Makaku is back baby

If opportunity comesf, grab it and that’s exactly what northern-based actor Option Amupolo did. To date the young entrepreneur and Oshiwambo filmmaker has made three movies thus far starting with only his passion for the industry and acting as a career. Option who is better known as Mangodjolo from his first project From Thug Life to Born Again sat down with tjil over a cup of coffee on a wintery morning to chat about his latest project, where it’s found and what to expect next.
Option has been acting since 2011 and he says it’s the best thing that happened to him. “I started acting because I was inspired by the fact that the movie industry is quite small and I saw that as an opportunity,” said Option. He grew up in a northern village called Oshipumbu Shomugongo and he says as a child he always loved acting. When he completed his high school, he tackled his acting journey. Option did not attend any acting lessons; he only uses his God-given talent. “There are people like businessman Panamo and my producer Kappa who have always been by my side both financially and emotionally from the beginning. They saw my talent and decided to invest in it,” said a grateful Option. All of Option’s movies were shot at different locations in Oshakati.
Option’s latest project is titled Iihuna kombadayevi Part One by Makaku, which when translated from Oshiwambo means there is a lot idiocy in the world. “Makaku is a name given to ugly old protective clothing that was worn back in the day. My aim for the project is to give a bad image to people that do the bad things that are portrayed in the movie itself. The movie is all about the negative things that money can make a person do. You find two people that have been together for a long time loving each other through everything, but when the one partner gets a job or money they start acting funny forgetting that they have been through thick and thin. I want to leave the audience knowing that they shouldn’t let money come between them and their partners,” said Option. The movie was shot within a month. Option says his favourite scene from the movie was when he and his wife went to his elder brother’s house to stay for a while but his brother didn’t welcome them and instead sent them to go fend for themselves instead of depending on people all the time. “It’s my favourite scene because there is a deep lesson and message in it.”
Option got a little bit upset when asked on his thoughts on the Namibian film industry. “We as Namibian actors feel jealous when we see the musicians getting recognition. We don’t have a platform to showcase our talent and we also don’t have awards ceremonies to motivate us at all. Whoever is in charge needs to step up their game. Not all artists went to music school but they are succeeding today. If we get noticed it would be nice for a change.”
The movie is sold countrywide including Mono Music Shop in Windhoek, in Walvis Bay at Mr Hangala and in Rundu. The actors that star in the film have no background in acting and most of them are first-timers. “I also give my actors copies to sell and whatever they make is theirs. The video is available for between N$100 to N$120 depending on the retailer.
June Shimuoshili