M-Net has commissioned My F*k, Marelize as a Namibian feature film based on the accident-prone Marelize Horn who went viral for her amateur video of riding a bike into a rugby pole.
My F*k, Marelize as a MultiChoice Namibia production will start
shooting in Namibia in September.
Set in Windhoek and inspired by the true events that
led up to the iconic 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.
My F*k, Marelize is written by Safta-winning screenwriter Brett Michael Innes, 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 young-adult novel by Marita van der
Vyver.
"The film is going to surprise everyone," says Brett Michael 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."
Zandré Coetzer says "This story is a
celebration of life - 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."
My F*k, Marelize is a Namibian and South African co-production and a collaboration with Windhoek-based producers Joel Haikali and Sophie
Haikali from Joe Vision Productions and the Cape Town production companies Nagvlug Films and Nostalgia Productions.
Paulo Areal rounds out the producing team with financing from the National
Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), kykNET Films and MultiChoice Namibia.
Waldimar Pelser, M-Net channel director for premium channels, says "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".
Joel Haikali says "This lively
Namibia-South Africa co-production is a love letter to Windhoek life".
"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."
Marelize Horn says "It's crazy how this
keeps growing. 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."
