Die Windpomp, a “beautiful, humorous love story” set in an “oddly familiar retirement village”, stars Armand Greyling, Leandrie du Randt, Marga van Rooy, Ian Roberts and Grethe Fox.
The story revolves around 20-year-old Hendri, who finds himself in the village with its bingo nights, garden ornaments and weird and wonderful residents.
One night, he sees five figures make their way into the forest.
Hendri follows them, and finds the elderly folk swimming in a dam, from the centre of which rises a windmill.
Then a beautiful young girl appears from the darkness and introduces herself to Hendri, instantly mesmerising him.
Fourie said he set the film in a fictitious retirement village because he liked the idea of a small, removed space.
“I grew up in small-town Humansdorp, which never bothered me when I was very young. It was only when I reached my late teens that I realised there was more to the world,” he said.
“I also have an overwhelming fear of old age. I don’t want to find myself in a position of regret, not being able to do things I perhaps should have done. To try exorcise these demons, I created older characters who could do something about their lives.”
Fourie said the image of a windmill was an iconic one, especially for South Africans.
“I wanted to bring in water, which symbolises life and hope. The effect of water on the characters is positive, even if they don’t see it as such,” he said.
Fox, who plays Tannie Miggie, described her character as “charming”.
“Miggie is filled with joie de vivre, but there’s a depth to her as well. None of the characters are one-dimensional; they all have depth,” she said.
She said that the film as “charming and clever”.
“[Fourie] is a unique artist. He’s not formulaic and has produced an authentic creation with a brilliant script,” said Fox.
“The film was entirely his own vision, carefully styled and filmed. Die Windpomp is a very special movie. It’s not a traditional fairytale, although it does have fantasy elements, and has depth, gravitas and lightness.”
Die Windpomp is scheduled for release on 25 April at Nu Metro and Ster Kinekor cinemas.
Details: www.diewindpompfilm.co.za
Trailer:
