Dedicated and driven, is how 34-year-old George Antonio, the lead actor in the African Magic Viewer’s Choice Award (AMVCA) nominated film ‘Kukuri’, describes himself.
“I am a young man full of multiple dreams. My hard work and a dedication always pay off,” he says.
As a young boy, Antonio paid the father of a child who had a TV at their home so that he could enjoy what he loved.
“I remember walking long distances from home and paying in coins to watch television and practise my acting skills.”
He comes from a very poor background and learned to be self-sufficient at a very young age.
“My parents could not find work as they did not have identity documents after we migrated to Rundu from Angola, so I had to take care of my family while I was in Grade 7 by working at a local cellphone repair shop.”
In 2017, a Rundu-based fashion designer, Toze Beja, linked Antonio to Ombetja Yehinga Organisation founder and director Phillipe Talavera, who was filming ‘Salute’ at the time. This was when his dream of acting in films was birthed.
At the moment, Antonio is working on the soon to be released film ‘Ghetto’, which tells the story of a young man who is raised by his HIV-positive sister after being violated by a gang as a child.
Antonio wrote and produced the film in 2018 and although not released yet due to financial constraints, the trailer is on YouTube and Facebook.
He says ‘Ghetto’ is one of only a few films made in the Kavango regions. One needs to invest a lot of time, effort and money to produce quality films which are shot in rural areas, he says.
“The sad truth is that at the end of the day we get zero recognition on our hard work. And the same applies to the very talented actors too,” says Antonio, who points out that actors from rural areas are often overlooked because film-makers rather opt for talent in urban areas. He says producers should collaborate with their colleagues in the rural areas in order to unearth hidden talent.
He encourages those who dream of becoming actors not to give up on their dreams even though opportunities may be scarce.
“Be positive about what you want, stay connected to social media and keep attending auditions.”
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
