SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE: Maynard Kraak, the director of new Afrikaans romantic comedy Vrou Soek Boer, talks to Screen Africa about why he thinks the movie will be a success at the box office, the important role the casting played in anticipating the film’s success and the positive feedback he’s received from audiences.
“With Vrou Soek Boer, I set out to make a romantic comedy that stayed true to the genre, that was honest and rang true to the film’s core themes. It is also important to shift away from slapstick yet to remain within the commercial realm. My burning desire is for South African film to make that step forward, and for our audiences across the language and race demographic to be proud of our own stories brought to the screen,’ says Kraak.
He mentions that it is difficult to compare South African films to international movies to which we are accustomed. “Vrou Soek Boer is cinematic, even for a talking-heads genre like a rom com, and takes the viewer on a journey,’ Kraak continues. “The entertainment may be light, but the story maintains its integrity, and is always truthful. And you genuinely laugh out loud at the fresh dialogue and inventive characters. This is a story that is what it says on the can – it is a romantic comedy, in the true sense of the word.’
Competitive local landscape
In terms of financial viability in the competitive Afrikaans film landscape, Kraak says that his objective was to make a commercial feature film, which is why he chose to produce an Afrikaans film in the romantic comedy genre.
Comments Kraak: “The Afrikaans market was saturated last year, and with so many movies in cinemas, audiences were bound to more selective about what they chose to watch, resulting in many films failing at the box office. With this in mind, I knew that a good screenplay was not enough and that casting the movie with the correct mix of actors was always going to be critical. I had Lika Berning in mind for the lead role early on. Not only had I worked with her previously, but she had not been in a leading role since Liefling, the highest grossing Afrikaans film at the box office in recent history.’
He elaborates, “Next I had to cast the male romantic leads, and my first thought was Nico Panagio for whom I have the utmost respect as a film actor. Not only was he the lead in Semi-Soet, but his profile as one of the sexiest men in South Africa, convinced me that he was the right choice. Then to complete the love triangle, I had to bring in an actor with the same sex appeal and profile.
“After I saw Platteland, I knew that Bok van Blerk was the one. His understated and natural performance would work perfectly on the big screen. At the end of the day, the box office success will be determined by the public, but we stand a better chance with the stars we have in the film.’
Positive feedback
According to Kraak, test audiences provided only positive feedback, and the Johannesburg premiere of the film at Montecasino was a huge success. Says Kraak: “The audience loved the charming and funny characters, and particularly enjoyed the on-screen chemistry between the lead actors. Furthermore, there has been an electrifying buzz around the film particularly in the build up to the premiere, and subsequently, as we await the release of the picture. The response on social media has been incredible, and currently our Facebook followers number in excess of 13,400.’
Kraak comments that Vrou Soek Boer is essentially a universal story that will appeal across a wide spectrum. “It is your quintessential date movie, with a female protagonist who is thrust into a fish-out-of-water situation. Will she overcome the challenges a professional city girl will encounter in the countryside and will she find true love? There are many obstacles in her path to happiness, not least of all herself.’
Vrou Soek Boer was shot on the Red Epic with Anamorphic Prime lenses “to showcase South Africa’s beautiful locations. Add to that a fabulous soundtrack, and we have a thoroughly enjoyable picture that invites the audience to escape their daily grind, albeit for only a couple of hours. I trust though, that the film will dwell fondly in their memories for after that, and that the desire will be there to watch it again,’ concludes Kraak.
Kraak’s film was funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, the Gauteng Film Commission, the National Film and Video Foundation and the Industrial Development Corporation.
The movie was produced by Johannesburg-based West Five Films and screens nationwide in South Africa from Friday 7 March through Times Media Films.
Report by Martie Bester
