Snipes tax issue ‘a boost for film’

IT has been “three weeks of hell” but neither the arrest warrant for Wesley Snipes, nor serious financial problems will disrupt the filming of ‘Gallow Walker’ in the Namib Desert, says the producer.

Speaking to The Namibian at Swakopmund yesterday, Joanne Reay said Snipes, the lead actor in the Western, would remain in the country and carry on filming. An arrest warrant was issued in the US last week following a charge of tax fraud in an indictment.It alleges that Snipes illegally claimed tax refunds of about N$91 million.”It is not affecting us and will not disrupt the production of the film,” said Reay.Instead, she said, the movie had received considerable publicity since news broke of the warrant.”Everybody seems to know about ‘Gallow Walker’, which is great for us.”Reay said the situation with Snipes’s tax had been an issue since 1999.”He had already committed to starring in ‘Gallow Walker’ in September last year, and remains focused on the film.That is his priority at the moment.”News also broke last week of financial problems dogging the independent movie, with crew members and service providers not receiving payment for three weeks.According to Reay, the movie had become “a victim of its own success” by being such a desirable investment opportunity that it “provoked a vicious manoeuvre” by one of the financiers.The problem surfaced when the financier wanted to improve his position after film studios showed increasing interest in the movie.”He realised he was sitting on a gold mine and tried to blackmail another partner by withholding his funding.”Reay said while this situation “nearly brought the film into total collapse”, the other partners fortunately decided to boot him out and get the wheels turning again.She was full of praise for the crew who stuck with them during the three weeks even though they had to go unpaid.”Normally a crew would walk out after one week of no pay.It was amazing how they stood behind us so resolutely, and the goodwill and patience showed by a lot of suppliers and service providers.”The producer said everything was back to normal and that filming had started last week.’Gallow Walker’, the first Western movie to feature a black lead with dreadlocks, will be shot entirely in Namibia.Even the studio scenes will be done in warehouses at Walvis Bay.Filming will continue until mid-December with about U$6 million (N$45,6 million) spent in Namibia.Reay said Snipes had been proactive in using his time here to promote filmmaking in Namibia.”It was his preference that the movie be brought here, and he is willing to lend his name and weight to assist Namibians in the industry.”He had already met with Erongo Regional Governor Samuel Nuuyoma, and planned to make an official visit to Windhoek to meet Government officials.Snipes (44), known for his roles in the ‘Blade’ thrillers, ‘Jungle Fever’ and ‘White Men Can’t Jump’, could face 16 years in prison if convicted on all charges levelled against him last week.* Maggi Barnard is a freelance journalist.An arrest warrant was issued in the US last week following a charge of tax fraud in an indictment.It alleges that Snipes illegally claimed tax refunds of about N$91 million.”It is not affecting us and will not disrupt the production of the film,” said Reay.Instead, she said, the movie had received considerable publicity since news broke of the warrant.”Everybody seems to know about ‘Gallow Walker’, which is great for us.”Reay said the situation with Snipes’s tax had been an issue since 1999.”He had already committed to starring in ‘Gallow Walker’ in September last year, and remains focused on the film.That is his priority at the moment.”News also broke last week of financial problems dogging the independent movie, with crew members and service providers not receiving payment for three weeks.According to Reay, the movie had become “a victim of its own success” by being such a desirable investment opportunity that it “provoked a vicious manoeuvre” by one of the financiers.The problem surfaced when the financier wanted to improve his position after film studios showed increasing interest in the movie.”He realised he was sitting on a gold mine and tried to blackmail another partner by withholding his funding.”Reay said while this situation “nearly brought the film into total collapse”, the other partners fortunately decided to boot him out and get the wheels turning again.She was full of praise for the crew who stuck with them during the three weeks even though they had to go unpaid.”Normally a crew would walk out after one week of no pay.It was amazing how they stood behind us so resolutely, and the goodwill and patience showed by a lot of suppliers and service providers.”The producer said everything was back to normal and that filming had started last week.’Gallow Walker’, the first Western movie to feature a black lead with dreadlocks, will be shot entirely in Namibia.Even the studio scenes will be done in warehouses at Walvis Bay.Filming will continue until mid-December with about U$6 million (N$45,6 million) spent in Namibia.Reay said Snipes had been proactive in using his time here to promote filmmaking in Namibia.”It was his preference that the movie be brought here, and he is willing to lend his name and weight to assist Namibians in the industry.”He had already met with Erongo Regional Governor Samuel Nuuyoma, and planned to make an official visit to Windhoek to meet Government officials.Snipes (44), known for his roles in the ‘Blade’ thrillers, ‘Jungle Fever’ and ‘White Men Can’t Jump’, could face 16 years in prison if convicted on all charges levelled against him last week.* Maggi Barnard is a freelance journalist.