Namibia’s film landscape is growing and evolving, and one name is emerging as the next big thing.
Adriano Paulus, known as Bebe Mswenko to fans, is the breakout star of ‘Ompata’ after capturing hearts, bringing intensity to the screen and proving himself as a force to be reckoned with.
With the sequel to the first movie receiving glowing reviews, Paulus is well on his way to seeing his name in lights.
Paulus grew up in Windhoek, where his love of storytelling and the arts began.
“I’ve always felt deeply connected to the history around me, and acting seemed like the most natural way to explore that passion,” he shares.
With no prior formal training, Paulus learned everything while on set.
He says he looks up to actors like South Africa’s Israel Makoe (famous for ‘Tsotsi’ and ‘Four Corners’) and our own Norman Job (who appeared in ‘One Fine Day’, ‘Katutura’, and ‘Namibia: A struggle for Liberation’).
On a personal level, his family has been a huge inspiration and their support has meant the world to him.
His first on screen experience was in a YouTube short film called ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’, where he played the lead role. It was this project that gave him the confidence to take on more challenging projects.
“[It] gave me a taste of what it takes to bring a character to life on screen,” he explains.
The opportunity to work on Ompata came through a meeting with cinematographer Roger ‘Nino Pequeno’ Raphael and his team.
Paulus then portrayed Sex Champion, an underworld boss, for five seasons in an ensemble that often has a revolving cast.
“We wanted to start a web series that would drop each and every Friday with a unique storyline,” Paulus says.
The series, which dives into the gritty underworld of Namibian gangsterism, murder and drugs, quickly became a hit on the Pecan Stories Youtube page.
Now, they’ve added two feature length projects to their showreel. For Paulus, the move from web series to the big screen has been incredible.
“The web series was a fantastic experience because it felt very experimental and collaborative. Transitioning into film has been incredible. It’s like we’re taking this story to the next level, with more resources and a bigger platform to share it on.”
The second film premiered at Ster Kinekor last month, and received rave reviews, so it’s clear that ‘Ompata’ is here to stay, and so is Paulus.
“I’d love to continue working in both Namibian and international productions, expanding my range and skill set,” he says, adding that he dreams of being a household screen presence within the next five years.
He also hopes to venture into other avenues like directing.
While Paulus sees a bright future for himself, he also has big hopes for the Namibian film industry as a whole.
“The industry here is full of potential. I think we need more support, both financially and in terms of resources, to make production more sustainable. I’d love to see more infrastructure and opportunities for training, especially for young artists,” he says.
Paulus has some simple but powerful advice for anyone looking to break into acting.
“Be persistent and stay true to your passion. The arts can be challenging, but if you believe in yourself and keep working at it, opportunities will come,” he says.
– Anne Hambuda is a poet, writer, and social commentator. Follow her online or email her at annehambuda@gmail.com for more.
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