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Friday, February 18, 2005 - Web posted at 7:25:25 GMT Nujoma film scenes to be shot in Cuba TANGENI AMUPADHIPACON is to send film crews to Cuba and the United States of America next month as part of the Pan-African organisation's plans to make Namibia's first blockbuster movie. |
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Uazuva Kaumbi, the producer of 'Where Others Wavered', based on President Sam Nujoma's role in Namibia's liberation, confirmed this week that some filming will be done in Havana, Cuba, and New York. Sources said the Pan Afrikan Centre of Namibia (Pacon), which is spearheading the production, is sending actors and other crew members overseas for "familiarisation". Kaumbi was unable to say how many people are involved, but added that the cost will be very high. There was recently a forensic audit at Pacon following allegations that Kaumbi and some board members had used the film project to pay themselves high fees. Kaumbi has dismissed all the accusations. "You are looking at a substantial amount of money, much more than N$50 000," said Kaumbi, when asked how much the trips will cost. "This is an epic. This is a big movie we are going to make." The movie is expected to cost N$50 million, which Pacon is raising through cash-and-kind donations. Taxpayers are footing nearly a third of the bill. More than N$4,5 million has been spent before filming even starts. Kaumbi said they expect to get some sponsorship through bilateral agreements between governments, while part of the trip could be underwritten by Air Namibia. He said it was crucial to get Cuban scenes because that is where President Sam Nujoma met with Socialist leader Fidel Castro during the final military push against apartheid South Africa. "They met in Cuba just in the middle of [the battle of] Cuito Cuanavale. It's like the climax. We feel that we have to shoot it in Cuba," said Kaumbi said the meeting could be filmed in a studio but that it was necessary to get actual location shots. Other major expenses will be incurred by involving international film director Charles Burnett, who has been in Namibia for the past two weeks, as well as actors Danny Glover and Carl Lumbley, whose services Pacon is trying to enlist. "Most African movies fail because of poor technical quality," said Kaumbi, adding that they decided to get "a strong [Hollywood cast] when it comes to the artistic part". The actual shooting of 'Where Others Wavered' is set for March 22. More than 100 characters will be involved. Shooting will be done at Walvis Bay, in Windhoek, the former Owambo and Caprivi, which will substitute Angola as a location. A pall still hangs over Pacon and the film's use of money paid by Government after some of the insiders, including former Chairperson Becky Ndjoze-Ojo, accused colleagues of using the film to enrich themselves. Kaumbi hopes that by the time shooting starts the audit report would have been released and have given them a clean bill. The cost of the film has been astronomical. Its initial projected cost of N$20 million quickly jumped to N$50 million. Some have questioned the need for paying a self-styled technical committee N$150 000. The film commission has to date paid N$4,5 million, including the first N$2,2 million towards marketing the project idea, with a sizable chunk going to the faintly related pull-out advertorial on Namibia and President Sam Nujoma carried by the UK-based New African magazine. * Tangeni Amupadhi is a freelance journalist. |
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