Local actor goes back to school
HELDERKRUIN – Local actor, Jakkie Groenewald, goes back to school for his latest role.
Actor and local resident, Jakkie Groenewald, was taken back to his own school days in his latest role in Vir Die Voëls.
The film, which drew in more than R3 million in its first 10 days of being released, is inspired by a true story set in the 70s about Irma Humpel, played by Simone Nortmann, a surly tomboy who ends up marrying the boy who teased her throughout her childhood. The love story explores inner-conflict and preventing circumstantial and emotional baggage from destroying future relationships or happiness.
Groenewald was contacted by the film’s producers to play the part as a teacher. He was delighted to get the part even though it was a small role and did not stop him from portraying ‘the irate teacher’ to the fullest.
He described the atmosphere on the set as very relaxed. “I enjoyed working with younger people. [The film] encompassed the 70s securely with good characterisation by the actors portraying a sincere and heartwarming story.”
Groenewald started acting professionally in 1975 and has appeared in about 145 film and television productions to date, including international films such as Invictus, Skin for BBC, Mrs Mandela, Winnie and LadyGrey directed by French director Alain Croqhuart.
Vir Die Voëls was produced in association with kykNET Films by The Film Factory with a cast that includes the likes of Nicola Hanekom, Neels van Jaarsveld, Drikus Volschenk, Leandry Smith, Liam Bosman, Lara Kinnear, Candice Kruger and Bennie Fourie.
