Schuster candid about new film

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Schuster candid about new film --

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 12:06

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SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE:

Leon Schuster s latest candid camera style movie, Schuks! Your Country Needs You, starring comedian Rob Van Vuuren and new talent Lar Birk, releases in South Africa on 29 November and promises to deliver the side-splitting pranks and celebrity set- ups that audiences have come to love.

Schuster admits that this movie was his most difficult to execute, as so many people recognised the veteran prankster despite elaborate costumes and convincing accents. With the added exposure from having a Leon Schuster festival air by local broadcasters during the movie s production, tricking fans was somewhat of a challenge.

Says Schuster: Unless I get new disguises, practise different accents, change my voice to go lower it s going to be very difficult to do another candid camera movie.

Director Gray Hofmeyer adds: There is so much candid camera in social media these days that when people find themselves in a strange situation, they do question it.

Schuster s films have continuously gained popularity, not only in South Africa but also around the world. His movies, though not all released on the commercial cinema circuit, have been well-received in countries such as Australia, Zimbabwe, Japan, India and China.

Schuster credits the success of his movies to his ability to listen to his audience. Says Schuster: I think I know my audience because I ve got so much to do with them. I listen to people when I m at a braai or at the box at Loftus Versveld watching rugby; I listen to what these guys say about the gags they enjoyed the most. And I know that this is what the guys want, and I ve got to give it to them.

Van Vuuren, who plays Wayne, Schuster s son in the film, comments: What makes these movies so successful is the stakes that are involved and the variables that could go wrong.

Shuster comments on casting newcomer Lar Brink: After we did a gag where she drove in through a gate, Gray and I got together and agreed that Lar has something, she s very pretty, she got die moer in (very angry). We needed a fresh young actress with a spontaneous personality who we believed would be good enough to pull off the pranks and she was perfect for the part.

Rob was mainly brought in for the sake of me not having to take all the punches and he was very brave, I must say. I take my hat off to him. Rob didn t shy away, he went full balls to the walls. I can t do what I used to do 30 years ago.

Both actors said they were honoured to work with Schuster and had learnt a lot while making the film.

Says Birk: The most valuable thing to me was the experienced I gained through this film. Working with these legends, for whom I have so much respect, was an amazing experience that I will hold close to my heart.

For me it was a wonderful experience from beginning to end. Every prank that you do is so adrenalised, I just look around and think I m in a Leon Schuster movie! And each moment is magic, Van Vuuren adds.

Schuster says his next movie will probably be a narrative as this genre enables him to reach a broader audience.

Visit www.facebook.com/Schuksyourcountryneedsyou for more information on the movie.

Report by Carly Barnes

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