Paths to Freedom wins big in Egypt

A NAMIBIAN film based on the liberation struggle, Paths To Freedom, won the Best Artistic Achievement Award in the main documentary competition of the Luxor African Film Festival in Egypt on 21 March.

The festival, a brainchild of Egyptian writer Sayed Fouad, was created when Fouad saw a need for a platform to celebrate African films which were previously not screened in Egypt.

Speaking to The Namibian about the award which coincided with the country’s independence celebrations, Path To Freedom’s director, Richard Pakleppa, expressed joy at the achievement. “It was a surprise to find out we won and how well the film was received in Egypt. When I got to Egypt, I realised that they had subtitled the entire film in Arabic. I am very honoured by this recognition”, he said, adding that the film has not only received good feedback in Egypt and other countries, but also at home in Namibia. “It’s been really amazing. We have had a huge demand for DVDs and people from all walks of life and corners of the country are asking for the film,” he said.

Although no monetary prize came with the award, Pakleppa said winning the Bronze Mask of Tutankhamun meant much more due to the exposure that comes with it.

Paths to Freedom tells the stories of prominent Namibian leaders and activists such as Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Founding President Sam Nujoma, President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Mzee Kaukungwa, Helao Shityuwete, John Nankudthu, Kambo Shixungileeni, Ben Amathila , Gerson Veii and many others. It is based on a narrative of how these leaders organised the struggle against apartheid South Africa, from protests against the occupying regime to the launch of the armed struggle in Omugulugwombashe in 1966.

Florence Haifene, executive secretary of the Namibia Film Commission (NFC), one of the partners who made production of the film possible, was also overjoyed at the feat. “We are extremely proud to be associated with this project. To be chosen from among so many projects is truly inspiring and commendable. It is not easy for any story to cut across cultures and still be relevant but Paths to Freedom has achieved that”, she said. She went on to encourage filmmakers to seek out partnerships that will bring their stories to life. “There are many stories that are left untold, especially those that deal with our history and liberation. This is but one of the many stories that could be told and the NFC encourages local filmmakers, especially those that have an interest in historic documentaries, to form partnerships to make this happen”, she said.

Paths To Freedom features music created by Papa Shikongeni and Philip Miller and was edited by Khalid Shamis and Catherine Meyburgh.

It’s a Namibian co-production between On Land Productions and NBC and created with the participation of the NFC. The film was produced with institutional partnerships with the National Archive of Namibia and the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs, with substantial financial support provided buy the Embassy of Finland in Namibia, FNB Namibia and the Carl Schlettwein Foundation in Basle.

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