Of Good Report
Artist: Jahmil XT Qubeka
Year: 2013
Date of Action: July 2013
Region: Africa
Location: University of KwaZulu-Natal
Subject: Explicit Sexuality
Medium:
Confronting Bodies: The South African film and publications board
Description of Artwork: The film tells the story of a high school teacher who falls in love and seduces one of his students. He ultimately murders the girl after she spurns his continued advances. The film includes a scene in which the teacher is depicted performing oral sex on the student. In the scene the actors are both clothed and the teacher puts his head under the girl's skirt.
The Incident: At the film's intended opening, the Durban international film festival, the festival audience was confronted with an on-screen statement "This film has been refused classification by the film and publications board, in terms of the Film and Publications Act of 1996. Unfortunately we may not legally screen the film Of Good Report as doing so would constitute a criminal offense." The film and publications board had refused to issue a rating for the film and had, instead, banned it as child pornography.
Results of Incident: Jahmil XT Qubeka, the film's director wore tape over his mouth following the incident. He has said he is willing to go to prison to protect his right to show the film. Possession of it is now a criminal act and all copies have to be surrendered to the police or destroyed.
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