Directed by Hillary Shiimi and written by Jason Kooper based on a story by the Women’s Leadership Centre (WLC), the film stars Diana Master (Uno) and Uakamburuavi Jeomba (Hatago) as a young lesbian couple working to achieve their dreams, despite prejudice, socio-cultural challenges and violence. ‘Uno & Hatago’ is produced by the WLC, and the organisation’s director, Liz Frank, acts as the film’s producer. “Six powerful women conceptualised the story: Toshi Haufiku, Florence /Khaxas, Revonia April, Liz Frank, Irene Garoës and Hillary Shiimi,” says Shiimi, who will be making her directorial debut.
“The film is evidence of the courage, creativity and pride of young lesbian women who came together to share their experience, realities, pain and joy to create this amazing film,” she says. As the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and other (LGBTQI+) community in Namibia continues to fight for the recognition of their human rights and hate speech and violence increase in the wake of affirming court judgements, ‘Uno & Hatago’ premieres during a significant time. “I believe ‘Uno & Hatago’ is relevant today, especially with the homophobic bills that were submitted to the parliament and with the sodomy law as well as the Marriage Act court cases,” says Kooper.
“Aside from these cases, this is the first time (local) lesbian women will get to see themselves on screen, which is a win because representation matters.” According to Shiimi,.
