The independent feature film Shut Up, Men Are Talking!, uploaded to YouTube earlier this year, will be making its national TV debut this month.
Movie Room, channel 113 on DStv, has acquired the rights to the movie, marking the channel’s first acquisition of a South African-produced film.
Also see: ‘Shut Up, Men Are Talking’ returns for second screening after massive demand
‘Shut Up, Men Are Talking!’ to hit TV screens
Movie Room has been running a Women’s Month campaign this month. The film will thus be the last showing of the campaign, as it will air on 31 August 2026 at 8pm.
It is through this acquisition that the channel is signalling its exploration and desire to collaborate with independent filmmakers in South Africa.
According to IOL, chief content officer Pulane Tshabalala states that South Africa has an abundance of independent filmmaking talents and that their stories deserve a broader audience. Tshabalala added that this acquisition is a significant first step in the channel’s journey into South Africa’s feature film industry.
Also see: Mzansi Praises Chris Q. Radebe’s Bold YouTube Series ‘Shut Up! Men Are Talking’
More about the film
Shut Up, Men Are Talking! was written and self-funded by Chris Q Radebe. The film built a significant audience through its independent release on YouTube. It racked up an upward of 10 million views in the first month of its release on the streaming platform.
The feature film follows a female protagonist named Nontobeko, a young, widowed woman fighting back against the expectations of a patriarchal society because she wants to live an assertive life. The movie is a relevant reflection of the struggles women go through in the name of ‘cultural norms.’
Radebe’s project also explores dynamics around gender, family and relationships. It also features a star-studded cast, including Bad Influencer lead Jo-Ann Reyneke and The Wife actor Wiseman Mncube, Gomora‘s Thulane Mstweni, Zikhethelo Zondi and Lungelo Mpangase.
Also see: Chris Q Radebe explains the delay on ‘Shut Up! Men Are Talking’
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