From
16 April 2009, SABC 2 will screen a brand new
local sitcom ‘Askies'. With 11 official languages
and a handful of quirky but determined students,
the sleazeball from upstairs, and, of course,
their Afrikaans-speaking Zulu teacher all contribute
to the question Askies asks: ‘Will they ever
learn to understand one another?'
Askies follows
a diverse group of eccentric adults, who have
to learn an indigenous South African language
to improve their social status. In the surreal,
frequently comic world of the Zulu Night Language-school,
they learn to overcome their prejudices and
cultural tics... to communicate with each other!
The
only thing Frida (Hanli Rolfes) got from her
divorce is the best years of her life flushed
down the toilet, her heart broken and a pawn
shop in the middle of Randburg. But this Afrikaans
Primary school teacher from the "platteland" is not going to give up just yet and so she sets out to try to keep her head
above water by dodging her landlord and wannabe
gangster, Mikey (Dirk Stoltz), who lives upstairs
with his grandmother. He wants to turn the pawn
shop into a night club. In order to stay afloat,
Frida, with the help of Persistence (Tumi Morake)
- the world's most streetsmart tea lady - has
to use her language skills to teach a motley
crew of after-hours students Zulu!
Starring
as Frida, Hanli Rolfes is best known for her
leading role on Generations (SABC 1), where
she was Sarah-Lee from 1996-2002. She has also
starred in popular shows such as Justice for
All (SABC 1), Jozi Streets (SABC 1) and Vetkoekpaleis
(SABC 2).
|
Dirk Stoltz has been working in local television, theatre and cinema since the
early 1990's, starring in many iconic local
productions. He was most recently seen on TV
in Song vir Katryn 1 & 2 (SABC 2), Riemvasmaak (SABC 2) and Erfsondes (SABC 2).
Tumi Morake is an up-and-coming young actress, having starred in various film,
TV, theatre and stand-up comedy productions.
She recently made a few cameo and supporting
appearances on TV, including Justice for All
(SABC 1), Soul Buddiez (SABC 1) and City Ses'la
(SABC 1).
Askies is
a concept that was inspired to creators Teboho
Pietersen and Yolanda Mogatutsi of Thousand
Hugs as a concept brief from SABC 2 in 2007.
Luna Film's Bridget Pickering and Neil Brandt
were brought on as executive producers.
Head director
Andre Odendaal was approached, after he auditioned
for one of the characters. He assisted in the
final casting and further created an atmosphere
that gave the actors a chance to explore the
ensemble piece even further, creating realistic
though very humorous characters.
The first
13 episodes of Askies will screen on SABC 2
from April 2009. The 2nd series, also consisting
of 13 episodes, will be screened later in the
year.
Askies features
all 11 official languages but mainly Afrikaans,
English and Sotho - with English subtitles. |
