By Charles Tjatindi
SWAKOPMUND
Local artists at the coast are dissatisfied with foreign filmmakers, whom they say do not deliver on their promises.
Artists complain that foreign filmmakers filming in Namibia would promise them benefits in their employment contracts, but would then renege on such benefits later on.
Desmond Bester, who has been working on the sets of various international movies being shot at the Namibian coast, is one such artist that had to endure alleged unfair treatment and breach of contract from film-making companies shooting in the country.
Bester was recruited as a props maker for the international thriller Generation Kill, which was partly shot on various locations in South Africa. He signed a contract that would span over six months, which outlined his duties and responsibilities.
After spending about four months in South Africa, he was allegedly told to leave, without any valid reason. On inquiry, Bester was allegedly told that the company could not continue to work with him, as he had become a “problem person to work with”.
“My supervisor on the set just showed up with tickets for the Mainliner [bus], and told me they no longer needed me on the set and I should leave South Africa and come back to Namibia,” he said.
Although his work contract only lapses on December 15, no explanation was given for its termination. The only reason given to him was that he should not be concerned about his commission, as it will be paid in full as stated in the contract – something, which appears to have angered Bester.
“These filmmakers think that all we are interested in is money, money, money! It is not always about that. We also have rights like anybody else and need to be respected. They should treat us like human beings, not like objects.”
According to Bester, he suspects that one of the reasons why he was expelled from the movie was that Namibians are apparently seen as a threat by locals and companies would do anything to advance local artists and crewmen.
“They know that Namibians are good with their hands and would therefore try anything to shut us out.”
Another artist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that he and others had also gone through the same experience. Unlike Bester, he was contracted as an extra.
“Although we understand that we really need the jobs they are giving us, they should not take advantage of that. We also have our rights,” he said.
According to Bester, many other artists and actors in the same situation have opted to remain silent as their pleas had seemingly fallen on deaf ears.
“People have spoken and got tired, my friend. What else can they do? All we hope for is that the next project will be better,” he said.
The South African company that had contracted Bester could not be reached for comment.
Namibia has on many occasions hosted foreign filmmakers, who are usually attracted to the country by its unusual contrasting landscape. To date, Namibia has been a location for Hollywood blockbusters such as Beyond Borders and Flight of the Phoenix.
Many unemployed Namibians are usually contracted on the sets as props and other odd jobs. They are also cast as extras in the various movies.