Introduction

Kanarie (Original title: Canary ) is a 2018 musical, drama film by Christiaan Olwagen.

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Outline

South Africa, mid-1980s: When the 18-year-old New Wave and Depeche Mode fan Johan Nobody was accepted for his military service with the renowned soldiers’ choir “Canaries”, he saw this as a rescue from the dreaded military drill. The choir is led by the friendly Reverend Engelbrecht and the strict Reverend Koch. During a tour Johan falls in love with his choir comrade Wolfgang. He also begins to rebel against the apartheid regime.

Cast

• Schalk Bezuidenhout … Johan Niemand.
• Hannes Otto … Wolfgang Müller.
• Germandt Geldenhuys … Ludolf Otterman.
• Gérard Rudolf … Reverend Koch.
• Jacques Bessenger … Reverend Engelbrecht.
• Francois Jacobs … Tiaan Taljaard.
• De Klerk Oelofse … Walter (Rambo) Boonzaaier.
• Ludwig Binge … Daan Goosen.
• David Viviers … Kevin Scott.
• Andrico Goosen … RuanRuan (Lobster) Swart.
• Beer Adriaanse … Corporal Crunchie.
• Laudo Liebenberg … Lourens Human.
• Geon Nel … Corporal de Wet.
• Emile Tredoux … Corporal du Toit.
• Johan Botha … Mr. Visser.
• Lida Botha … Mrs. Visser.
• Anna-Mart van der Merwe … Arlene Louw.
• Dawid Minnaar … Gerhard Louw.
• Tinarie van Wyk Loots … Marilette.
• Ashley de Lange … Marietjie.
• Karli Heine … Annelie.
• Jaco Nothnagel … Mercedes man (voice).
• Albert Pretorius … Nightclub bully.
• Jennifer Steyn … English lady.
• Albert Maritz … Reverend van Rensburg.
• Martelize Kolver … Mrs. Steenkamp.

Trivia

• The film was first shown in Canada in May 2018; in July 2018 it ran in the USA and was released in South Africa on 19 October 2018.
• Shot in 5 weeks in and around Cape Town, South Africa.
• The final song, a mash-up of a church hymn and Victims (Culture Club/Boy George) was recorded on set.
  • Composer Charl-Johan Lingenfelder had just completed the arrangement two nights before.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Christiaan Olwagen.
• Producer(s):
  • Elmarie Botha … line producer.
  • Jaco Smit … producer.
  • Roelof Storm … executive producer.
• Writer(s):
  • Charl-Johan Lingenfelder.
  • Christiaan Olwagen.
• Music:
  • Charl-Johan Lingenfelder.
• Cinematography:
  • Chris Vermaak.
• Editor(s):
  • Eva Du Preez.
• Production:
  • Marches Media.
  • KykNET.
• Distributor(s):
  • Cinemien (2020) (Netherlands) (theatrical).
  • Ster-Kinekor Pictures (2018) (South Africa) (theatrical).
  • Breaking Glass Pictures (2019) (USA) (all media).
  • O2 Produções (2020) (Brazil) (all media).
  • Peccadillo Pictures (2020) (Ireland) (all media).
  • Peccadillo Pictures (2020) (UK) (all media).
  • Salzgeber & Company Medien (2019) (Germany) (DVD).
• Release Date: May 2018 (Canada) and 24 August 2018 (Silwerskerm Fees, South Africa).
• Rating: 18.
• Running Time: 123 minutes.
• Country: South Africa.
• Language: English and Afrikaans.

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