Homegrown movie 'The Long Road' generates big buzz
Premieres on Saturday
Desert Films makes a triumphant return with its newest release, 'The Long Road', premiering this Saturday, 24 January, on DSTV.
Shot entirely in Namibia with local talent, the film has already sparked excitement online, with the trailer generating buzz across social media.
Director Erol Geingob and producer Josefine Geingob recently shared insights into the making of their film.
“The Long Road was inspired by real-life situations and stories I've seen over the years of men who are striving to live, provide and heal while carrying unresolved scars from the past," Erol said.
"The story is incredibly personal to me, and it has been with me for almost five years.”
He added that the film investigates the effects of paternal absence and how an emotional gap follows a boy into adulthood.
It aims to depict “the narrative of an ordinary working-class man, not a hero, who is severely flawed yet deserving of forgiveness”, Erol added.
He said it was vital to demonstrate that healing is a journey and that "the path to becoming a better man and father can be long, painful, and uncertain but necessary".
The director revealed that the biggest creative challenge was “achieving the appropriate emotional balance of telling a grounded, genuine story without getting too heavy or hopeless.”
The film explores grief, failure and regret but also carries moments of optimism and humanism.
The craft of telling stories
Erol said his direction focused on letting “silence, body language and the surroundings say as much as dialogue”, while collaborating closely with the cast.
When it came to working with the actors, he focused on trust and vulnerability.
He explained that before stepping on set, the cast spent time “talking about the characters’ backstories, who they are, where they came from and what emotional scars they bear.” He encouraged actors “to draw on real-life experiences and observations, particularly those involving family, loss and responsibility.”
On set, he allowed them to explore moments naturally rather than imposing performances, resulting in honest, multidimensional performances with which the audience can relate on a personal level.
Diana Master, an actor in the movie, explained the pre-filming process for the cast.
“There wasn't a lot of time to prepare for the role, so upon getting the script, our director had us write letters. For example, I had to write a letter to Martin (my husband in the movie), and he had to write one to me so we could see if we understood the story,” she said.
Commenting on what attracted her to the role, she said: “This was my first time playing a supportive wife in a movie and my first time playing such a role. This role was challenging for me in the sense that it was emotional. This is somebody I am not in real life, and it's a character I never played.”
Deeply human elements
From the producer Josefine Geingob’s perspective, Desert Films joined the project organically.
She said they are drawn to stories that are “honest, socially relevant and deeply human.”
What stood out about 'The Long Road' script was the emotional truth of the story and its strong Namibian identity, working a tale rooted in everyday struggles, fatherhood, responsibility, and redemption told from a class perspective, she noted.
They saw a project "not only achievable within our context but also meaningful and capable of connecting with audiences beyond Namibia, making it a natural fit for Desert Films.”
For Desert Films, 'The Long Road' represents growth, resilience and consistency.
“We have been in the industry for over two decades, and 'The Long Road' reflects our commitment to telling authentic Namibian stories that speak to broader African realities,” the producer noted.
Shot entirely in Namibia with local talent, the film has already sparked excitement online, with the trailer generating buzz across social media.
Director Erol Geingob and producer Josefine Geingob recently shared insights into the making of their film.
“The Long Road was inspired by real-life situations and stories I've seen over the years of men who are striving to live, provide and heal while carrying unresolved scars from the past," Erol said.
"The story is incredibly personal to me, and it has been with me for almost five years.”
He added that the film investigates the effects of paternal absence and how an emotional gap follows a boy into adulthood.
It aims to depict “the narrative of an ordinary working-class man, not a hero, who is severely flawed yet deserving of forgiveness”, Erol added.
He said it was vital to demonstrate that healing is a journey and that "the path to becoming a better man and father can be long, painful, and uncertain but necessary".
The director revealed that the biggest creative challenge was “achieving the appropriate emotional balance of telling a grounded, genuine story without getting too heavy or hopeless.”
The film explores grief, failure and regret but also carries moments of optimism and humanism.
The craft of telling stories
Erol said his direction focused on letting “silence, body language and the surroundings say as much as dialogue”, while collaborating closely with the cast.
When it came to working with the actors, he focused on trust and vulnerability.
He explained that before stepping on set, the cast spent time “talking about the characters’ backstories, who they are, where they came from and what emotional scars they bear.” He encouraged actors “to draw on real-life experiences and observations, particularly those involving family, loss and responsibility.”
On set, he allowed them to explore moments naturally rather than imposing performances, resulting in honest, multidimensional performances with which the audience can relate on a personal level.
Diana Master, an actor in the movie, explained the pre-filming process for the cast.
“There wasn't a lot of time to prepare for the role, so upon getting the script, our director had us write letters. For example, I had to write a letter to Martin (my husband in the movie), and he had to write one to me so we could see if we understood the story,” she said.
Commenting on what attracted her to the role, she said: “This was my first time playing a supportive wife in a movie and my first time playing such a role. This role was challenging for me in the sense that it was emotional. This is somebody I am not in real life, and it's a character I never played.”
Deeply human elements
From the producer Josefine Geingob’s perspective, Desert Films joined the project organically.
She said they are drawn to stories that are “honest, socially relevant and deeply human.”
What stood out about 'The Long Road' script was the emotional truth of the story and its strong Namibian identity, working a tale rooted in everyday struggles, fatherhood, responsibility, and redemption told from a class perspective, she noted.
They saw a project "not only achievable within our context but also meaningful and capable of connecting with audiences beyond Namibia, making it a natural fit for Desert Films.”
For Desert Films, 'The Long Road' represents growth, resilience and consistency.
“We have been in the industry for over two decades, and 'The Long Road' reflects our commitment to telling authentic Namibian stories that speak to broader African realities,” the producer noted.
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