The voice of the Snow Queen

Heidi Mollentze will be the voice of the Snow Queen in the new Afrikaans animation Die Sneeukoningin.

The international film will be released exclusively in Afrikaans at cinemas across South Africa on 30 October.

Publicity and marketing manager of Starburst Promotions Alishia van Deventer, said the film is based on the 1845 fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen.

Van Deventer explained that the film is about a young girl who goes on a quest to save her kidnapped brother from the Snow Queen, who wants it to be winter forever.

Montgomery Park resident Mollentze (29), originally from Bloemfontein, said she can completely relate to her character.

“Beneath the character’s evil exterior, she is just like the rest of us. We all want to love, be loved in return, be accepted and understood. Her methods of gaining acceptance is just misguided,” said Mollentze.

She said the film, suited for all ages, is well animated and the Afrikaans dubbing is done accordingly.

Mollentze also said the film is moving as it speaks to human emotions, “Any art form or form of entertainment that captures human emotion is moving.”

She said her intention at first was to become a physiotherapist but, once she accidentally set foot in the Drama Department at the University of the Free State, she could not leave.

She has starred in numerous films, soap operas, mini series, theater shows and has also presented some television shows.

According to Mollentze, she has been doing animation dubbing for many years and loves it.

She said the biggest challenge of portraying an animated character is that there are no facial expressions and body language to fall back on.

“The honesty with which you act the role, must lead your performance,” said Mollentze.

She is currently the Speaking Voice lecturer for first, second and third year students and is also the acting coach at AFDA.

Mollentze advised young aspiring actors to always go the extra mile in their creativity and performances.