New Film Launched

13 May 2011

Windhoek — A new short film ‘Sex and Chocolate’ produced by the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) and Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO) was launched at the University of Namibia (UNAM) main campus this week.

Think Twice is a joint project of the Gender Research and Advocacy Project at the LAC and the OYO.

It comprises two films following the journey of young people. ‘Sex and Chocolate’ was the first DVD to be released and the second film, ‘Teddy Bear Love’, would be released and launched in June.

In the film ‘Sex and Chocolate’, Lucy (El-Juanita Philander), a student at UNAM, is in love with David (West Uarije), but David is not faithful and does not always remember to use condoms.

What should Lucy do? Should she stay with David, and run the risk of getting hurt? Should she break up with him, despite the fact that she loves him? And how do you break up with someone whom you see everyday in class?

According to the director of the film, Phillipe Talavera, while the film hints at important issues such as HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy, it does not directly deal with those issues.

“We felt many films have already addressed those issues. We chose to rather look at the dynamic of relationships among young Namibians at university. If a girl knows her boyfriend is not faithful, why would she stay with him? Is it OK to be single? Or is it better to be in a relationship, even if that relationship is not fulfilling? Can David change? Does he understand he is hurting Lucy? The film focuses on the relationship between Lucy and David,” Talavera explained.

The story has two endings, depending on the choices made by the protagonists.

The device used to show the two alternative scenarios is modelled on the Hollywood film ‘Sliding Doors’ where the storyline splits and alternates between the two scenarios and the viewer watches how the plots diverge. The audiences see the consequences of both decisions and it is up to the viewer to decide what they hope they would make in life.

“The film is about more than just deciding whether or not to date a particular guy. It is about how social norms and culture can affect the decisions we make. Can a young girl who is socialised to be submissive find the assertiveness say no in a relationship? What does it mean for your self-esteem if you know that you are someone’s “second choice” in a relationship? Are informal sexual networks the new polygamy in Namibia? The film considers these questions and many more in a realistic and provocative story,” said Dianne Hubbard, one of the producers of the film.

The making of the Think Twice package was a participatory process.

Six talented young people, namely Riaan Afrikaner, Evelina Ashipala, Elmarie Kapunda, Norman Kapunda, Dennis !Kharuchab and Lydia Ndhikwa were invited to help develop the scripts and so the two stories in the series have a strong Namibian feel.

The scripts were then presented as plays and taken on tour to schools in Windhoek and the Kavango and Ohangwena regions before being transformed into films.

Almost 9 000 people saw the two plays on tour. The participatory process of testing and development has ensured that the content of the films are a good reflection of the views and concerns of young people in Namibia.

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, HIVOS and the Ministry of Health and Social Services through the Global Fund Programme made this film possible.

AllAfrica – All the Time