
--
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 ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
28/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/04/2026
Introducing Nx 3-Strip v2 - A Physics-Based Technicolor Reconstruction for DaVin...
27/04/2026
CES Power, a provider of infrastructure for live events, has announced the acquisition of three Ireland-based businesses: GH Energy Rental Ltd, Event Power, and...
27/04/2026
FuboTV Inc. has announced it is developing its Multiview feature for the Fubo streaming service on select LG TVs, including 2024, 2025, and newer 4K and 8K mode...
27/04/2026
Shade, a file management platform for creative teams, has announced a $14 million funding round led by Khosla Ventures, Construct Capital, and Bling Capital, br...
27/04/2026
The Audio Engineering Society (AES) will present the Immersive Audio Academy 12th Edition - Immersive Audio in All Flavors - on April 30, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ...
27/04/2026
DAZN has announced DAZN48, a creator program for the FIFA World Cup 2026 that will recruit 48 creators - one representing each of the 48 qualified nations - to ...
27/04/2026
FloSports has announced exclusive streaming rights to four CrossFit competitions: Legends Del Mar: CrossFit Semi-Finals, Magic City Games, NorCal Classic, and t...
27/04/2026
Telestream has announced that Pulse, its software-defined test and measurement p...
27/04/2026
Shade has announced it is a Cloud Computing and Storage winner in the 2026 NAB Show Product of the Year Awards. Winners were selected by a panel of industry exp...
27/04/2026
Leading the NBA's video-ads platform, this Penn State grad is at the forefro...
27/04/2026
DAZN has expanded its international broadcast rights for the T100 Triathlon World Tour to include Africa. All races from the T100 calendar will be available for...
27/04/2026
NAB Show has announced the recipients of its 2026 Project of the Year and Product of the Year Awards at a ceremony at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Each wi...
27/04/2026
DIRECTV has launched on Meta Quest headsets, becoming the first MVPD to offer live TV through the platform. The timing coincides with the stretch run of the MLB...
27/04/2026
TBL Team Boxing League has announced a broadcast agreement with MSG Networks to air all remaining Season 4 fights live across MSG's television and digital p...
27/04/2026
IP integration, interoperability, growth of intercommunications were key concerns for vendors and visitors alike
Attendees at the recently concluded 2026 NAB S...
27/04/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
27/04/2026
A pro-audio emphasis, spectrum changes, and on-field audio mark the new products and enhancements to existing offerings
Microphones remain the primary point of...
27/04/2026
The Sports Video Group team was all over the NAB Show floor out in Las Vegas las...
27/04/2026
N r Spotify grundades f r 20 r sedan dominerades musikmarknaden av illegal nedladdning. Sedan dess har streaming bidragit till att teruppr tta betalningsvilja...
27/04/2026
Time on Spotify should feel meaningful and intentional, not something that slips...
27/04/2026
New modular multi-effects plug-in revealed
The latest plug-in from Brainworx delivers a modular set of effects designed to offer a convenient alternative to...
27/04/2026
Kit includes supercardioid & shotgun capsules
High-end mic manufacturer Schoeps have recently introduced another member of their Desert Island Set family. O...
27/04/2026
LA2A-inspired 500-series module arrives
Sound Skulptor have announced the upcoming launch of a new 500-series module that aims to recreate one of the most p...
27/04/2026
SSL-inspired compressor unit upgraded
Stam Audio are well known for their painstaking recreations of vintage audio gear, with their extensive product range ...
27/04/2026
Available for current Nielsen ONE Ads customers, this new capability predicts sa...
27/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
27/04/2026
Nippon TV's In-House Proprietary AI Solution AiDi Wins Product of the Year A...
27/04/2026
Outpost Introduces Unlimited Collaboration Model for Review and Approval Workflo...
27/04/2026
Ikegami Announces VFE-P07D Monocular OLED Viewfinder with Tiltable 3.5-inch LCD ...
27/04/2026
Custom Consoles announces the completion of a large Module-R desk and MediaWall monitor display mount for an expanded master control room at Gravity Medias West...
27/04/2026
Other World Computing Launches OWC Express 4M2 Ultra - Thunderbolt 5 Four-Slot N...
27/04/2026
Back to All News
Netflix announces El sobrino, the new film by Dami n Szifron s...
27/04/2026
Red Seat Ventures Announces Exclusive Multiyear Partnership with Kill Tony The Company is the New Monetization and Distribution Home for the Globally Popula...
27/04/2026
RT 2FM is calling on aspiring DJs across Ireland to take their shot at the spot...
27/04/2026
RT continues to champion Ireland's creative life this May, supporting a broad range of festivals, exhibitions and performances across music, theatre, liter...
26/04/2026
Back to All News
Director Yoon Jong-bin Returns with The Generals' (WT), A...
26/04/2026
Back to All News
Nine Queens, Starring Alvaro Morte and Patrick Criado, Starts ...
25/04/2026
In the heart of Mexico City, music, culture, and fashion converged last night as Spotify and Vogue Latin America welcomed guests to an intimate gathering at Soh...