Die Rebellie van Lafras Verwey hits the big screen
FOURWAYS – If you enjoyed the radio and stage production 'Die Rebellie van Laftas Verwey' then you will most definitely enjoy the fact that it has come to the big screen.
Popular radio drama and stage production, Die Rebellie van Lafras Verwey, written by the late, award-winning author, Christian Johan Barnard (known as Chris Barnard), has now been transformed into a brilliant film with the renowned actor Tobie Cronjé in the lead role.
Based on the 1971 drama, this tragicomedy is a combined effort written and adapted into a contemporary script by the late writer and his son, Simon Barnard.
It tells the story of Lafras Verwey, an outcast who could never accept the realities of life. Although he is a government official, he hears the sound of otherworldly music playing in his head and dreams of a wonderful future. He considers himself a key player in the preparation of a significant rebellion that he believes will change the world.
When he takes Petra (Chantelle Phillipus), a young pregnant woman in to live with him, the rebellion becomes even more important to him. Ironically, his dreamt-up revolution begins the very night the baby is born. Die Rebellie van Lafras Verwey is produced by acclaimed actress and director, Katinka Heyns and Genevieve Hofmeyr, under the direction of the up-and-coming filmmaker, Simon Barnard who also makes his debut as director of a full-length feature film with this compelling story.
Simon, son of Katinka Heyns and Chris, grew up in the entertainment industry. His first movie role was that of young Benjamin Komoetie in the blockbuster, Fiela se Kind and his first professional role in an on-screen drama was in Die Wonderwerker, with his father as writer and mother as director.
Simon is currently co-owner of Sonneblom Ateljees which was founded by Heyns in 1975. Heyns was the first woman to ever be inducted into the National Film and Television Foundation’s Hall of Fame and was appointed as councillor of the National Film and Video Foundation by the Department of Arts and Culture. She made her debut as film director and producer in 1987, after which numerous successful films such as Fiela se Kind and more followed. Fiela se Kind was the first South African film to ever be accepted for an Oscar nomination. Her most recent film, Die Wonderwerker, was also very well received.
Die Rebellie Van Lafras Verwey also stars Neels van Jaarsveld, Cobus Visser, Lionel Newton and Albert Pretorius.
Edited by Beryl Knipe
