My F*k, Marelize feature film to start shooting in Namibia in September
Set in the capital of Namibia, Windhoek, and inspired by the true events that led up to the now infamous rugby pole incident, the film follows the accident-prone Marelize Horn as she prepares to become an au pair in the Netherlands and her mother, Heidi Horn, as she handles a cancer diagnosis. This is all set against the backdrop of WIKA, the annual Windhoek Carnival.
Written by Safta-winning screenwriter Brett Michael Innes (Sink, Fiela se kind), the film marks the feature film debut of Zandré Coetzer, a television director on the South African hit series Dinge van ’n kind, based on a beloved YA novel by Marita van der Vyver. Coetzer is also known for her producing work on the mini-series Donkerbos, which won five Safta Awards and was sold internationally.
“This film is going to surprise everyone,” says Innes. “When people think of a movie based on the phrase ‘my f*k, Marelize’, they’re probably expecting a slapstick comedy about a teenager who bumps into things all the time. The story of the Horn family has so much more depth than that, and we can’t wait to surprise viewers with it.”
“This story is a celebration of life,” says director Coetzer. “A showcase of how our people in Namibia and South Africa greet every challenge with a joke and face it with laughter. I was fortunate to spend time with the Horn family and witnessing their dynamic as a unit gave me such a clear vision for the film. As an Afrikaner, it is really special to be able to celebrate my language, culture and people in a story that speaks to our humour and way of doing life.”
A Namibian and South African co-production, the film is a collaboration with Windhoek-based producers Joel Haikali and Sophie Haikali from Joe Vision Productions (co-producers of 2024 Berlinale-selected Pepe) and the Cape Town production companies Nagvlug Films and Nostalgia Productions. Paulo Areal (Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story, Five Fingers for Marseilles) rounds out the producing team with financing from the National Film & Video Foundation, kykNET Films and MultiChoice Namibia.
“kykNET is deeply rooted in Namibia, and we take great pride to be able to support not just any co-production with strong Namibian ties, but this one – a story full of pathos and humour with a unique local character,” says Waldimar Pelser, M-Net Channel Director: Premium Channels.
“The My F*k, Marelize production will be an incredibly exciting addition to the local content MultiChoice Namibia is already creating for our DStv, GOtv and Showmax offerings,” says Roger Gertze, MultiChoice Namibia Managing Director, “More specifically because it speaks to our local content strategy and to our continuous ambitions to see more Namibian based content on our screens. We couldn’t be prouder to be at the centre of the growing creative industry and to be the conduit that takes Namibia to the World.”
“This lively Namibia-South Africa co-production is a love letter to Windhoek life,” says producer Joel Haikali. “It celebrates our quirky Namibian charm and vibrant spirit with plenty of humour and our very own delicious flavour of Afrikaans. It’s a film for the entire family, and we are very excited to be a part of it!”
The Horn family, made up of Marelize, Heidi, Tiaan and Wilmari, have been present since the start of the film development. They opened their homes and lives to the production team. Filming is set to start in September.
“It’s crazy how this keeps growing,” says Marelize Horn. “When I got a random Facebook message from Brett last year about wanting to make a film about our family, I didn’t know quite what to expect. Now they’re about to start filming, and I can’t wait to see how our experience is brought to life.”