HAZEL Hinda was the Namibian belle of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) ball in Lagos last Sunday, scooping the award for best actress in a supporting role for her turn in ‘Hairareb’ (2019).
Nominated alongside an impressive list of actresses including Tumi Morake (‘Seriously Single’), Naana Hayford (‘Chasing Lullaby’), Ini Edo (‘The Citation’) and Gloria Anozie-Young (‘Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story’), Hinda won the award at a glittering event as she attempted to calm her nerves.
“My fellow nominees are all very talented actresses and I really did not expect to hear my name being called. I swear it took me a good minute to realise,” says Hinda.
“It was a humbling moment. A moment I will remember forever.”
The AMAAs, founded by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe in 2005, honour excellence in the African film industry and connects the continent through cinema.
“The awards show was spectacular. The red carpet was fun and filled with journalists and TV stations from all over Africa,” says Hinda. “We’ve been able to connect with so many film producers and creatives who are eager to network and collaborate on future projects. The hospitality was really superb.”
Hinda was joined at the awards ceremony by ‘Hairareb’ director Oshoveli Shipoh and the high commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria, Humphrey Geiseb, and his wife who also hosted the filmmakers for dinner.
“For me, Hazel’s win has reinvented the meaning of gratitude,” says Shipoh. “Hazel plays Moira, the housekeeper who can’t seem to mind her own business but has reserved her true feelings for her master, Hairareb.”
Extolling Hinda’s ability to bring vulnerability to the character while portraying her in a way that is sincere and emotional, Shipoh says he is grateful to have worked with such a talent.
“Hazel’s ability to get into character is amazing. I’ve never worked with anyone who can cry in a scene and still be able to repeat it three times during retakes, and be back to normal again like nothing happened. Yet it’s true emotions she lets out,” he says.
‘Hairareb’ is loosely based on a novel by August C Bikeur and was nominated for a number of AMAAs including best film, best director (Shipoh), best actress in a leading role (Claudine de Groot) and best actor in a leading role (David Ndjavera).
“The win and the nominations mean that Africa and the diaspora have taken notice of us,” says Hinda, who also recently won the best actress Dikalo award at the International Pan-African film festival in Cannes.
As Namibian film continues to earn accolades around the world and at continental awards shows as prestigious as the AMAAs and the Sotiguis, Hinda hopes African film-makers continue to see the value in connection.
“Collaboration creates a platform for exchange in skills. It opens doors and presents plenty of opportunities for all individuals within the film industries,” she says.
“These awards are not solely for Nigeria. They are a reflection of diversity in creativity with regard to African cinema. We saw works from all over Africa and the diaspora,” says Hinda.
“Once Africans come together, we will be a powerhouse.”
– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com
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