ADRIANO VISAGIE WAS OUR HIGHLIGHT OF 2018

WE TALKING “SALUTE” the movie that got Adriano Visagie our very own son of the soil noticed in Nigeria. Written and directed by Phillipe Talavera for Ombetja Yainga Organization (OYO), Adriano plays Carlito, a young prisoner who needs to make difficult choices in prison, not knowing whether life was better in or out of prison.

Windhoek Blogger (WB): Adriano you are no new face to acting, one can refer to you as a veteran actor, Talk to us about the movie?

Adriano Visagie (AV): WOW! Veteran actor? I am still learning a lot about myself and discovering different acting techniques in perfecting my craft.

Salute is a movie that speaks to the young and old. A movie that will be here for a very long time to come, because of the impact it has on the youth and relates to the youth and crime rate. Prison is a topic we shy away from because we regard it as a place that is supposed to rehabilitate criminals but yet not realizing that it has its own systems.

The movie- it being my first film has surely made me want to do more and explore film more, although I come from a theater background.?

(WB): Who is Carlito

Carlito is an ambitious man that was only trying to survive and provide a better environment for his family. Sadly, the choices he made landed him in prison where he really just made worse/better depending on how you look at its choices for the sake of survival.


(WB): Talk to us your baby mama in the film?

(AV): Odile Gertze- she plays Julia, my baby mama. She is a dedicated partner and the mother to Carlitos child. She knew about the crime he was involved in but Carlito decided to take the blame on himself for the sake of his family.

(WB): One of the heart-breaking scenes was where Carlito get sentenced 5 years imprisonment. Carlito’s eyes were full of tears, it looked like he could burst into tears any given moment. Please share how you got it right to show emotions at the right time.

(AV): Studying Carlito’s character was a challenge because he was strong, yet vulnerable, and had mixed emotions. One thing for sure, Carlito wasn’t “street smart”.

The director tried to keep the storyline as authentic as possible hence we used the Windhoek Correctional Facility and the Katutura Magistrates court for this specific scene and being on the set
got me in the ‘right’ emotion to cry when needed to and be Carlito.

I think one could add that when you’re on set, you require a lot of focus and discipline.

(WB): If you could trade Carlito for a different role, what role would you rather had played and why?

Ha! Ha! Ha! Playing the general would have been a challenge as he had all this power, which is a natural instinct for any man, but I liked playing Carlito because towards the end he becomes just like all the other inmates and that means “survival mode” in prison terms.

(WB): Namibian Film and Theatre Award (NFTA) recognized your talent as the male actor of the year in 2018 and as a token of appreciation awarded you. What does this award mean to you?

(AV): I look at my award every day and for the longest time–I questioned whether I am worthy of it for various reasons as it was my first nomination whilst doing theater for 3 years.

We tend to question whether we are worthy of a nomination but that in itself recognized the craft, sacrifices and simply for developing art.
The nomination in itself was a very big win for me and then came the win. So, it recognized my work and is a token of appreciation for the art we create and simply a push to work harder.

I am forever thankful to Frederick Philander who directed the play “One flew over the cukoos nest…” he allowed us to explore our characters and just for simply driving theatre at all different levels.

(WB): Take us to Lagos, Nigeria? Share the outcome of the trip and some memories, please.

(AV): Our trip to Lagos for the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA ) 2018 was life-changing. I still don’t know how to allow it to sink in. The Nigerians are really hard at work in terms of Nollywood and making their industry grow. They have a market for developing film and what stood out for me was that their billboards, cinemas are filled with local content and artists. Moreover, their corporates invest a great deal in their local entertainment."  

The outcome for our film nominated in the category for Best Film Southern Africa was a win for us already. Malawi walked away with the title amongst five countries in the same category. The selections process was over 3000+ films submitted. A selection of which 80+ were selected to take part at the AMVCA 2018.

I would like to thank Ombetja Yainga Organisation and Air Namibia for making it possible for me.

(WB): According to the interview with Windhoek Observer Newspaper dated Sep 29, 2017, you talked about you being a full-time employee. Tell us how do you incorporate being an MC, Fashion Council of Namibia (FCN) board member, Radio and TV host and now an award-winning actor?

(AV): YES!! 😊It’s a lot of hard work, sleepless nights but if you are passionate about your craft, you need to work 3x harder to achieve it.

(WB): You joined radio Energy 100FM in 2013? Talk to us about a day you can't forget.

(AV): Hhmmmmm…I think when I started at the station I did the sports café with Leizy and the show being predominantly Oshiwambo speaking, it left me working twice as hard prepping for the show and also asking my football buddies about football, just to go repeat what they said on air. So, imagine I didn’t have a clue about football, yet killed a sports show. *wink* Talk about fake it till you make it ha! ha! ha!

(WB): You most definitely made it. Hahahaha. You became the character when you act, Tina is one hell of a character. What makes her happy? Can one compare Tina with Madea?

(AV): Tina is all about ENERGY! The crowd and simply being on stage. Madea teaches life lessons, Tina is a life lesson.

(WB): You give life to Tina on stage. What does it take to transition into Tina?

(AV): Trust me its not easy giving life to Tina. We had 4 weeks of intense rehearsals prior to our debut. I haven’t danced in 2 years and having choreographer Haymitch Olivier, had to teach me to dance, it wasn't quite comfortable embodying Tina. Wearing heels was a process. (I never played with heels). I am learning to perfect getting the process of getting into Tina’s underwear if you know what I mean trust me the worst part for me is make-up.

Aeron Jay and I would constantly argue as, the lashes and eye shadow and all the prep around it aren’t easy but hey, it’s showbiz!

(WB): Is there someone significant in your life? Who is this person and what makes the person the type of person you would want to be with now?

(AV): Yes. They love endlessly…hmmmmmmmmmm…

(WB): What’s the first thing you do when you get home after a long and busy day at work?

(AV): After work, I exercise or have a rehearsal but when I eventually get home, I pray and shower and cook a decent meal.

(WB): We have done more digging in your past then you think Adrie, and we have found that you volunteered at the Cancer Association of Namibia too, share the experience.

(AV): How do you know about this? SMILE! I lost a few people close to me to cancer and I volunteer and provide as much as I possibly can with the CAN also, I mentor 2 high school students, and volunteer weekends by cooking for charity.

(WB): What are your future plans?

(AV): Conquer the world and do that which resonates with my craft.

Thank you for agreeing to have this interview and we hope you do not become a stranger.