Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation

Namibia, 2007, 161 min
In English and Oshiwambo with English subtitles

Directed By: Charles Burnett
Writer: Charles Burnett
Producers: Abius Akwaake, Steve Gukas
Executive Producer: Uazuva Kaumbi
Cinematographer: John Njaga Demps
Editor: Edwin Santiago
Music: Stéphen James Taylor
Cast: Carl Lumbly, Danny Glover, Joel Haikali, Chrisjan Appollus, Obed Emvula, Lazarus Jacobs, Thereza Kahorongo

Charles Burnett's latest feature tells the story of the first president of Namibia, Sam Nujoma, charting his political awakening and his part in his country's fight for its freedom from occupation by South Africa. Rather than a documentary-style history of the long and brutal conflict, the film mixes real and composite characters to explore the spirit and sacrifices of the struggle that culminated in independence in 1990. Covering over 60 years of history, Namibia details Nujoma's youth, starting from age 14, and the events, people, and places that shaped his political consciousness and made him the uncompromising man of action he was to become.

Based on Nujoma's autobiographical book Where Others Wavered, Burnett's film was the result of an unusual artistic collaboration. Financed by the Namibian government, it includes over 150 speaking roles in multiple languages and dialects, played by both seasoned talent such as Danny Glover and Carl Lumbly as well as local non-professionals. The crew, led by a skeletal American team, was comprised of both South African and Namibian members, including former soldiers from both countries who had been on opposite sides of the conflict not so many years before.

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