Kapana

In Namibia, where sodomy is still a crime, 2 men hook up after a meeting at a bar. George is an office worker in a reasonably liberal social circle, while Simeon is a lower-class entrepreneur working a kapana (grilled meat) stand. With a series of coincidences, they reconnect and fall in love, despite Simeon's wariness about being outed.

This is a bold film from Namibia, a good story, well acted. My quibbles include the coincidences (though the story depends on them), and the shortness of the film (only 61 minutes).

This outstanding little film has a big impact. It really did deserve a review because it packed so much into a one hour running time. The topics of homosexuality, HIV and it's treatment, safe sex, internalised homophobia and family are all dealt with in this scenario. The acting is more than adequate, production values are excellent and the story is well researched and the love story is realistic.

George and Simeon will take you along with them on their journey so just sit back and enjoy. Exellent film.

I really didn't know what to expect from the film at all as I began to watch. My first impression was that Namibian guys are hunks! But let's get serious.

That's just what the film did on occasion. There were darker aspects to the relationship between George and Simeon caused by the homophobia in society as well as local laws outlawing gay sex.

At other times, it was clear to me that the film was pushing a public health message - condoms were prominently used, characters spoke about AIDS being a manageable disease, one character explained to another in a scholarly way about the benefits of PrEP. These interludes, although part of the structure of the film, jarred somewhat with the general hedonism of the two groups of young people, Simeon and his loud, macho mates and George with his liberal, office worker friends and accepting family. Until I saw the end credits that revealed that the film had been part funded by an HIV organisation, I'd really wondered what was going on there.

The sky's the limit for people with a bit of income in Windhoek. The youth portrayed in the film were enjoying their time off. It looks like a nice place. But there was always the dark side - gay sex was secret and furtive and it was obviously frowned on except by some liberal members of society.

The film was an hour long which was just right. About half of it is subtitled into English. Cast members switched languages effortlessly.

OK, it's a bit rough round the edges and the acting was a little raw in places, but I really do recommend this.