I realise that it seems like an ostentatious statement to make, but trust me when I say that films like Die Windpomp are rare. If there's one thing the art of film demands, it's to ignite the imagination - and once the action on the screen and the action in your mind are united as one, film happens in all its splendour.
South African films have been loaded with political agendas or guilt trips into our past; yes there are exceptional local films and South African co-productions that deal with heavy issues, but Die Windpomp exceeds in telling an exceptional story about love and humanity.
It's an exquisite, humorous and quirky love story that revolves around 17-year-old Henri who arrives on the doorstep of an oddly familiar retirement village. Henri's world is soon infested by garden ornaments, bingo nights and weird and wonderful behaviour. Henri is taken under the wing of a kind, elderly neighbour who, for some odd reason, forces him to take regular baths at her house after purposely damaging Henri's plumbing.
During a sneaky late-night cigarette, Henri follows five silhouetted figures into a forest and finds more than he expected: elderly folks diving into a vast expanse of water, a windmill rising from its moonlit centre. A beautiful young girl appears from amongst the darkness and introduces herself as Margot - Henri is immediately smitten by his mysterious new friend.
But not everything is at it seems in Henri's world ... And this is about as much as you should know about writer-director Etienne Fourie's sublime masterwork.
Fourie published his first short story at the age of 16 for the ATKV national creative writing school and competition under guidance of Professor Hans du Plessis (Die Griekwa Psalms) and for a second time a year later. His short story, Die Kloosterkoeke, was adapted into a play by "Affies" for an annual culture festival. Etienne became the first student playwright at his high school to write numerous other stage productions over a three-year period.
Fourie received his honours degree in directing from AFDA and has directed numerous short films and music videos, including Wrestlerish and Zonernaam, winner of the 2010 MK Rockspaaider Competition. Fourie's adverts include Sleeping Children Around the World (nominated for a 2011 Loerie Award) and Ster-Kinekor's Vision Mission. He received both the Best Director and Best Screenplay awards at the 2011 AFDA awards as well as a 2012 student Oscar nomination for Die Windpomp.
From its opening sequence to the tearful climax, it feels as if one is watching a film by Pedro Almodovar; rich in colour and texture, with vibrant characters bursting out of frame, Die Windpomp grabs you by the heart strings and takes you on a soulful journey. Dealing with issues of getting old and grappling with loneliness, and the wonder and magic of youth, as well as searching for and finding love in unexpected places, Die Windpomp will sweep you off your feet.
The casting of Die Windpomp is exceptional and under Fourie's imaginative direction, allowing his actors to breathe a unique life into the characters, the performances are memorable. Armand Greyling is not only our new local heartthrob, but delivers a sensitive and heartfelt performance as a young man in search of meaning and love. Equally brilliant, and delivering the performance of a lifetime, is Marga van Rooy as Tannie Marietjie, a spiritual guide who leads our young hero on a path of transfiguration.
There's also a physical guide in the shape of gorgeous Leandie du Randt, who shines as the young woman who steals his heart. Grethe Fox has never been better and steals the film as the vampish cougar, who breathes life into the retirement village with her outlandish antics. Ian Roberts proves that he is indeed one of the best actors we have in South Africa and delivers a stalwart performance as the "wizard" who allows our hero to find a home where his heart is.
Besides its quirky and poignant script and rich performances, Die Windpomp features exceptional cinematography by Johan Prinsloo.
Die Windpomp is a proudly South African film that deserves to be seen by everyone, and a film that should be shared with friends and loved ones. It's a film you can escape into and surrender to wholeheartedly, for its magic will change the way you see life, and hopefully rejuvenate lost loves and disastrous love affairs.
Die Windpomp releases on 25 April nationwide. For more information on the film and other new releases, go to www.writingstudio.co.za/page1037.html.
