Maria Sheya
The latest local film release, My F*k, Marelize!, dominated the box office last weekend, claiming the number one spot on the South African Top 10. This was despite stiff competition from international films, The Roses, Caught Stealing, and Afterburn.
This is the first Afrikaans film to open at number one since Pad Na Jou Hart in 2014. My F*k, Marelize! earned a 17% higher site average than Vir Die Voëls, the best-performing Afrikaans film since November 2016.
The film earned 24% of the weekend’s Top 10 in South Africa/Namibia, with 6.3% in Namibia, a record for Afrikaans-language films in the country.
For its opening weekend, this achieved an 89% increase compared to recent success stories, such as Kwiksilwers’ lead over Hans Steek Die Rubicon Oor by 147%. They are also 68% ahead of Dominee Tienie and 127% higher than Susters in three-day weekend takings.
The film, inspired by a true story that inspired a nation, is about Heidi, a resilient woman hiding her cancer affliction from her family, and Marelize, her accident-prone daughter who must learn to ride a bike to become an au pair in the Netherlands.
“The film has already earned R1 million at the box office – no mean feat, particularly notable in the current climate,” said Nicola Aurent, the executive head of programming at MultiChoice.
“We are delighted with the box office success of My F*k, Marelize! on its opening weekend and very proud of this film and thankful for the cooperation of the Namibian film industry and people for making it a reality. For a local film to be number one is excellent news for the local film industry and it again shows that MultiChoice’s investment in African stories and, in this case, also Afrikaans, is reaping the sweetest rewards.”
Helen Kuun, managing director of Indigenous Film Distribution and Development, agrees the film has performed exceptionally well: “My F*k, Marelize! is proof that even in a depressed economy, authentic, memorable, and moving stories will continue drawing audiences to cinema. Cinemagoers have voted by buying tickets, and the result speaks for itself.”
Reflecting on the story’s journey from viral meme to film, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) of South Africa’s head of industry development, Yolanda Ncokotwana said: “The NFVF is thrilled that Fiction Slate recipient Nagvlug Films has turned this hilarious moment into a heartwarming film about family, laughter and resilience.
My F*k, Marelize! proves that even the quirkiest moments can make big-screen magic. We are incredibly proud to support this power of collaboration between South Africa and Namibia”.
Commenting on the success of the film’s opening weekend, director and producer Zandré Coetzer said: “I am overjoyed at how well the film has performed. This shows once again that heartfelt stories matter, and audiences respond positively to everyday people doing extraordinary things.”
The film was shot in Namibia and has become popular among Namibian cinemagoers.
“It is humbling to see the film charm audiences at home,” concured Joel and Sophie Haikali, producers at Joe Vision Production, Namibia. “At a time when the world needs stories of love, hope and resilience, this film has so much resonance”.
“My F*k Marelize!” was written by Brett Michael Innes (Sink and Fiela se Kind) and directed by Zandré Coetzer (Mooiweer en Warm, Dinge Van ’n Kind), marking her feature film directorial debut. Zandré Coetzer (Nagvlug Films), Brett Michael Innes (Nostalgia Productions), Paulo Areal, Joel Haikali, and Sophie Haikali (Joel Vision Production) produced this South Africa/Namibia co-production, with Nagvlug Films, kykNET Films, MultiChoice Namibia, The National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa, Nostalgia Productions, and Joe Vision Production as partners.
-msheya@nepc.com.na