Namibian Feature Film, “Taste of Rain” premiere in WIndhoek

On 13 November, 20h00, Taste of Rain will have its Namibian premiere at the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN).nAfricAvenir, in cooperation with On Land Productions, the Filmmakers Association of Namibia (FAN) and the Namibia Film Commission (NFC) present the Namibian Premiere of Taste of Rain. nTaste of Rain will be screened as part of the Namibia Film Week’s cycle of screenings of Namibian films preceding the Namibia Theatre and Film Awards 2012.  
The premiere of Taste of Rain will take place on the 13 November at the NTN and followed by two further screenings: Tuesday 20th November, 20h00 at the Goethe-Centre Windhoek and on Wednesday 21st November, 18h00 at the FNCC. 
All screenings will include screenings of NFC produced Namibian short films. All three screenings are open to the public.nSynopsis/Background
Set on a farm in the southern Namib, the feature film is the story of one woman’s journey through drought, loss and love to healing.  nWritten and directed by Namibian filmmaker, Richard Pakleppa, Taste of Rain was made by caste and crew from Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Belgium and Germany.  Members of the caste and the crew will attend the premiere.nA seven-year drought beats down mercilessly on Rachel and her husband, Tomas, forcing him to leave her on the farm as he searches for water and grazing for their animals. Rachel remains on the farm with Ou Lena  who takes care of this dangerously fragile woman. When Ray, a water diviner sent by the drought relief program , arrives on the farm Rachel is angry and dismissive. For her, it’s too little, too late. But Ray is fascinated by this broken woman. He is an ex-guerilla from Namibia’s liberation movement, with his own stories of end-of-the-road drought. nAs an attraction develops between them, Rachel begins to feel herself again. She falls in love and believes she’s found an answer to living. But a chance meeting with Shaanika, a torturer who worked for the South African side during Namibia’s liberation war, injects a chilling reality into the unfolding love story. nNicola Hanekom, a two-time 2012 Fleur du Cap winner, puts in a searing performance in the leading role as Rachel. She is supported by Frieda Byl , 77,  in her first acting role.  Frieda Byl delivers performances unequalled in their naturalism and gravitas. 
Award-winning South African actor, Grant Swanby, plays Rachel’s husband as a weather-beaten Sysyphos whose looks speak volumes. Pope Jerrod plays the ex-guerrila commander turned water diviner with a physical charisma that is irresistible. David Ndjavera gives a chilling performance of an ex Koevoet torturer who crosses paths with one of his victims. Tuli Shityuwete appears in an unforgettable cameo role as a dancer whose movements trigger memories and take Rachel onto a path of healing. nTaste of Rain is a Namibian- South African-German co-production produced by Richard Pakleppa (On Land Productions, Namibia), Bridget Pickering (Luna Films, South Africa) and Oliver Stoltz  (Dreamer Joint Venture, Germany). n© Copyright AfricAvenir 2012n