Director

John Trengove

Born March 21, 1978 in Johannesburg, South Africa8 films

John Trengove (born March 21, 1978; Johannesburg) is a South African film director, known for The Wound (2017) and Manodrome (2023).

John Trengove was born in Johannesburg in 1978. Trengove is the son of famous South African advocate, Wim Trengove. He attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. In 2010 he directed the miniseries Hopeville, which was nominated for an international Emmy and received the prestigious Rose d'Or for drama. It was also released as a 92-minute feature film. His short film, The Goat, premiered at the Berlinale Film festival in 2014 and screened at over 40 film festivals worldwide. In 2017, The Wound was releases, which is a controversial film which tracks a closeted relationship between two men in the context of the Xhosa initiation ritual. The film premiered at the Sundance film festival, and won best feature at Frameline, Sarasota, Valencia and Taipei Film Festivals. In 2023, he directed Manodrome, which has been labeled as a serious movie that may not appeal to everyone.

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The best way into John Trengove's work

First watchThe Wound20176.3Their style at its most typical, and among their best-rated work.Eastern Cape, South Africa. A lonely factory worker, Xolani, takes time off his job to assist during an annual Xhosa circumcision initiation into manhood.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach

5.1Manodrome2023

Filmography

8 films as director

2026The Smell of ApplesDirector
2023ManodromeDirector
2017The WoundDirector
2014The GoatDirector
2011Disco 3000Director
2010HopevilleDirector
2009Say Hi to BangkokDirector
2007Public EnemaDirector