By Neo Kolane
Twenty-seven-year old Katleho Lephema, of Khubetsoana just outside Maseru has moved up a notch, reaping the fruits of graduating from actor to becoming a proud owner of a film production which he established in 2018. The name of the company is Mountain Range Motpics.
Lephema started off as an actor with the help of his cousin, Khauhelo Lephema who is an actor and director of several locally produced films.
Speaking with theReporter this week, Lephema said he used to watch films with his cousin and they would identify and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each movie.
“It all started in 2018 when my love for directing actually burgeoned. I would go to the sets of movies scenes he directed, ‘The Curse’ being one of them.
“I learned a lot of stuff from taking in all that was happening there. And ‘Koarantine’ happened,” the budding film boss said.
‘Koarantine’, a movie Lephema directed is about two friends. One comes from South Africa and crosses illegally then his friend welcomes him and tells him all he needs to know about preventing COVID-19; the friend then goes into quarantine.
The movie, which is a comedy, was produced in November 2020.
“People love it; not only that, but people who study film have actually stated that the directing of the film is excellent.”
Lephema – who acted in a movie called ‘Mosuoe’ – stated that Mountain Range Motpics has produced three films, but all of them are yet to be released; they are due to come out this month or early February.
“There are a number of films to be made. The aim here is not about money or fame, but raising the profile of the industry in Lesotho. Our aim is to revolutionize the industry. To be a director, you need to be able to think outside the box.
“I have directed films because I come up with different ideas, and veterans of the industry love them,” he told this publication.
