Shut Up! Men Are Talking: The Series Captivating South Africans
For the first time in a long while, a film is being made to show the toxic masculinity and patriarchy that exist within numerous African cultures. Directed by Chris Q. Radebe, Shut Up! Men Are Talking tells the story of a window who is fighting against such toxicity.
Plot
Nontobeko lost her husband who was serving in the South African Defence Force during one of his peace keeping mission. After two years of mourning, as required by the Zulu culture, her mother in-law brought in one of her son to inherit her.
With no love lost between them, Nontobeko resented her brother-in-law, who was not only a drunkard but also a lazy man who had achieved nothing in his life. But living in a patriarchal society meant that Nontobeko had to endure whatever nonsense was thrown her way.
Tired of the disrespect and the manner in which she was being ill-treated in her own husband’s house, she began to fight back. Her first move was to chase her brother-in-law out of the house while reminding her mother-in-law of the good deeds she had inspired her late husband to do for the family, yet she was still not appreciated.
While fighting against custom, she found herself loving the son of the village chief, Sokhulu Mthiyane. Although their love and affection for eachother was mutual, she struggled to show up these emotions or let Mthiyane know he occupies a place in her heart.
As a widow, she was seen as vulnerable and these vulnerabilities was exploited by villagers like Mancinza, who broke into Nontobeko’s Home and raped her. In another attempt of trying such evil act, Nontobeko fought back and overpowered him, taking him to the village chiefs, who in their typical patriarchal mindset saw nothing wrong with actions of Mancinza. Sokhulu Mthiyane who was the son of the village chief had to stand up against his father and in doing so, he was stripped of his family entitlements.
Director
Shut Up! Men Are Talking was directed by Chris Q. Radebe. The series which has taken the internet by storm with its powerful storytelling is solely funded by Chris with donations from viewers. The series is currently only available on YouTube.
Cast
Jo-Anne Reyneke – Nontobeko Mthethwa
Wiseman Mncube – Sokhulu Mthiyane
Thulani Mtsweni – Mancinza
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