Skoonheid, winner of Queer Palm Award at Cannes, opens in South Africa and prompts walkouts

The Cape Town director of the award-winning film Skoonheid is not offended that there was a walkout by a few viewers when his film opened at the weekend.

The daring feature film, which includes graphic scenes of a gay orgy and a gay rape, won the award for Best South African Feature Film at the Durban Film Festival

Director Oliver Hermanus, 27, isn't offended by the scattered reaction to his film, which opened last Friday; he said the walkouts were an affirming reaction, proving that the movie had made an impact: “We are not surprised by the walkouts, because people are not used to stories like this. It’s a very strong gesture, it shows I’m affecting people.”