‘Untitled’ – Kapewasha and Kandenge’s New Namibian Web Series Fictionalises Local Arts Scene

In Lavinia Kapewasha and Jenny Kandenge’s new Namibian web series, Windhoek is a city of dreams and the dreamers are an ensemble of artists.

Adrian, an aspiring singer who quit his job in the hopes of making it big. Leti, a diminutive model trying to break into the industry. Biola, a visual artist managing pushback from her parents. Zion, a poet vibrating at his own frequency. Martin, the dethroned comedian. Joyce, the industry gatekeeper slash undercover writer, and Alicia, the requisite bad girl.

All making their way through the contemporary Windhoek arts scene in ‘Untitled’ (2018), the characters populate a 10-episode web series co-written by Kapewasha and Kandenge, produced by their production company Dark Crown Productions and partially funded by the Namibia Film Commission.

“’Untitled’ follows the lives of seven artists all trying to make it in the ever-changing scene of Windhoek, in the developing nation of Namibia,” says Kapewasha who also directed and co-produced the web dramedy alongside Kandenge who adds that the series is inspired by the duo and their peers’ own struggles, challenges and experiences as artists.

“We have rivalry, passion, money, support, exposure, insecurities and those are just among the list,” says Kandenge, commenting on some of the issues explored in the series which is firmly contextualised within contemporary Windhoek and features cameos by artists such as Kris with a K, Mark Kariahuua and Ndinomholo Ndilula playing themselves while various characters are inspired by their real-life counterparts.

Describing Windhoek as a character in and of itself, Kapewasha took great care to shoot at locations that would lend authenticity to the lived experience of local artists. “We concentrated on the artistic areas, specifically the artists’ hubs and the homes of the characters, their schools and their favourite hangout spots. They were tricky to narrow down on a logistical and budgetary basis but we managed,” she says.

“We wanted Windhoek to be a character on its own as the confines of the city really dictate the artistic experience.”

Shot all over the city from the centre to Katutura with a title sequence featuring Lioness’ ‘Dreams’ overlooking the view at Three Circles, ‘Untitled’ showcases Windhoek from the artist’s view, set to local music through the relatively viable medium of a YouTube web series.

“We wanted to go where no other Namibian production company wanted to go,” says Kapewasha, who cites her web series inspirations as ‘Awkward Black Girl’, ‘An African City’, ‘High Maintenance’ and Buzzfeed’s ‘Broke’, to name a few. “Web series are a great platform to get your work out to the internet family and to reach many corners. We want to entertain and enlighten Namibia but the rest of the world as well in order to create appeal for Namibian content.”

Relatively feasible for filmmakers with little to no funding and those seeking audiences outside the country without distribution money, web series are easily uploaded to the internet, often cheaper to produce than longer format films and fit relevantly into the desire for more short, punchy and episodic content.

“At Dark Crown, we are all about doing new things and showing others that it can be done. Web series are the new thing.

The new generation spends more time on phones and social media than watching TV and we are trying to get that target market,” says Kandenge, who adds that passion is a huge part of getting your web series made at all.

“You have to be passionate about the story you are trying to tell, otherwise you will easily get demotivated and give up,” she says.

“You do not need a huge budget but you do need some funding unless you have your own equipment. We had to beg, borrow and steal but so many people loved the concept and were willing to help out.”

Starring Rodelio Lewis, Elizabeth Hamurenge, Khadijah Mouton, Fellipus Negodhi, Freddy Mazila, Chantell Uiras and Jeanne-Danae Januarie all tasked with turning in natural and compelling performances, ‘Untitled’s’ ensemble presents a crop of the industry’s rising stars reflecting the diverse multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and integrated aspects of Namibian society.

“Expect great performances despite much of the cast not having screen acting experience,” says Kapewasha, who makes her directorial debut alongside a refreshingly woman-helmed production.

“It’s important for women to be at the head of something as we are used to men in positions of power. Seeing women in positions of power in the film industry brings a new narrative and different experience. We want to be able to tell stories from a black woman’s narrative even though we’re writing for a diverse cast. We want to be able to have polarity between all our characters and their storylines – no funny business,” she says.

“There are more men who have production companies in Namibia. The women are few and far between, therefore we want to inspire the younger generation to do it. Women should be able to want to become a sound engineer or a cinematographer or even a gaffer. For us to be able to start Dark Crown Productions and create the web series is to show that women can also muster up stories and take the initiative.”

As for the show itself, sneak peek at the first two episodes can report some familiar, some funny and the beginning of something significant. The cast is natural and improve as they go along, you’ll geek out about the local settings and the story is certainly one worth telling built on what the show’s writers want society to know.

“We want society to know that our industry is important. That artists are hardworking people as well and it isn’t as easy and fun as social media or TV makes it seem,” says Kandenge as Kapewasha chimes in. “Artists are multi-dimensional people.

Creatives aren’t just artsy-fartsy, but hardworking and passionate individuals who are trying to bring Namibian and African creativity to the world in order to celebrate our culture.”

And though the creative duo wants everyone, particularly millennials, to tune in and watch on their laptops, phones, TVs and even share it on WhatsApp if they can, there is a special demographic laughingly invited to check out the show.

Parents of artists!

“They might be fictional characters but we want people to understand that being an artist isn’t easy,” concludes Kandenge.

“We hope people see that there’s more to Africa than poverty and hunger and that we have a variety of stories to tell.”

Watch the teaser trailer and cast introductions of ‘Untitled – The Web Series’ on YouTube and look out for weekly episodes. Follow @Untitled_webser on Twitter and Facebook for more information.

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