Get to know the brains behind Namibia’s original film
If you have not watched the Namibian popular web series, Ompata, then you have most probably seen him behind the turntables at a party or have heard the name “Pequeno Gang”
Tell us about yourself My name is Roger Rafael. I was born and raised in Windhoek, Namibia. My parents are from Angola though and I am currently attending Cape Town school of Film SAE.
What is Ompata and what is it about Ompata is a Namibian action web series, that my friends and I came up with to entertain people during the lockdown and quarantine. Ompata basically means shady, evil, bad, and anything related to that. It is about Doggas, who after ten years of being locked up, is released and goes out in search for his drug dealing ally, Paxa, who is also the reason he was in prison.
How long have you been filming? Since 2020. Before covid we had a few short films then we stopped for about a year or two and now we are back. We’ve made approximately five or six short films now.
When did you realise filming was what you wanted to do? I’ve always liked telling stories basically. In primary school, as homework we were asked to write an essay on how we spent our holidays. I remember that I had not done it so when I was called upfront, I lied about everything. That’s when I realised that I could make something out of this. I’ve always had a passion for filming.
What else are you interested in apart from filming?
I’m into music, I make beats and rap sometimes. None of my music is out though, my focus is solely filming. I’m also into fashion.
Looking at Namibian music videos and films, what are your critiques? All I can say is that we are headed in the right direction
What or who inspires you? My dad and new scenery. There’s so much creativity in cape town. I’m not inspired by anyone from the internet, they only sell dreams.
Some of your scenes have guns in them, have you ever used one? Never
Where do you see yourself in five years? I’m only focusing on the present. The future is so unpredictable, I don’t want to set goals, I want to chill in the present.
What excites you most about filming? I can get creative with whatever script is given to me. Not every film maker has creative freedom.
Did you know? He changed schools a lot as a child because of the type of friends he hung out with He was always camera shy until one of the crew members didn’t show up and he had to step in for him Ompata is shot using phones only
Watch Ompata on YouTube now https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFVhGALlEt_HyQ5o-gaqvA/featured
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