press kit - Wonderphil Productions

What was the biggest challenge for you?Trusting Regardt when he said that a scene was good andthat I did well. I am still really inexperienced and a bit ofa confidence player, so I needed constant reassurance thatmy idea and portrayal was spot on. Frans and I have manysimilarities, so I was able to colour the character’s throughtsand actions from my own experience.Describe working with Regardt van den BergThis was not just my first leading role in a feature film, butalso the first film that I helped to write and produce withCobus and Jorrie. A host of firsts. Therefore it was vital thatwe had an experienced person at the helm, someone I couldtrust with the story. It was a privilege to work with such alegend and something that made the experience of makingKlein Karoo so much more special.Tell us a bit about Cybil’s drive to make a difference inher community and also Kaapland Films’ effort to makea lasting difference in the community where the filmwas shot.This was one of our non-negotiables from the outset. Wedidn’t want to simply make another film, with pretty peopleand a nice story. Even though it is a fully commercial film,we wanted to give the film a conscience. We all believe thatstories, even simple ones like this, can inspire people to bemore, to better themselves, to live lives with meaning.What is the most lasting experience of shooting KleinKaroo? Any anecdotes?The look on Jaco Smit, our ADs face every time Donnaleehad to race towards me with her car and we kept askinghim if she could not come a little closer before swerving out.Donnalee’s driving skills were something to behold...Describe working opposite DonnaleeI could not have asked for a better leading lady. Apart frombecoming good friends, her passion, drive to perform betterin each scene and the depth of her performance, were aconstant inspiration to me.What was the highlight of shooting Klein Karoo?The cooperation of people in the film industry is fantastic towitness. Every film that is made at this stage is something ofa miracle and it is as though everyone realises this and worksextra hard to make the project a success. The creativity of thetechnical team in particular, who have to produce a qualityfilm on small budget with a small team and basic equipment,was proof that our crews are world class.What were the biggest challenges in producing KleinKaroo?Definitely the time on set. I always believed that we wouldget all the money we needed and the right crew. My stressstarted on set when I had to juggle the different roles. It wasdifficult to switch off and just focus on my acting while as aproducer I knew there were other problems that needed to besolved. I had to trust Cobus and Jorrie.What were the challenges as a producer?Because this was our first feature, the challenge was toconstantly be prepared to learn. We called on friends andacquaintances all the time for advice or ideas and none of uswere ever too proud to say “we don’t know”.Why do you think that audiences will enjoy Klein Karoo?Thanks to the simple nature of the story, everyone will beable to relate. The characters are real, people you know orknow of. But the characters are not the pathetic, retarded,unsophisticated Afrikaaners that we so often see portrayed.They are proud, modern and can hold their own. We also havesome of the funniest, most interesting characters yet seen onthe big screen. The film will also inspire you to follow yourown dreams and realise that you can make a difference.