The Rock

Double Feature

Kapana
Directed by: Philippe Talavera

*If there are multiple viewers in your household we’re asking that you opt-in for the Group Tickets rate if possible.

Kapana 

Director: Philippe Talavera

This film is a double feature screening with All Boy’s Aren’t Blue

2020 | Namibia | 60m | English, Afrikaans, Oshiwambo

In the first gay love story out of Namibia, George, a middle class insurance broker, lives openly and with acceptance from his family, while his new boyfriend — working-class food vendor Simeon — remains in the closet, gnawed at by traditional notions of masculinity and the desire for acceptance from his peers. In a country where same-sex relationships are still criminalized, these two men begin a romance that challenges both of them to shed societal expectations and stigma to truly flourish.

 Starring: Adriano Visagie, Simon Hanga, Mikiros Garoes, Foreversun Haiduwah, Chanwill Vries, Albertina Hainane, Lukas Paulus, Felicity Celento

SCREENING ONLINE FROM APRIL 16-20

*Available only in the US

Philippe Talavera

Born in France, Philippe Talavera moved to Namibia in 1997 where he established the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation, a Namibian Trust aiming at creating social awareness using the Arts.
Films credits include ‘Kapana’ (2020, winner best feature film Pride Queer Film Festival, Australia and Kim Renders Memorial Award for outstanding performance Reelout queer film festival 2021, Canada), ‘Kukuri (2018, nominated best film Southern Africa, AMVCA20), ‘Salute!’ (2017, winner Sotigui Award Best Actor Southern Africa 2019, Burkina Faso), ‘Pap and milk’, ‘now that I can talk about it’ (winner best male actor, NTFA14), ‘Stinky boy’ (winner best female actor, NTFA14)

Director's Statement

Set in Namibia, Africa where sodomy is still a crime, Kapana is the first local queer love story. Many young gay men live in the closet and fear discrimination and rejection from family members. Based on testimonies gathered from young Namibian gay men, this film was produced with the hope to give hope to people who dare fall in love, no matter what.

While writing the script, we constantly kept in mind that we wanted to give a positive representation to young Namibians who may be struggling with their sexuality. While the reality is that being gay in an homophobic country where the legislation criminalises who you love is difficult, we didn’t want to tell yet another dramatic story. We wanted to give some hope, to let people know that it is OK to fall in love.
We strongly believe that gay love matters and we aim at using the films not only to sensitise the public but also to challenge our government to decriminalize same sex relationships. We deliberately adopted a light tone and as the director I constantly reminded myself that I wanted to tell a beautiful love story where the two protagonists happened to be two men. I wanted the audience to forget they were two men, but to fall for those characters. I wanted them to identify with George and Simeon, to want them to end together despite their differences, despite their luggage, despite secrets kept too long. Kapana markets in Namibia are important social spaces. We set the film amidst the smoke and smell of the barbecued meat to give it a local flavor.


We are thrilled by the response we received from festivals so far. Most festivals are online this year so it has not been possible to interact with the audience and share our experience making this film in a country where such relationship is a crime. It was brave from the cast and the crew to embark on this journey and we celebrate their courage.

How and Where to Watch

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All films will be available from April 16-20th. You’ll receive an email with access to the film and you have 72 hours to watch after you press “play”.

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