caregiver. Are you well?

- How's my son? - He's doing well, sir.

- Is he giving you headaches yet? - No, not yet.

Great. Let me go check in on him.

- We can't hear you! - Ngqash!

- Initiate! - Ngqash!

- I can't hear you! - Ngqash!

Oh, my brothers.

I'm so happy.

I'm so happy.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Look at you, son!

White as a goat!

There's a girl named Asanda in my neighborhood,

right around the corner from me.

She just got back from Cape Town.

When I go back, that's who I'm starting with.

- I hear her mother doesn't take shit. - Well, that's not my problem.

Remember how you were crying, X?

- I remember. - It was horrible.

I couldn't tell if it was X...

or the dog making that noise.

When we got there

it looked like he was tearing his entire hut apart.

Beating the dog with a stick.

And the next thing we know, X killed the dog.

X. You're the man.

We go way back.

We'll always be friends

and that will never change, understand?

Do you have a big house in Joburg, initiate?

With a swimming pool and DStv?

Who do you live with in Joburg?

With my mom.

- What phone you got? - iPhone.

Why not Blackberry?

This rich boy thinks he's better than us.

Look at him!

This must be X's weakling coming over.

Oh yes, it is!

Initiate! Why are you all the way over there?

Come, boy! What's wrong?

What brings you here?

It's just... I was wondering, caregiver,

what happens next? Aren't we done yet?

What do you mean?

I mean, we have to sit here for two more weeks

watching our dicks heal?

- Unbelievable. - Hey, asshole!

You barely have pubic hair. I'll kick your ass if you ask me that shit again!

What's the rush?

Give me your stick!

Leave him, Vija. Kwanda...

Chill, X.

I'm asking you nicely.

Don't make me change my tone.

Unbelievable. He gave it to me!

Are you picking a fight?

Are you going to let me do this?

That's it. Let me see how strong you are, little boy.

You want a piece of me?

He needs a beating!

Fuck off!

Go!

There was a young man by the name of Somagwaza...

who lived around the village of Nganeno...

but who was known to no one.

He terrorized the villagers

who were outraged but helpless.

It was hoped that he would grow up and mature.

When the men got to the hut they saw

that his penis was tightly fastened and the head was bulging.

His eyes were blood red.

His hands looked like he had slaughtered a rabbit.

He lifted his head.

He could barely speak.

He pleaded his case.

This is what he had to do to change his ways.

Stay, stay, stay...

It's good for the wound.

It was like this for all of us.

It's how it's done.

He's your friend?

We trapped birds together when we were little.

Were you initiated at the same time?

And you see each other when you come back here?

Stay away from him, initiate.

I'm not scared of him.

Let's go.

Hey, initiate.

Those are flashy shoes you have.

Wish I had some of my own.

You know you're not supposed to wear them here?

He probably knows a lot of white girls in Joburg.

I can tell he thinks he's white.

Shut up, Zuko, he didn't say that.

Tell us, is it true white girls shave their bush?

Why are you asking him? What would he know about girls?

Initiate...

Let me show you.

You're going to hurt yourself.

Do I smell a bunch of goats?

Yes!

- Look who it is! - My man!

- What's up? - Can't complain and you, bro?

Hey hey hey!

Hey, stop that!

- What's wrong with you guys? - We're just playing.

Trying to give us heart attacks.

Initiates.

Hurry.

It's OK.

- Are you looking for me? - Give my shoes back, you little bitch.

Fuck off!

- What's your problem, dude? - Fuck off, man!

Give them back, you fucking idiot. You asshole.

Idiot.

Fool!

Don't you dare touch me! Leave me alone!

Are you deaf?

Fuck off! Get off of me!

You dog!

Give me my fucking shoes!

- Go get them. - Fuck off.

Fuck off!

Go get them yourself!

Ah, X. Speak of the devil.

You've come for a swim?

You know me. I don't touch the water.

You lost something?

Get up. Let's go.

What for?

No initiate of mine wanders off alone.

I'm not alone.

Kwanda.

Get up!

See you around, initiate.

- Later, Xolani. - Later, Vija.

I warned you.

Did I not say stay away from him? Boy, look at me when I'm talking to you.

Who are you hitting, asshole?

What do you see in him?

- What are you talking about? - Do you think he cares about you?

Do you think he thinks about you?

I can see what you are. But you can't admit it.

You want me to be a man and stand up for myself but you can't do it yourself.

Aren't you tired?

Pretending to be something you're not.

Get out of here. Go on.

Fuck off.

Don't worry, your secret is safe with me.

- What's up, X? - Sure.

Sorry about the initiate.

He snuck out. You know what these city brats are like.

He's giving you trouble?

The boyhood is leaving.

You know how it goes.

You were the same, remember?

No, X.

You're a good man. Thank you.

Sure, Vija.

You know what's funny? You remember?

When we were small... your sister's eyes?

What happened again?

That time.

We left it in the kitchen where she would find it, remember?

She peed herself.

She did! She screamed!

The kid's a faggot isn't he?

So?

I wouldn't get too attached if I were you.

Get out while you can.

My friend.

God bless you.

You never change.

Thank you.

You know why I don't change?

Why do you think I'm here?

Fuck Queenstown.

I was always the clever one at school.

I could have left...

Instead, I work.

I live alone.

Eat alone.

But I always come back here. Why do you think that is?

I come back for you. To help you...

What are you doing? It's yours.

- I don't want it. - Take it.

- You're struggling. - Take it back.

- I want you to have it! - I don't want your money.

Why are you doing this?

- I can't do this! - Why?

Why? What are you afraid of?

Leave me!

We can't do this.

- Why are you afraid? - We can't!

Why?

Brother. Why?

I told you. Leave me alone.

Answer me!

We do this every year.

The same thing.

Aren't you tired?

When will you stop hiding?

Answer.

Answer!

Answer, you coward!

You should know I'm not coming back. We won't see each other next year.

Run, coward. Asshole.

I humble myself in the respectable Xhosa way.

Greetings to you, elders. Greetings to you all.

My name is Sicelo from the house of Bavuma.

I am the eldest of three.

My name is Nkosi.

Not Nkosi Johnson, but from the house of Tolofiya.

I spoke with my father back home

and told him I wanted to come here.

He agreed because

the house of Sikhoma is short of men.

I have added to the number of Radebe men.

The Mthimkhulus, Ndlebentle Zombini, Bhunganes.

Mafu Zafulele, like rivers of rain.

The Mashwabathes, who devour a whole cow and its horns.

I'm very happy. It's good to be a man.

The family must expand.

They will not perish, nor their house become barren,

now that I am the man that you have made me.

With these words I thank you.

You spoke as eloquently as if you were from Langa, Cape Town!

Next one!

Initiate, speak!

Go on.

Stand up, boy!

All the initiates must speak.

Don't want to.

Stand up, boy!

Babalo, what's going on here?

He says he doesn't want to.

Never have I ever...

He's not ready yet, elder.

- He's still learning. - That's nonsense, you hear me?

This boy will stand up and speak like all the other initiates.

He's my initiate and he'll speak when he's ready.

What were we thinking?

The father fucks off to the city,

as if he was banished from here.

Deserting his home and traditions.

As a result, this is what we're faced with today.

It's staring us in the face.

Caregiver, don't forget where you come from.

- Vija. - X.

Initiate.

Come on.

You see, he gave me a Mercedes Benz cut.

All the girls will want some of this.

Yeah, it looks good.

Take a good look, man.

Don't speak too soon. Check this out.

Hey, Kwanda.

Hey.

Open up, it's your turn.

What about the city boy?

Come on, initiate, show us your scar.

Why are you so interested in each others' dicks?

The elder said yours was the best. We want to see.

So what? You all have your own.

We'll show you ours.

You bunch of babies.

Show us, initiate!

What's Zuko's problem?

Fuck that. He's not looking at mine. Have you seen the way he looks at me?

He sleeps with men.

That's why he wants to see our dicks.

Just because your father has money.

What's that got to do with anything?

- What does your father do? - His dad drives a truck!

- Sicelo, who asked you? - He asked.

So he's one of those niggers who disappears for weeks

and fucks around on your mom with a different woman in every town.

And when he comes home at the end of the month

he wants respect because he's the man, right?

Don't talk to me like that. I'll fuck you up!

I'll show you what we do to faggots where I come from.

- Don't pick on him, you'll get us in shit. - This is your fault.

Why'd you call the faggot over?

You're just picking on him for no reason.

Initiate!

Vija wants to talk to him.

- Is that Vija? - Yes, he's talking to him and not us.

You shouldn't let them get to you.

They're jealous.

They want the life you have.

I don't have time for them.

So, you are here to fuck up our ways.

What do you mean, caregiver?

I can see your tricks.

You pretend not to give a damn.

But you won't be satisfied until you've disrupted our ways.

Isn't that right?

I was told not to talk to you, caregiver.

Says who?

Xolani.

Why?

I don't know. Ask him yourself.

Maybe it's because he wants me all for himself.

You're full of shit.

Do I smell a bunch of goats?

Yes!

Hey, boys.

Where are the initiates?

They went up the mountain.

Don't talk shit. Why would they go without telling anyone?

I'm telling the truth.

They left with Vija.

What's that bastard up to now?

Vija! These are our initiates.

- What's going on here? - Don't talk to me like that.

Damn it.

Why would you just take them without telling us?

Why would you do shit like that?

Your initiates wanted to see the waterfall, is all.

Isn't that right?

- You guys want to see it? - Indeed.

You want to see the waterfall?

Let's go then!

Let's go!

What are we waiting for?

Did you hear?

X won't be coming back to the mountain next year.

Nonsense. He'll be back.

Maybe he's ready to take a wife,

raise some kids of his own.

With who? That little girl from the church?

What's her name again?

Hey, Xolani!

Hey, X. Who is she? That girl from the church.

Please, let's not cross here.

There's gonna be shit.

Come on, gents. Enough. Let's go back.

We can cross.

- Excuse me, sir. - What's up?

I'm here with the initiates.

We're trying to get to the waterfall.

To do what?

- Who's hungry? - We all are.

Hold it down!

Show us how it's done!

You two get some firewood...

You. Go.

- Leave him! - What are you doing?

What you gonna do?

Stop them!

How?

Where are my initiates?

Let's go.

Come on, city boy, drink up.

What's the faggot doing? He's drunk!

They're falling in love!

Caregiver, look.

- Take this. - It isn't full.

It's enough. Go.

Why the long face?

You're going home tomorrow.

Isn't that what you wanted?

You didn't sleep in the hut last night.

Don't start.

You should be pleased.

You're going back to your life.

You're a man now.

- Move. You'll get hurt. - I won't. Just listen.

Yes, I'm a man. I'm not taking anyone's shit anymore.

Not my dad's. Not anybody's.

You like this place?

Seeing the same people? Doing the same things?

Don't you want to leave, Xolani? See new things?

- What are you doing? - They all see you, but won't let you be —

What are you doing?

I know what your problem is. You're afraid of what you want.

Stupid faggot.

What's your plan?

I must come with you to Joburg?

And do what there?

When you leave tomorrow, I go back to Queenstown.

What's in Joburg for me?

Tell me.

Are you mute?

The mountain is all there is for me.

And it's not enough.

Initiates.

Something wrong?

We mean no disrespect but we've been hearing stories.

What stories?

This city boy.

Say what you want to say.

- What about you? - You and that city boy.

Don't piss me off.

Caregiver, we've been watching you.

How dare you, asshole?

This is not the first day we've seen you. We've been watching you.

And you? Who are you?

He's talking to you. Not to me.

Who do you both think you are?

Say what you want to say!

Talking shit to my face?

What kind of man does what you do?

- What you're doing is wrong. - What? Speak goddamn it!

Out the way, X! Come here!

Do you know who this is?

- Forgive me! - Talk, you little shit!

- Forgive me! - Do you know this caregiver?

Piece of shit.

Leave me! Fuck off! Leave me!

A man doesn't behave like this!

Excuse me, brother.

Does your wife know the shit you get up to on the mountain?

Run!

Initiate!

Initiate!

- Greetings, son! - Sir.

- All good? - Pristine.

Goodness, he's a man!

You and I are running the same race.

Let's see, son. Looks good.

Yes, man!

The initiates look great.

Beautiful. Very good.

This is how a man is meant to be.

Where's Khwalo's boy?

Sir, something's happened.

The city initiate is missing.

Xolani and Vija are looking for him as we speak.

My God!

Put these on.

I tried to find the camp.

But I got lost.

Is Vija still looking for me?

There's a highway close by.

You think he wanted to kill me?

Young boys...

you have crossed the first of many rivers of manhood.

You must be patient and persevere, my sons.

The deepest river is the one you cross

when you leave this place.

As men you should be proud.

Grow a family

Build a kraal and let it not be hollow!

Open your ears. Open your eyes

Reject the foreign ways of the city

And beware the temptations of the white devil

that attacks the womb of the black woman.

This is South Africa, not Uganda or Zimbabwe.

We're not lead by Mugabe.

Like Africa doesn't know gay love?

I'm sure Shaka and his warriors all wanted each other.

Probably Jesus and his disciples were the same.

How can love destroy a nation?

What's the purpose of a dick anyway?

Sure, it's nice.

But is it really such an important instrument?

What are you waiting for?

This way.

People think they're so smart.

Men follow their dicks around like it's the most important thing.

A stupid little tip. It's completely irrelevant.

Hey, Vija.

Did you find the initiate?

Are you alright?

He's a good man.

Who, Vija?

He's a little boy posing as a big Xhosa man.

Like all the rest of them.

You need to free yourself from this bullshit.

He's got a wife and family. You don't think about those things.

I don't give a shit!

Someone should expose him. As a liar and hypocrite.

You think he loves you?

You think you're the only guy he fucks?

Fuck! I'm so angry!

Aren't you fucking angry? Doesn't he make you mad?

- Kwanda, wait. - What?

There's another way down.

What, the highway is right there?

You can't speak of what happened on the mountain.

You said there was a path —

THE WOUND