‘Kapana’ Hits Theatre Screens

While Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc on the arts, next week’s premiere of ‘Kapana’ (2020) is a bright spot in this year’s challenging local film scene.

The first Ombetja Yehinga Organisation offering to premiere at Ster-Kinekor in the wake of international festival successes such as ‘Salute’ and ‘Kukuri’, ‘Kapana’ tells what Namibians may deem an ‘unconventional’ love story set amid the smoke and fire of Windhoek’s beloved outdoor market.

Directed by Philippe Talavera and employing the talents of screenwriters Mikiros Garoes and Senga Brockerhoff, the film stars Adriano Visagie and Simon Hanga, as well as Felicity Celento, Elize de Wee, Dawie Engelbrecht and Garoes herself.

“’Kapana’ is about family, friendships, loyalty and complicated relationship dynamics,” says Garoes.

“It’s about the difficulty of being yourself in a world that constantly wants you to be something other than who or what you truly are. Ultimately, it all comes down to a love story about two very different people that prompts the question: Can love conquer all?”

Describing the film as “truly a first of its kind for Namibia”, Brockerhoff believes this year is the perfect time for ‘Kapana’ to premiere.

“Now, in 2020, is exactly the time for this type of story to challenge outdated judgements about same-sex relationships,” she says.

“Namibia needs to move with the times and realise love is love, and it comes with all of the same challenges and hopefully triumphs.”

Reuniting after working together on Brockerhoff’s award-winning ‘Every Woman’, the screenwriting duo penned the film with the boon of a previously established rapport.

“We have a similar sense of humour and approach to writing, so we gelled well together creatively,” says Garoes.

“Each of us brought our own unique voice and perspectives to the process, but an invaluable element of the writing process was our writing consultants Tommy Vilo and Inno Po, who helped and guided us in terms of realism and accuracy within the LGBTQ+ community.”

Shot at various locations around the capital city during October and November 2019, ‘Kapana’ wrapped shooting before the Covid-19 crisis and is set to premiere with some level of fanfare.

“The film has been ready for a month now and the question became: What to do with it?” says Talavera, who adds they didn’t want to release the film online.

“I think it’s important to have a premiere to celebrate the work of everybody – from writers to actors to music producers and the production crew. But I was not sure people would come. I’m still not sure about it. People seem to be pretty scared.”

For those who do attend the ticketed red-carpet premiere, which will make use of half the cinema’s capacity to maintain social distancing, there will be the opportunity to see the film’s stars close up while a Q&A session will offer further insight into the making and themes of the film.

However, drinks and food in the foyer have been nixed so people don’t take off their masks.

According to Garoes and Brockerhoff, audiences can expect a great cast of established and new actors.

“Obviously I can’t give too much away, but there are several things to look forward to, the story being one of them along with interesting characters,” says Garoes, who adds the cinematography is particularly impressive, capturing Windhoek in a particularly beautiful and authentic way.

“The film touches on topics that are sensitive and very polarising, especially in African cultures, but they are topics which, nevertheless, have to be addressed. Hopefully, ‘Kapana’ will start a dialogue, and dialogue is usually the beginning stage of change. It’s an important story, because last I checked, everyone’s story, journey or experiences are valid and deserve to be told.”

Considering his hopes for the film amid Covid-19, Talavera is optimistic.

“I hope ‘Kapana’ will show us that the public is still there, that events can still be organised, and that the arts can survive this challenge,” he says.

“We don’t want to only watch Netflix for the next few years, no matter how good Netflix is. We want to go to the movies, to the theatre, and to concerts again. At least I do.”