This film will surely raise Cain
- By Alumni
Story of a homosexual encounter between two Indian men may break down barriers in society
A Johannesburg film maker is hoping his sexually explicit film will challenge Indian prejudices about race, sex and culture.
Jordache Ellapen, a Wits film lecturer, screened his debut film Cane/Cain this week. It depicts a homosexual encounter between two Indian men.
Ellapen, 29, formerly from Tongaat, said he wanted to analyse and challenge what it meant to be Indian in South Africa.
"Sex is used in this film as a form of communication between the two men, transcending all barriers," said Ellapen.
The plot sees a Fordsburg store owner rescue a Pakistani vendor from a xenophobic attack. He nurses him back to health and as they begin to grasp their similarities, their contact becomes intimate.
While studying at New York University for two years from 2006, Ellapen befriended Pakistani and Indian students, and he realised South Africans are unique in their "Indianess" compared to others of Indian descent.
The sugar-cane theme runs through the movie during recollections by the main character, who remembers the suicide of his friend in a sugar-cane plantation. The film's name also refers to Cain in the Bible.
"Naturally, casting for the film was difficult as we had many Indian male leads and as soon as they heard what the movie was about, they ran for it - which again shows the prejudices in our society. Both the lead actors are straight men and it forced them to inhabit some different spaces but they had a very supportive, respectful environment to work in," he said.
"I realise this film will shock the community but hopefully, through this, boundaries in our society will collapse."
The film will be screened at the Wits Arts and Literature Experience (WALE) from May 11 to 14.