--
Director Maynaard Kraak discusses new rom com Vrou Soek Boer --
Tue, 04 Mar 2014 15:36
--
SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE: Maynaard 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 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.
Vrou Soek Boer was funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
Vrou Soek Boer 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
Related Articles
Vrou Soek Boer Subtitled TrailerNew Afrikaans-language film Vrou Soek Boer releases in South Africa on 7 March and in Australia at the end of March...
Read more...
First-time director for new Afrikaans romantic comedy I really like the romantic comedy genre, says first-time director Maynard Kraak who is at the helm of new Afrikaans movie Vrou Soek Boer...
Read more...
-- --
-- --
-- Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. comments powered by Disqus
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
15/07/2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a big deal for DAZN, which has distribution rights in three markets: Italy, Spain, and Japan. Each requires a different editorial app...
15/07/2026
As sports-media organizations manage rapidly growing content libraries and incre...
15/07/2026
HBS director of digital Johannes Franken talks SVG Europe through the operation built to serve FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders remotely from Stratford, east ...
15/07/2026
IBC has unveiled the conference program for IBC2026, with this year's event ...
15/07/2026
Software-defined wideband RF platform supports 96-kHz monitoring, streamlined fr...
15/07/2026
New AI-powered module enables broadcasters and content owners to extract dialogu...
15/07/2026
Weeklong gathering at EBU headquarters will test new IPMX capabilities and expand certified product ecosystem...
15/07/2026
Force Tech has announced the appointment of Bryan Adams, CTS, as Vice President of Integration. Adams will oversee AV and broadcast integration project delivery...
15/07/2026
USA Sports has announced an exclusive English-language agreement with the Bundes...
15/07/2026
ITV Sport's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage has been produced from one of the m...
15/07/2026
Program will provide professional camera kits, training, and technical support to participating local newsrooms...
15/07/2026
San Francisco church becomes first U.S. deployment of the 2 M/E production switcher...
15/07/2026
Former ESPN and NFL Network executive to advise startup league on media, distribution, technology, and fan engagement...
15/07/2026
The Houston-based RSN is the live-game home of the Astros and Rockets...
15/07/2026
Launched alongside new FreqSoft installer
Designed to bridge the gap between hardware and software, Freqport's FreqInOut FO1 unit provides a simple way ...
15/07/2026
Save up to 55% on software until 23 July 2026
Expressive E have just launched their Summer Offer sale, with discounts of up to 55% now applied across their ...
15/07/2026
Real-time stem-separation tool updated
zplane have recently released a new and improved version of their real-time stem-separation plug-in which they say ma...
15/07/2026
A new benchmark in bass enhancement
Described as a new benchmark in bass enhancement , Baby Audio's latest release has been designed to augment the lo...
15/07/2026
DMC Production's AR 1 and AR 2 units reverse the conventional OB workflow, keeping all production-critical processing at the venue while operators work remo...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
GigaCloud, a leading Ukrainian cloud service provider, and Cubbit, the first geo-distributed cloud storage enabler, today announced a new Business Alliance Part...
15/07/2026
SMPTE, the global society for media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has announced the launch of the SMPTE 110th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising...
15/07/2026
Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, unveils the new StudioComm Model 762 Stereo Level Control, ...
15/07/2026
COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Producer, Virtual Events (Hybrid | Full-time | ...
15/07/2026
Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...
15/07/2026
DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration.
Anyone w...
15/07/2026
BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Wednesday 15 July 2026
Screeners and press pack now available: Gomorrah: The Or...
15/07/2026
Trinity's Treasures features Ruth Negga, Eleanor McEvoy, and David Norris, a...
15/07/2026
Join geographer Dr Susan Hegarty, Engineer Tim Joyce and Architect Orla Murphy a...
15/07/2026
Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers, infrastructure builders and gaming, of course, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI - building across...
14/07/2026
South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...
14/07/2026
Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...
14/07/2026
Agreement spans sponsorship sales, digital monetization, radio production, and new practice facility naming rights...
14/07/2026
Independent league adds 14 regional sports network affiliates, growing distribut...
14/07/2026
New strategy aims to unify competitions, content, fan engagement, and commercial...
14/07/2026
ESPN and Disney+ become exclusive home of PFL events in key international MMA market...
14/07/2026
Gill will oversee engineering, technology, and sports operations across the company's 64 local television stations...
14/07/2026
Submitted by North American Broadcasters Association (NABA)
As broadcasters con...
14/07/2026
Modernized mobile unit combines HOME Apps, mc 56 console, and IP infrastructure ...
14/07/2026
Every match of the 32-team tournament will air across ION and Scripps Sports platforms in English and Spanish...
14/07/2026
FloHockey to stream every game of the annual international tournament under four...
-- 
