Comedian, Rikus de Beer, hit the road this November to promote his debut film Jonathan.
De Beer and film producer John-Henry Opperman were at Clearwater Mall as part of the Jonathan Roadshow on 8 November, where De Beer mingled with fans, signed autographs and took photos with individuals who had come for the pre-release of the movie.
“It was my first project on film and it was a raw experience with a lot of pressure. Film is completely different from stage so I was intimidated at first but the other actors were so professional that they give you so much to bounce off of. I was also allowed some freedom and could do some improv,” said De Beer.
Jonathan is a comedy film based on Jonathan, De Beer’s persona on Radio Raps, a Youtube channel where De Beer gives advice and discusses all topics and pokes fun at South African citizens.
The story follows the line of Jonathan as a wanna-be stand-up comedian that still lives with his parents. After he crashes his father’s car, his parents are fed up and kick him out of the house to take care of himself for the first time in his life. Jonathan becomes a car guard and falls in love, which starts him on a path to self discovery.
“The story is about entitlement, growing up quickly, and finding your own voice and craft,” Opperman added.
Apart from De Beer, the film’s cast includes local actors and actresses such as Brumilda van Rensburg, Paul Eilers, Anel Alexander, Jacques Bessenger, Eric Nobbs, Rika Sennett, Albert Pretorius, Frank Opperman, Lizz Meiring and Beate Opperman.
“It has been a three year journey to get to this point and it is so special to finally see it come full circle. It is not every day that you are able to realize a dream,” said Opperman.
Jonathan, which is filmed in Afrikaans with English subtitles, releases in South African cinemas nationwide from 2 December.
