My F*k Marelize! tops the Box Office

The latest local film release, My F*k, Marelize!, shot the lights out at the box office this past weekend taking the number one spot on the South African Top 10.

This despite strong competition from international releases, The Roses, Caught Stealing and Afterburn.

This is the first Afrikaans film to open at number one since the Ivan Botha/DonnaLee Roberts helmed Pad Na Jou Hart (2014).

My F*k, Marelize! earned a 17% higher site average than Vir Die Voëls, the best performing Afrikaans title in cinemas pre-covid since November 2016.

My F*k, Marelize! earned 24% of the weekend’s Top 10 business in South Africa/Namibia and delivered an impressive 6,3% of its total takings in Namibia, equally setting a new record for the percentage takings in Namibia for an Afrikaans language title for some time.

For its opening weekend this translated to an 89% uplift to the opening weekend of the recent success stories like Kwiksilwers and a 147% lead on Hans Steek Die Rubicon Oor.

Other benchmarks include 68% ahead of Dominee Tienie and 127% over Susters for the respective 3-day weekend takings.

Based on a true story that inspired a nation, the film is a coming-of-age story about Heidi, a strong-willed woman hiding her cancer from her family, and Marelize, her accident-prone daughter who needs to learn how to ride a bike in order 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,” says Nicola Aurent, 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, MD of Indigenous Film Distribution and Development agrees that the film has performed particularly 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 their tickets and the result speaks for itself.”

Reflecting on the journey of the story from viral meme to film, The National Film and Video Foundation 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/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 on location in Namibia and has been embraced by Namibian cinemagoers holding the number one position at both Ster-Kinekor The Grove and Maerua Mall in Windhoek. “It is humbling to see the film charm audiences at home”, concur 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) serve as producers for this South Africa/Namibia co-production, produced by Nagvlug Films in association with kykNET Films, Multichoice Namibia, The National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa, Nostalgia Productions and Joe Vision Production.

My F*k, Marelize! stars Namibian-born actress, Je-ani Swiegelaar (Pad na Jou Hart, Vuil Wasgoed), Zandelle Meyer (Suidooster, Wyfie), Neels Clasen (Hunting Jessica Brok, Raaiselkind) and Nichola Viviers (Nuwejaar and Meisiekind). The film is distributed locally by Indigenous Film Distribution and Development.