Environment minister checks up on ‘Mummy’ shoot

The minister of environment and tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, will visit the filming location of ‘The Mummy’ in the Namib Desert this weekend.
Shifeta told Namibian Sun that he will be accompanied by representatives of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.
At a recent press conference Shifeta set minds at ease that the movie being filmed in the Dorob National Park would not cause the same environmental destruction as was reported during the production of the fourth Mad Max film.
Much of the filming of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ in 2012 was based in the Dorob National Park near Swakopmund. Afterwards, shocking details of environmental damage emerged, pointing to poor regulation and monitoring by the authorities.
Shifeta said his ministry gave environmental clearance for the filming of ‘The Mummy’ based on an environmental impact assessment and environmental management plan.
He added that most of the locations are in areas already disturbed, such as old mines. The filmmakers also undertook to rehabilitate the areas once they are done.
Shifeta said feature films shot in Namibia are a great way of marketing the country.
He referred to the fact that actors such as Sofia Boutella have shared photos on Twitter describing how beautiful Namibia is and how great the people here are.
Boutella tweeted on 9 August: “What a glorious way to wrap this picture! Here in Namibia in the middle of the oldest desert in the world.”
Over 600 people are involved with the production of ‘The Mummy’, which includes crew and actors from abroad – mostly England, the US and South Africa. About 200 Namibians are involved too.
“Namibia has welcomed us with open arms. Only because of the amazing hardworking Namibian crew and the warm hospitality we receive from them and the community are we able to accomplish the work at hand,” said producer Sean Daniel in a statement.
‘The Mummy’ is directed by Alex Kurtzman, from a script by Jon Spaihts. The film stars Tom Cruise, Annabelle Wallis, Jake Johnson, Marwan Kenzari, Courtney B. Vance, Russell Crowe and Sofia Boutella as the iconic creature now revealed to be an ancient queen.
Filming of ‘The Mummy’ will be wrapped up on 15 August.

ELLANIE SMIT