New Schuster movie features local talent
Frank and Fearless, a new family classic by Leon Schuster and Gray Hofmeyr features talented stars with Germiston roots.
Meet Themba Ntuli and Matt Stern, two very different men with common interests.
They have starred in acclaimed television dramas, movies and classic adverts.
However, the love for performing is not all these two men with Germiston roots have in common.
Themba and Matt will star in Frank and Fearless, Leon Schuster’s latest quirky comedy, hitting the cinema’s this coming Friday (November 23).
Matt, the former 7de Laan star, lives on the border of Edenvale and Germiston and was invited to feature in the film in its early stages and accepted right away.
Bitten by the acting bug in primary school, Matt took up all opportunities to be on stage including participating in musical activities.
“I joined all three choirs available at my school, it was the boys, the mixed and speech choirs.
“I also took violin for three years,” said Matt.
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Though he has featured on many local productions such as District 9, Invictus and Isidingo, which gained him fame and recognition, Matt does not confuse fame for money.
“The fact that we don’t own our professional identities is the challenging part of being in the South African film and television industries.
“A lot of rebroadcasts are aired but we don’t see a cent. South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) is working on it though,” he said.
Themba, who might be mistaken for a young boy on the brink of adolescence, is actually a 27-year-old man.
Born in Natalspruit Hospital, in Katlehong, in 1991, Themba, a Vosloorus local would spend most of his days travelling to Germiston and back when he was of a school-going age.
“At an early age I had to learn how to catch taxi’s from Vosloorus to Primrose Hill Primary School in Germiston, and then to Dawnview High School. It was pretty awesome,” said Themba.
Similar to Matt, Themba began his career into the arts in primary school but had to ward off bullies who teased him because of his size.
“I am shorter than most people my age but I am certainly not the only one.
“However, I don’t think I particularly came to a definite realisation of this fact until my friends pointed it out.
“My parents also made me a bit aware of it,” Themba joked.
“You see, initially I always thought I was perfect and growing in line with my peers, but it became more and more apparent the older I got, that I was different, particularly towards the end of my primary school career.
“I still remained hopeful, that I would grow taller.”
Realising that he wasn’t growing any taller put a strain on Themba.
He admitted to having felt lost and sad on most days.
Even though he was constantly surrounded by a joyful family and group of friends, that did not make him any less self-conscious about his physique.
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“I grew up in a Christian family.
“But it was not until I found salvation in Jesus Christ on my own accord that I gained true freedom and joy in knowing that I was made in the image of God.
“That taught me how to quickly overcome some challenges such as being bullied, feelings I had towards people picking me up regularly and being mocked.
“All these challenges drew me closer to God,” he said.
Taking up a persona allowed Themba to break free from his normal life as he began understanding who he was and what talents he possessed.
“I entered the industry at a young age and quickly learnt how to establish myself in showbiz, and built a name for myself which took me on a long, tough and exciting journey of growth.
Themba has worked with seasoned directors and producers including Moonyeenn Lee, Rolie Nikiwe, Amanda Lane, Amy Allais, Adelaide Joshua-Hill, Dries Scholtz and he can now add Gray Hofmeyr and Leon Schuster to his list of references.
In Frank and Fearless, Themba went to the auditions and secured the lead role of 11-year-old Fearless after he had just finished filming the internationally acclaimed Afrikaans movie, Meerkat Maantuig.
“My role is of a boy from the township, named Fearless, who is passionate about rhinos,” said Themba.
“After he discovers that the mother of a baby rhino he has befriended was killed and butchered for her horn, he becomes a crusader to avenge the death of his friend’s mother.
“Though not quite certain of how he is going to do this because of his fears, which he overcomes when he meets Leon’s character, Frank.
“The two of them, together with their two four-legged friends, a dog named Dog and a baby rhino named Reini, embark on a journey to help save the rhinos.”
Themba and Matt both regard Leon as a legend and enjoyed sharing their set experience alongside the legendary filmmaker.
“It was my first time working with Leon and I loved it,” said Matt.
“He is funny, professional, humble and charismatic.
“One can always learn by watching an ‘old pro’ strut his stuff.
“I made use of the opportunity.”
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The film features a stellar line-up including Kenneth Nkosi, Khanyi Mbau and cameos by Mary Twala, Alfred Nthombela, David Dennis, Annabel Linder Camilla, Waldren, Tiro Venter, Coco Merckel, Shelly Meskin, Reggie Ndlovu and Tebogo Selebogo.
“People should buy the tickets to see the film because not only does it have some of the best cast members, but it also promotes animal conservation and protecting our endangered species, such as the rhino which is on the brink of extinction,” said Themba.
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