‘Vergeet My Nie’ Premieres Today

Romance tales are made up of attraction, tension, intrigue and sometimes unrealistic portrayals of what love is like in the real world.

But sometimes reality surprises us with stories of love that not even Jane Austen could have conjured up.

In the 1990s, Potchefstroom, two teens from opposite sides of the social spectrum developed a love that crossed borders, transcended time and defied the physics of orthodox relationships.

‘Vergeet My Nie’, which premieres today across South Africa, in Windhoek at Ster-Kinekor Grove Mall and Atlanta Cinema in Swakopmund, tells the true love story of Mardaleen Coetzer and Hugo Derk.

Coetzer, a beauty queen finalist and Derk, a rugby-crazed Namibian, don’t seem like a match made in heaven, however, the two found themselves living in the same commune in London after university and this is where fate had its way with them and they fell in love.

But it wouldn’t last for long.

When their journey came to a halt, Coetzer headed back to the Mother City and Derk preferred the quiet farm life in Namibia. Years later, their relationship picked up again on a long-distance basis between Namibia and Cape Town following an invitation from Derk for Coetzer to visit him. Her weekend in Namibia turned into a roller-coaster nightmare. Despite this, Hugo asks her to stay and build a life together; stubbornly she refuses, she has other plans for her life.

Marguerite van Eeden brings the character of Coetzer to life while Sean-Marco Vorster takes on the role of the rugged and simple Derk.

Van Eeden had a blast while filming, especially with all the travelling involved. “It was incredible! Working with Andre Velts, Marius de Nysschen and so many others. Going to London itself was an experience,” she says.

She related to the role she was playing as Coetzer, as a strong female character, and as it fell within the stories she finds important and should be told. “I also believe there is always a space and place for love stories.”

The young actress notes that not all love stories are rosy and sometimes there are difficult decisions to consider. She learnt from the story that choosing between a career and the love of your life “is a choice not to be taken lightly.”

She is optimistic about the response the audience will have and what they can expect: “A story that takes them on a journey across borders, while experiencing all the emotions of a love story.”

Vorster greatly enjoyed the experience, especially working with The Film Factory and director Velts.

“The cast was amazing and one of the aspects that really stood out for me was travelling. Shooting in South Africa, Namibia and London was a humbling experience.” Vorster notes that the art of storytelling is integral to the human cultural experience and finds it a special privilege to have worked on ‘Vergeet My Nie’.

“This love story actually happened. It touches themes such as stepping into love and not necessarily falling into it. That love is choice ultimately,” he says, adding that his character taught him the skill of patience and the audience can expect to be inspired by this film.

Wikus du Toit, kykNET’s commissioning producer for comedy and drama, says: “Their story has all the elements of a gripping romance.”

“Besides that, their story spans from Potchefstroom’s student life to London and then to the ending in Namibia. It’s exciting. It’s different and new,” says du Toit.

The Derks might have had a rocky road to walk, but this Gobabis-based couple have been happily married for 14 years and have two children, daughter Githe and son Liam.

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