The boy next door
Not so much skollie as cutie-pie
The film ‘Skollie’ is set on the Cape Flats and in the Pollsmoor Prison and is based on the life of the film’s scriptwriter, John Fredericks.
Who is Dann-Jacques Mouton?
I am a child of Namibia, but obviously my circumstances dictated that I grew up in Cape Town. Namibia is where my heart is. I was born in Windhoek and moved to Cape Town when I was four but came back to Windhoek for primary school.
Noem My Skollie, has been nominated as for an Oscar, how do you feel carrying two countries on your shoulders?
I am very proud of our achievement and how people have reacted to the movie. There is no need for us Africans to feel inferior - we do amazing work. Most amazing is that Noem My Skollie is the first film set on the Cape Flats and told by the coloured people themselves.
The truth is you are a boy from Namibia who landed an almost sacred but crucial role. How did you manage this?
Well the truth is Coloured people are innately storytellers, and growing up on a farm where we shared stories around the fire nurtured my storytelling gift. But I am very privileged to have been given this role. I am very honoured that they trusted me with the part especially given the fact that the film was based on a true story, but I could never have done this without my co-actors.
Noem my Skollie is a deep and intense movie that has moved its entire audience. What did you – the person – learn from this story?
I am inspired by Boeta John’s testimony, his urge to better himself despite his difficult upbringing. Quitting his job at age 50 to pursue his dream to finally write a book about his life. It speaks about a strong character – we all know that guy, in our families, in our communities, someone who has faltered but who has a dream and needs to re-discover that dream. I would not have been where I am now, my mom made some very good choices in her life.
Apart from Noem my Skollie you managed to land the role in yet another South African movie - Abraham and is also seen on television as Jason in the South African soapy 7de Laan. How did you manage this in South Africa’s extremely competitive industry?
Actors always say I did not choose the industry the industry chose me - and this is true for me. It swallows you. But you have to put in lots of hours, to sacrifice family time. But then I believe in fate - for me it was written. But an actor’s success has a lot to do with who they work with – who you know and who knows you well enough to push you through.
How did you prepare for your role as AB?
I listened to a lot of violent music. Hemelbesem’s music was also perfect; his use of language is astonishing. The entire evening before the day we would shoot the kissing scenes, I usually listened to love songs. But I also talked to Boeta John a lot; I was fortunate to have access to the man whose life story I was telling. I could always go to him for advice and this is unique, not every actor has this privilege.
Who is Dann-Jacques Mouton?
I am a child of Namibia, but obviously my circumstances dictated that I grew up in Cape Town. Namibia is where my heart is. I was born in Windhoek and moved to Cape Town when I was four but came back to Windhoek for primary school.
Noem My Skollie, has been nominated as for an Oscar, how do you feel carrying two countries on your shoulders?
I am very proud of our achievement and how people have reacted to the movie. There is no need for us Africans to feel inferior - we do amazing work. Most amazing is that Noem My Skollie is the first film set on the Cape Flats and told by the coloured people themselves.
The truth is you are a boy from Namibia who landed an almost sacred but crucial role. How did you manage this?
Well the truth is Coloured people are innately storytellers, and growing up on a farm where we shared stories around the fire nurtured my storytelling gift. But I am very privileged to have been given this role. I am very honoured that they trusted me with the part especially given the fact that the film was based on a true story, but I could never have done this without my co-actors.
Noem my Skollie is a deep and intense movie that has moved its entire audience. What did you – the person – learn from this story?
I am inspired by Boeta John’s testimony, his urge to better himself despite his difficult upbringing. Quitting his job at age 50 to pursue his dream to finally write a book about his life. It speaks about a strong character – we all know that guy, in our families, in our communities, someone who has faltered but who has a dream and needs to re-discover that dream. I would not have been where I am now, my mom made some very good choices in her life.
Apart from Noem my Skollie you managed to land the role in yet another South African movie - Abraham and is also seen on television as Jason in the South African soapy 7de Laan. How did you manage this in South Africa’s extremely competitive industry?
Actors always say I did not choose the industry the industry chose me - and this is true for me. It swallows you. But you have to put in lots of hours, to sacrifice family time. But then I believe in fate - for me it was written. But an actor’s success has a lot to do with who they work with – who you know and who knows you well enough to push you through.
How did you prepare for your role as AB?
I listened to a lot of violent music. Hemelbesem’s music was also perfect; his use of language is astonishing. The entire evening before the day we would shoot the kissing scenes, I usually listened to love songs. But I also talked to Boeta John a lot; I was fortunate to have access to the man whose life story I was telling. I could always go to him for advice and this is unique, not every actor has this privilege.
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Namibian Sun
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