Funding and logistical hassles delay ‘Katutura’

The last time we heard from them, the team from the movie ‘Katutura’ promised to have the cameras rolling by June. A few months down the line though, Namibian film lovers are still waiting for the musical to start shooting.

The production team of the long awaited Namibian feature film ‘Katutura’ is working hard to get the film in front of cameras soon. After more than half a year of work on script, casting, fundraising and finding the right locations for the film, producer Obed Emvula and director Florian Schott are getting ready to switch on the lights and roll the cameras on the biggest Namibian independent film to date.

Speaking to The Namibian, Schott, who is the director of the film, assured the public that the film will be shot by November at the latest.

“The one thing that has been delaying the shooting is the scope of the project. Not only did the logistics take long to organise, a project of this size has never been done in Namibia”, he explained.

He declined to divulge any information regarding the funding of the project.

“The producer will not like it if I reveal that information at this moment. Once we get everything started, we will be able to reveal all the funders for the project”, he said.

The Cast of ‘Katutura’ consists of a diverse group and includes professionals, amateurs, musicians, and a beauty queen. Chops Tshoopara who has previously worked with Schott is one of the actors, so are Obed Emvula, Mara Baumgartner, singer Jericho and Armas Shivute, as well as former Miss Namibia Odile Müller, Gift Uzera, Tjuna Kauapirura and Prisca Anyolo.

Odile Müller will make her singing debut for an original song in the film and preparations such as rehearsals and the production of music and songs for the film are in full swing while the production team plans a five week shoot around November in order to finish the film in the first half of 2014.

Casting for the production is still ongoing with Tulinane Entertainment offering opportunities for many more extras to feature in the film.

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