‘My F*k, Marelize’ Film Based on Viral Video Clip Sets Namibia Shoot (EXCLUSIVE)

MultiChoice is commencing production on “My F*k, Marelize,” a feature film inspired by a viral video from Namibia. The announcement was made at this year’s Silwerskerm Film Festival in Cape Town.

The film, set in Windhoek, Namibia, is based on true events surrounding the Horn family. It follows Marelize Horn as she prepares to become an au pair in the Netherlands and her mother, Heidi Horn, as she handles a cancer diagnosis. The story unfolds against the backdrop of WIKA, the annual Windhoek Carnival.

The project draws its title from a viral video in which Marelize’s mother uttered the now-iconic phrase after filming her daughter unintentionally cycling into a rugby goal post. “The words “my f*k, Marelize” [for f*cks sake, Marelize] has become a standard response to an embarrassing mistake or any epic public fail in South Africa and Namibia – always said with a touch of warmth and sympathy,” MultiChoice said.

South African Film and Television Award-winning screenwriter Brett Michael Innes (“Sink,” “Fiela’s Child”) wrote the script. Zandré Coetzer, known for her work on hit South African series “Dinge van ‘n kind,” will make her feature directorial debut.

“This film is going to surprise everyone,” Innes said. “When people think of a movie based on the phrase ‘my f*k, Marelize’, they’re probably expecting a slapstick comedy about a teenager who bumps into things all the time. The story of the Horn family has so much more depth than that.”

“This story is a celebration of life,” added Coetzer. “A showcase of how our people in Namibia and South Africa greet every challenge with a joke and face it with laughter. I was fortunate to spend time with the Horn family and witnessing their dynamic as a unit gave me such a clear vision for the film. As an Afrikaner, it is really special to be able to celebrate my language, culture and people in a story that speaks to our humor and way of doing life.” 

The project is a Namibian and South African co-production, involving Windhoek-based producers Joel Haikali and Sophie Haikali from Joe Vision Productions (co-producers of 2024 Berlinale-selected “Pepe”) and Cape Town companies Nagvlug Films and Nostalgia Productions. Paulo Areal (“Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story,” “Five Fingers for Marseilles”) is also producing. Financing comes from the National Film & Video Foundation, kykNET Films and MultiChoice Namibia.

Waldimar Pelser, M-Net channel director: premium channels, said: “kykNET is deeply rooted in Namibia, and we take great pride to be able to support not just any co-production with strong Namibian ties, but this one — a story full of pathos and humor with a unique local character.”

Haikali described the film as a “love letter to Windhoek life,” and a celebration of “quirky Namibian charm and vibrant spirit with plenty of humor.”

The Horn family has been involved since the project’s inception. Marelize Horn said: “When I got a random Facebook message from Brett last year about wanting to make a film about our family, I didn’t know quite what to expect. Now they’re about to start filming, and I can’t wait to see how our experience is brought to life.”

Filming is set to begin in September in Namibia.