Film Teddy Bear Love to be launched on 14 June 2011
Following the successful launch of ‘Sex and Chocolate’, the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) and the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO) are proud to present ‘Teddy Bear Love’, the second film of the series ‘Think Twice’. Think Twice is a project that examines the romantic relationships between young people in Namibia.
The film looks at the lives of three learners about to finish school. Sylvia (Jessica Augustus), is in grade 10 in Windhoek. She comes from a broken home, where her mother beats her father (Josef Molapong) regularly. Tony (Ellion Howoseb) is in grade 12 at the same school. He has noticed Sylvia at school and is attracted to her. His friend, Daniel (Norman Kapunda), encourages him to make a move. He uses the Valentine party at school to make sure Tony and Sylvia start a relationship. When Tony asks Sylvia to have sex with him, Sylvia doesn’t know what to do. The situation at home has made her feel worthless. Will deepening her relationship with Tony make her problems at home go away?
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 audience see the consequences of both decisions and it is up to the viewer to decide what decision they hope they would make in life.
‘Many local campaigns promote abstinence on the part of learners,’ says Philippe Talavera, director, ‘but this is not always what happens in real life. The purpose of this story is to look at the consequences of deciding to go to the next level in a relationship. There is also a preconceived idea that problems only happen to players. But what about the normal guy? Or the shy guy? Can we blame it all on peer pressure, or are we ultimately responsible for the decisions we take?’
‘Deciding when is the right time to move a relationship forward is hard at any age, and even more so when you are a teenager. Many social problems in Namibia are related to relationship problems, including baby-dumping and gender-based violence. We made this film to encourage people to think about the consequences of their actions. We also want to encourage people to talk about problems in their relationships. One of the biggest problems Sylvia and Tony face is simply the fear of talking openly to each other’ says Dianne Hubbard, one of the producers of the film.
The making of the Think Twice package was a participatory process. A group of young people 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, the Kavango region and the Ohangwena region before being transformed into films. Almost 9000 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.
Two comments from youth who have seen the preview are given below:
The way that Sylvia was acting really shows what young people are doing nowadays.
learner, 18, learner, Ongha SSSThe play brought a good message for school learners, so that they can decide on what is really good for them.
learner, 19, Mwadikange Kaulinge SSAlso starring well-known Namibian writer and actor Josef Molapong, the film was shot on location at A. Shipena Secondary School. Well-known cameraperson Linda Louw was seconded by Matias Kamati. Wotjek Majewski did the sound, Vincent Mboku edited the movie and Sonja Majewski created the music. Philippe Talavera (OYO) directed the film, and shared responsibility for its production with Rachel Coomer and Dianne Hubbard (LAC). This film was made possible by the generous support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, HIVOS and the Ministry of Health and Social Services through the Global Fund Programme.
As part of the launch ceremony, the famous OYO dance troupe will perform ‘should I know?’, a short piece dealing with the angst of a young man who should go to the HIV text.So don’t miss the launch: A. Shipena Secondary School, Tuesday 14 June 2011 at 14h30 – Free entrance, all welcome.
For more information please contact:
Evelina Ashipala
Deputy Director
Ombetja Yehinga Organisation
evelina@ombetja.org
061 254915or
Rachel Coomer
Public Outreach Manager
Gender Research and Advocacy Project
Legal Assistance Centre
rcoomer@lac.org.naRead other Press Releases
