Movie Makers Act Like Cavemen

HAVING recently read the letter headlined ‘Don’t strangle the golden goose’, I felt compelled to respond to it.

While I am glad that Mr Lohnert is deriving some benefit from the film industry I cannot but help to agree with the Minister’s statement that few Namibians are benefiting from the industry per se. My question to the gentleman is that while he is enjoying some benefit at least, does he know at what cost this is to his countrymen/women? I am involved with the ’10 000 BC’ production currently being shot in Swakop and I have to say that I am appalled at some of the excesses I have seen on the set.I accept that I should have raised my voice earlier in order to improve matters and I feel a great sense of guilt about this.I have witnessed things on set that I last saw in the old regime in RSA.If a foreigner were to come to my country and treat people in the way Namibians were treated on the ’10 000 BC’ set, they would literally be strung up.As recently as yesterday I overheard three local extras talking about the problems they are having.The complaints concerned blatant racism, verbal abuse, violation of their basic human rights and ” being treated worse than dogs in their own country”.They wondered whether the President was aware of what was happening and made the observation that “they were trying to do in Namibia what they were not allowed to do in RSA”.They basically complained about two low-rung management types who have a notorious reputation among the locals for verbal abuse and racism.They were, among other things, told “come here, you bunch of baboons”.While everyone else is given normal food, the locals are given “pap and wors”.A foreigner on set queried this and was told that they had delicate stomachs and would not be able to digest normal food, i.e.other than “pap and wors”.They are also reportedly not being paid on time and several locals have threatened to pull the set down if they are not paid.Ironically, they are currently shooting a scene where slaves revolt and storm the palace.As things stand, this could literally become reality within a few days if things do not improve.We are reaching the end of production and many extras are complaining that they have not been paid.If I come across as someone who has an axe to grind with individuals or the production company, I can assure you that this is not the case.What I am saying can be confirmed with literally any extra from Walvis Bay or Swakop.I am in fact proud to have been associated with this project.I would hope that the Minister concerned takes note of my comments, and confirm what I have said with those that have been affected.My suggestion is that the Film Commission sends monitoring representatives to movie sets on surprise visits.I apologise to those Namibian citizens who have been affected by my reluctance to bring this to light earlier.I know that some people were traumatised by the bizarre events that took place.This is certainly not the norm and is not representative of the industry as a whole.There is unfortunately a great deal of nepotism in the industry and individuals entirely unsuited to deal with people are appointed to positions of authority.In conclusion, I would like to call on the producers to apologise to Namibia for the actions of the misguided individuals involved and banish them from the industry completely.They are giving the industry and those associated with them a bad name.Barry Newberry Via e-mailMy question to the gentleman is that while he is enjoying some benefit at least, does he know at what cost this is to his countrymen/women? I am involved with the ’10 000 BC’ production currently being shot in Swakop and I have to say that I am appalled at some of the excesses I have seen on the set.I accept that I should have raised my voice earlier in order to improve matters and I feel a great sense of guilt about this.I have witnessed things on set that I last saw in the old regime in RSA.If a foreigner were to come to my country and treat people in the way Namibians were treated on the ’10 000 BC’ set, they would literally be strung up.As recently as yesterday I overheard three local extras talking about the problems they are having.The complaints concerned blatant racism, verbal abuse, violation of their basic human rights and ” being treated worse than dogs in their own country”.They wondered whether the President was aware of what was happening and made the observation that “they were trying to do in Namibia what they were not allowed to do in RSA”.They basically complained about two low-rung management types who have a notorious reputation among the locals for verbal abuse and racism.They were, among other things, told “come here, you bunch of baboons”.While everyone else is given normal food, the locals are given “pap and wors”.A foreigner on set queried this and was told that they had delicate stomachs and would not be able to digest normal food, i.e.other than “pap and wors”.They are also reportedly not being paid on time and several locals have threatened to pull the set down if they are not paid.Ironically, they are currently shooting a scene where slaves revolt and storm the palace.As things stand, this could literally become reality within a few days if things do not improve.We are reaching the end of production and many extras are complaining that they have not been paid.If I come across as someone who has an axe to grind with individuals or the production company, I can assure you that this is not the case.What I am saying can be confirmed with literally any extra from Walvis Bay or Swakop.I am in fact proud to have been associated with this project.I would hope that the Minister concerned takes note of my comments, and confirm what I have said with those that have been affected.My suggestion is that the Film Commission sends monitoring representatives to movie sets on surprise visits. I apologise to those Namibian citizens who have been affected by my reluctance to bring this to light earlier.I know that some people were traumatised by the bizarre events that took place.This is certainly not the norm and is not representative of the industry as a whole.There is unfortunately a great deal of nepotism in the industry and individuals entirely unsuited to deal with people are appointed to positions of authority.In conclusion, I would like to call on the producers to apologise to Namibia for the actions of the misguided individuals involved and banish them from the industry completely.They are giving the industry and those associated with them a bad name.Barry Newberry Via e-mail