Ballade vir 'n Enkeling (2015)

After a prolific South African writer disappears, a journalist is motivated by ambition to uncover the writer's secret history.

Director:

Quentin Krog

Writer:

Leon van Nierop

Stars:

DonnaLee Roberts, Armand Aucamp, Rolanda Marais

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
DonnaLee Roberts	...	Carina Human (as Donnalee Roberts)
Armand Aucamp	...	Jacques Reynhard
Rolanda Marais	...	Lena Aucamp
Jacques Bessenger	...	Jan-Paul Otto
Cindy Swanepoel	...	Mysi Moolman
Zak Hendrikz	...	Gavin Greeff
Christia Visser	...	Lena Jnr
Edwin van der Walt	...	Jacques Jnr
Luan Jacobs	...	Jan-Paul Jnr
Miles Petzer	...	Gert Grové
Dorette Potgieter	...	Alicia Francke
Drikus Volschenk	...	Klaus Rynhard
Heléne Lombard	...	Liebet Rynhard
Boikie Pholo	...	Oupa Petrus
Gavin van den Berg	...	Mr. Oosthuizen

Storyline

Based upon the book written by South African author Leon van Nierop, and the 1980s TV series it spawned, this drama focuses on the mysterious disappearance of celebrated writer Jacques Rynhard (Armand Aucamp), and the investigative hunt for him launched by journalist Carina Human (DonnaLee Roberts). Christia Visser, Rolanda Marais and Jacques Bessenger co-star.

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Plot Keywords:

writer | journalist | disappearance | afrikaans | 

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Taglines:

Moenie dink nie, doen net

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Genres:

Mystery

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site (Afrikaans)

Country:

South Africa

Language:

Afrikaans English

Release Date:

20 March 2015 (South Africa)

Filming Locations:

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Factory, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

139 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Uitstekend

Ballade Vir 'n Enkeling is proof of the remarkable abilities of a new generation of Afrikaans filmmakers. For years the Afrikaner community has been overloaded with very mediocre movies. Ballade is a fresh breeze in an otherwise artistically defunct industry.

Veiled in mystery, we follow the complicated life of protagonist Jacques, a writer. His character is an exploration of the tragedy of loneliness. Once said of Ingrid Jonker, I echo this of Jacques: 'The artist, on his own, searches for reason in the tumultuous, ever-changing spiritual chaos of this world.'

The characters are written with sufficient depth (albeit that in certain personalities some overused stereotypes persist). As such, all that may be found wanting is resorting of the scriptwriter to some lines (fleeting luckily but still somewhat lazy) hallowed in cheap cliché's - undeserving of such an otherwise well-rounded film. The writer, it seems, sometimes forgot that he was the creator of real human beings (an essential trait for the gifted writer). Nevertheless, the actors and director cloud these trivialities with terrific performances.

Never before have I been so astounded by a local production. The director, cinematographer, actors, writer and the rest of the cast have created a true gem. Compared with international productions this film wouldn't stand out, but it'll hold its own weight none the less. Something that I cannot say of any other Afrikaans film.

Well done to the film-makers (especially the cinematographer). This is worth the watch.