Zandélle, Marelize unpack parallel realities of ‘My F*k, Marelize’

MY F*K, Marelize, a 19-second clip that went viral six years ago, has been adapted into a feature film, which premiered in cinemas across South Africa and Namibia on Friday.

- DEBASHINE THANGEVELO

While the video had everyone in stitches and has since become a catchphrase for any public blunders, the story behind it is poignant. Brett Michael Innes, a passionate filmmaker and storyteller, felt strongly about sharing the deeper narrative.

Filmed in Namibia, the story is set against the backdrop of WIKA, which is the annual Windhoek Carnival.

At the heart of it is Heidi (Je-ani Swiegelaar), the matriarch of the Horn family. A strong-willed woman, she loves her family and, like every mom, she wants the best for her children: Marelize (Zandélle Meyer) and her older sister, Wilmari (Nichola Viviers).

However, her decision to keep her cancer battle a secret from her daughters backfires on her.

At its heart, the story is a dramatic, heartfelt, and humorous unfolding of events.

I managed to steal the real Marelize Horn and Meyer, the actress who plays her, at the recently held 13th Silwerskerm festival.

Meyer, who walked away with the Best Supporting Actress honours for My F*k, Marelize at the kykNET Silwerskerm Awards for Film and TV, was chuffed to make her movie debut in such a prominent project.

She recalled, “I finished on Wyfie and then I got this brief saying they are making a film about My F*k, Marelize. I saw Brett's name and Nagvlug Films, and I was like, I'm going to audition for this role, and I'm gonna give it my all”

It clearly paid off because she clinched the part.

Meyer revealed that at the table read, director Zandré Coetzer gave them insight into the Horn family, their quirks and how Marelize and her sister would dress up matchy-matchy.