Paheja Siririka
Excitement is growing for the premiere of the film ‘Ompata’, due to be screened on 22 July 2022 at Maerua Mall Ster Kinekor cinema.
‘Ompata’, street slang for ‘stupid’, was created, written, directed and produced by Roger Rafael. The 55-minute 55-second-long film started as a web series on YouTube in 2020. “I got into film because I realised there was a big gap in our film industry. There were stories told, but not real authentic stories about where we come from. There are so many stories in our townships that need to be told. These stories are relatable and need to be told visually,” Rafael told VIBEZ!
The 25-year-old was speechless at the fact that the film would be on the big screen soon, especially since it was shot on a low budget, using a regular photo camera with video settings and mic in less than five months at locations in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Windhoek.
“The message that we want to send out through this film is that sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” said the self-taught filmmaker, who has been in the industry for about seven years. Rafael stated that the lack of funding in the industry continues to hamper productions, and ultimately the quality of work put out.
“This is a self-funded film. We haven’t spent money on this project, besides the travelling and putting petrol in the car, which we normally do not count. When we say funding, we mean big budgets.” He added that the only challenge was not having the proper equipment, but they managed with their small camera and mic and, of course, the talent. Rafael said he wished they had the support of the Namibia Film Commission since they started the web series, but “God is grateful, and we’ve made it this far without help”.
Ompata Synopsis:
‘Rambo van die Nutte’ is assassinated by his long-time friend and business partner Sex Champion. Years down the line, Rambo’s brother, Kat, who had lost his memory, was involved in a car accident and regains his memory, just to find out that Sex Champion was the one who killed his older brother and kept the secret to himself. Now, Kat seeks revenge. Rambo van die Nutte is played by Edwin Costa, Sex Champion (Adriano Paulus), Doggbulls (Dorian Mario), Danger (Faustino Paulus), 50 Cent (Carlos Knowledge) and Kat (Roger Rafael).
- psiririka@nepc.com.na