Daniel Dercksen shares a few thoughts with director André Velts

Vergeet My Nie is based on the true life story of Mardaleen Coetzer and Hugo Derk who found that love unites despite the difference that separate. What inspired you to bring this story to the big screen?

I can identify a 100% with the script. I travelled  the UK (also on a two year working holiday visa like Hugo and Mardaleen), fell in love and followed my destiny.

Was it a difficult process from page to screen? Tell me about the obstacles?

To recreate the 90’s in a world that is so modern really kept me awake. You really need to have budget to control your environment. Technology is everywhere, but in the 90’s cellphones was a very rare thing. Also new buildings, signs and fashion is a big problem. I had to do research on every aspect of the era to recreate the world. 

Were Mardaleen Coetzer and Hugo Derk involved with the film during filming?

They were on set for a day and it was great fun. The actors could chat to them and really share ideas to make the characters real.

Vergeet My Nie shows how important it is to follow your destiny, but also follow your heart? Your views on this.

I agree 100%. To be open to random sequences of events, heart and instinct will always lead to your destiny. 

What do you think makes falling in love so complicated?

I think love is an unselfish balancing act. To bring two worlds together and create a “perfect falling in love”  world, you need two people on the same wave length. 

You have enjoyed success with other romantic films like Knysna, Die Pro, and Jou Romeo. Why do you think romance is so popular with South African audiences?

I think it’s popular all over the world. Love is universal and it gives everybody hope. Sometimes the viewer just want to relax and escape from real drama.

What do you think makes Vergeet My Nie such a unique romance?

The odds of two people studying in Potch and living in the same house in London years later really opens up the idea of destiny. 

Do you think that being an accomplished actor is an important advantage for a director?

I think so. I see a lot of directors that don’t know how to approach actors.  I know how it feels in front of the camera.

Music becomes an important supporting character in the film, underlining the emotional journey, tell me about the choices you have made?

To really provoke joy, love and nostalgic feelings I had to go with the biggest bands of SA in the 90”s. Just Ginger, Springbok Nude Girls, Boo and Just where very easy choices to make. 

How difficult is it to get your film made in South Africa? What are the obstacles and how do think it can be streamlined?

It is very difficult. We need bigger budgets, but we don’t have a film culture.

We need to be more responsible as filmmakers, so we cannot spend more money to make a film vs the amount of money that we can make in the box office. 

People don’t go to cinema, so it’s a big problem. Standards of Film-making can only go up if we can explore the process of film-making through budget, because budget = time.

How much has the local industry changed since you started working in the industry?

Streaming services like Netflix, Showmax and Apple TV opened some doors and closed some doors. If you like to make films for cinema you really need to be more creative.

Have you always wanted to be a filmmaker?  Where did it start for you?

No! I wanted to be an actor, but I love the psychology behind the process. Directing actors, using camera, colour and location to convey a feeling or expression is the thing that I love most of the process.

What motivates you as a filmmaker?

The opportunity to make the viewer think different about a subject matter without him or her knowing it was the filmmakers objective from the start.

Tell me about working with screenwriter Tarryn-Tanille Prinsloo?

I think its very difficult for a screenwriter to listen to every party’s notes involved in the film making process, and Tarryn is very calm during the process.  That the sign of a mature screenwriter 

What do you as a producer look for in screenplays?

The characters need to be very interesting, full of flaws and witty. Unfortunately the Producer always need to look at the current market. What is the budget vs the projected income of this specific genre. All investors want their money back, and you as a producer need to be a responsible filmmaker.  I directed two dramas (Raaiselkind & Die Pro) and they did not even make their money back (at the cinema box office). 

Any advice for aspirant screenwriters who would like to get their work produced? 

Send it to everybody. Someone will love your script and the rest will be history. 

What do you hope audiences will get from watching Vergeet My Nie?

Love will overcome all obstacles.

Future plans? What’s next?

I’m currently working on a screenplay, but my research takes a lot of time.