In Windhoek alone about 3000 people watched the film (at the premiere, a one week run at Ster Kinekor Grove Mall last November as well as stand-alone screenings at the UN Plaza, Nice Restaurant, Warehouse Theatre and Chopsi’s). The film also had a two-week run over Christmas as well as extra screenings over 26th independence anniversary weekend in Ongwediva, and it screened every day for two weeks in Swakopmund. Besides the local screenings, it featured in Los Angeles in the United States of America (USA) at the Pan-African Film Festival earlier this year.
“Film festivals start to ask for the film as there has been quite a bit of [a] buzz in Los Angeles and the AFI screening in Washington, so we keep on getting more invites – which in turn hopefully leads to more buyers and interested distributors,” says its director Florian Schott,
In terms of the box office status internationally, Schott adds that international films have it a bit easier as the different cinema chains already have relationships with the distributors, but as for a local film such as Katutura, there is a lot more groundwork to be done. “There are American and African distributors who saw Katutura in Los Angeles (both for cinema as for TV stations and online releases) who are negotiating with our sales agent, Rushlake Media, and our producer regarding deals to buy the film for their respective territories.”
“Cinemas need to be convinced that people will show up and they have to make space that’s usually reserved for Hollywood films. So it is more difficult for local films,” says Schott. The film is also screening at the Ecrans Noir Festival in Cameroon this weekend.
“The showcasing of the film on Emirates Airline are a couple of steps on the way to bringing Katutura to the widest audience possible and have this Namibian film being seen all around the world,” Schott says.
Negotiations with Ster Kinekor regarding a full Namibian cinema release are ongoing, as are negotiations with numerous other distributors internationally. “Unfortunately I don’t know any details regarding time-frame and countries in which you’ll be able to watch Katutura on the big screen,” he says.
Schott adds that although the film has been very successful at all the Namibian cinemas (Ster Kinekor, Maerua and Grove Mall / Epic Cinemas, Ongwediva / Atlanta Cinema, Swakopmund), he hopes these cinemas stay open to the idea of screening local content. The film tells the story of Katutura and the everyday struggles of life in the township. There are constant instances of crime, drug abuse, and violence. Despite the glaring disparity among members of the community, there is strength in the community and creativity to prosper despite hard times.