Why is it so hard to gain access to Namibian movies? Why can’t I walk into a cinema and watch a Namibian movie at any given time? Why can’t I go on Netflix or Showmax and stream a Namibian movie? Why is it so hard to get solid information at an acceptable pace about a production in this country?
One almost gets a feeling that you have to beg whoever is in charge of these movies for information. How is that possible? How is that the attitude? Why do we do this if not for the people? Why do we wake up at 04h00 for call-time at 05h00, shoot the whole day, whole month or months, edit for hours on end, just for the end product to be unavailable or difficult to access? Whose responsibility is it?
Yes, in Namibia we have a problem where everyone wants to be everything but Namibians, but do we, as creatives and owners of these intellectual property, not have the responsibility to thrust these productions into the eyes and hands of the public? What is the problem? The same could be said about theatre productions. You see that production once at the NTN or the Theatre School then it’s done. Opuwo!
Why can’t these theatre plays be available on streaming platforms or TV platforms like NTV, NBC and One Africa TV? Imagine rehearsing for a whole month as an actor just for a two-day performance?
As a collective in the film and theatre space, we need to take a hard look at ourselves and accept the fact that we are lagging behind when it comes to modern day consumption of content.
As a collective in the film and theatre space, we need to accept that we are failing the Namibian audience every single day when these productions are not available for streaming.
The leaders and influencers of the film and theatre space need to move past this BS of camps, sit down and look at how productions can be readily available to the Namibian market. Notwithstanding the Namibian market, it’s an ancient fact that film and theatre is a powerful marketing tool for any country.
I wonder if the folks representing us at the Dubai Expo 2020 even have any of these productions. I highly doubt it. How should they when the leaders of the film and theatre space hold on to the end product like a mother who just gave birth.
And yes, there’s a few productions that are on Showmax like ‘Land Of The Brave’, ‘Kegumbo Okegumbo’ to mention a few, but it’s not enough. Does this perhaps create an opportunity for a Namibian streaming site that focuses on Namibian productions, both film and theatre?
Whatever the solution may be, we need it and we need it now, because public screenings are not enough.
Until the next Loop, we say #GMTM
* Need an MC? I do not post naked pictures or have a 100k followers but after 10 years of MCeeing, I think I can do the job. Contact me for a quote at naobebsekind@gmail.com