When it comes to film, everybody loves a classic. Those vintage cinematic gems that you’ll catch every time there’s a new cut, cinema run or release while spouting just as much enthusiasm, appreciation and awe.
Re-released on YouTube eight years after its debut and garnering 75 585 views since February, ‘Looking for Iilonga’ (2011) may be just the thing. A cinematic gift that keeps on giving while beguiling fresh new eyeballs.
Starring Onesmus Uupindi, Ilke Platt, Aune Hamunyela and Immanuel Namwandi, ‘Looking for Iilonga’ tells the story of a young man from rural Namibia who seeks work in the ruthless city after his wife fails to repay a debt to a loan shark who eventually comes calling.
Produced by Collective Productions and co-written by the film’s director, Tim Huebschle, and Nailoke Mhanda based on a screenplay by Mhanda, ‘Looking for Iilonga’ considers the challenges and pitfalls of rural-urban migration with the kind of empathy and prowess that continues to impress audiences almost a decade later.
On YouTube, the appreciation is effusive.
“Beautiful film. Thumbs up to Namibian film-makers,” remarks Tulela Nampala. “People were making such quality movies in Namibia in 2011” says a user named Winstxn Music before Taliyah Ashuulu dubs the short the “first Namibian film to make me cry”.
And while Collective Productions shares in their June newsletter that, since April, the film has been viewed an average of 1 000 times a day, Uupindi, who stars in the film, comments on why he thinks the film continues to resonate so long after its original release.
“I think the idea of rural-urban migration, especially for work, is common among many communities. The fact that we pushed the plot and created a difficult situation for the main character added intrigue,” says Uupindi, who also believes using Oshiwambo, a widely spoken language, and subtitles add to the film’s appeal.
“The film has humour and speaks about the everyday human experience of needing help sometimes. I look back and I am amazed at how far this film has gotten. Thank you all for the support. ‘Looking for Iilonga’ is a must-watch Namibian story.”
