Local film lovers are in for a trailblazing time as four women-led films light up the screen at the Warehouse Theatre tonight.
Showcasing Lavinia Kapewasha’s post-apocalyptic ‘Iitandu’, Senga Brockerhoff’s theatre thriller ‘Encore’, Mikiros Garoes’ modern Namibian comedy ‘The Date’ and Naomi Beukes’ dramatic ‘The Wind on Your Skin’, the event features films written and directed by women and marks the undeniable rise of Namibia’s women film-makers.
“At a time where women’s rights are being featured all over the world and women are standing up for who they are, screening films made by women is a milestone for the Namibian film industry. It shows that the Namibian Film Commission is ready to show women the respect they deserve in this business and that Namibian women before and behind the camera are a force to be reckoned with,” says Beukes, whose film alights on a group of brave young Namibian women who find their voice after one them is killed because of who she loves.
Heartened by the positive response to their films, which all recently premiered, the film-makers encourage the public to support their screening as they fundraise to submit their work to various international festivals.
“You’ll get to see fantastic stories that are completely varied,” says Kapewasha, remarking on what’s in store this evening.
“You’re literally seeing a motion picture variety show. There’s a post-apocalyptic sci-fi that is the first in Namibia, that allows us to see a snippet of what catastrophic ramifications a deadly virus does to Africa – for once. A ghost story set in a prominent artistic building and home to so much storytelling in Namibia; a whimsical, humorous portrayal of the crazy dating scene in Namibia and those that accompany it, and a gripping LGBT-focused drama about a community shaken by murder.”
Certainly offering a wealth of diverse narratives, genres and styles which Kapewasha notes is a triumph in itself given the challenges ofmaking films in Namibia, the showcase is described as something a little more festive by Garoes.
“Not only is it a celebration of Namibian film but Namibian films directed and led by Namibian women telling their stories. It’s rare, which is why it must be celebrated,” she says.
“Coming out and seeing the movies is the best form of support because that will enable us to create more Namibian stories to put forth on the global stage.”
The films will be screened at 19h00 tonight, Friday, 21 June, at the Warehouse Theatre.
Tickets are available at the door and at today.com.na.
– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com
