‘Wavered’ movie to go to Cannes

THE Namibian film ‘Where Others Wavered’ will be ready for international release at this year’s Cannes Film Festival in the south of France in May.

This is according to Uazuva Kaumbi, the executive producer of the film based on the life story of founding President Sam Nujoma. Kaumbi says an agreement was signed by Pacon – the local group backing the production – the Namibia Film Commission and the American post-production company Digital Cut Post in early December to complete the film for its anticipated May release.An instalment of 50 per cent of the undisclosed costs of post-production was paid to Digital Cut Post at the time, he said.Digital Cut Post belongs to Ed Santiago, who has been involved with the project for some time and is also the editor of the film.Another instalment is to be paid later this year and the final settlement would be made upon delivery of the finished product, Kaumbi said.Filming on ‘Where Others Wavered’ started on April 25 2005 and wrapped up in early September.Government invested N$90 million in the movie through the Namibia Film Commission.In addition, numerous parastatals and private companies gave donations in kind, the value of which have not been calculated to date – for example, Air Namibia flew film principals to and from Namibia.International stars who feature in the movie include Danny Glover and Carl Lumbly.Although the Cannes Film Festival starts on May 27, a version of the film must be submitted for consideration for inclusion in the festival by March.Kaumbi said that after the international premiere of the film, the Namibian public would at last be able to see film for themselves when it is rolled out for screening across the country.This is expected to be towards the end of May or early in June.It would be an opportunity for small and medium enterprises to get involved, as projectors and screening sites would have to be secured all over Namibia, he added.He expects a nominal fee to be charged at the screenings, as one of the ways to recoup the production costs, which have to be repaid to the Film Commission for the millions of dollars Government invested in the project.Kaumbi said such screenings would take place long before this year’s Heroes’ Day celebrations on August 26.By June or July the film should be transferred to DVD and video format for worldwide distribution, he said.Kaumbi says an agreement was signed by Pacon – the local group backing the production – the Namibia Film Commission and the American post-production company Digital Cut Post in early December to complete the film for its anticipated May release.An instalment of 50 per cent of the undisclosed costs of post-production was paid to Digital Cut Post at the time, he said.Digital Cut Post belongs to Ed Santiago, who has been involved with the project for some time and is also the editor of the film.Another instalment is to be paid later this year and the final settlement would be made upon delivery of the finished product, Kaumbi said.Filming on ‘Where Others Wavered’ started on April 25 2005 and wrapped up in early September.Government invested N$90 million in the movie through the Namibia Film Commission.In addition, numerous parastatals and private companies gave donations in kind, the value of which have not been calculated to date – for example, Air Namibia flew film principals to and from Namibia.International stars who feature in the movie include Danny Glover and Carl Lumbly.Although the Cannes Film Festival starts on May 27, a version of the film must be submitted for consideration for inclusion in the festival by March.Kaumbi said that after the international premiere of the film, the Namibian public would at last be able to see film for themselves when it is rolled out for screening across the country.This is expected to be towards the end of May or early in June.It would be an opportunity for small and medium enterprises to get involved, as projectors and screening sites would have to be secured all over Namibia, he added.He expects a nominal fee to be charged at the screenings, as one of the ways to recoup the production costs, which have to be repaid to the Film Commission for the millions of dollars Government invested in the project.Kaumbi said such screenings would take place long before this year’s Heroes’ Day celebrations on August 26.By June or July the film should be transferred to DVD and video format for worldwide distribution, he said.