Six years ago, a simple cellphone video captured a memorable moment when a daughter cycled into a rugby pole, prompting her mother’s now-iconic exclamation, “My f*k, Marelize!” The clip quickly went viral, making the Horns family from Windhoek, Namibia, household names across the region.
This year, the viral moment took center stage as My f*k, Marelize! premiered as a feature film at the Silwerskerm Film Festival in Camps Bay, Cape Town. Following its debut, the film is set for theatrical release across South Africa and Namibia on August 29, inviting audiences to experience the heartfelt story behind the viral sensation.
Directed by Zandré Coetzer, My f*k, Marelize! is much more than a comedy it is a poignant family drama that explores themes of resilience and love amid hardship. The plot centers on Heidi, a resolute mother hiding her cancer diagnosis, while her accident-prone daughter Marelize struggles to learn how to ride a bicycle to qualify as an au pair in the Netherlands. Portraying Marelize is Zandélle Meyer, with Je-ani Swiegelaar and Neels Clasen as her parents, Heidi and Tiaan, and Nichola Viviers as younger sister Wilmari.
“I wanted to make a film that everyone who understands family dynamics the good and the explosive can relate to,” said director Coetzer. “It’s a small story with a huge emotional impact, a story about life itself.”
Marelize Horn, whose family became an internet phenomenon, shared her amazement at the journey from home video to feature film. “We never imagined the video would touch so many people or lead to this movie. This story is deeply personal and important because it chronicles my mother’s battle with cancer and her strength.”
The film shines a light on hope and faith, highlighting the family’s mantra: “Each day is not good, but there is good in every day.” Marelize emphasized the film’s message: “You are never alone, no matter how tough life gets.” Screenwriter Brett Michael Innes and Coetzer developed the script after multiple visits to the Horns family in Windhoek, forging a close bond that inspired the heartfelt and authentic storytelling.
My f*k, Marelize! was filmed on location in Windhoek and produced jointly by South African companies Nagvlug Films and Nostalgia Productions alongside Namibia’s Joe Vision Productions. The project received support from kykNET, MultiChoice Namibia, and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), with distribution by Indigenous Film Distribution.
Cinema-goers in South Africa and Namibia can catch the film from August 29 at major venues including Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro chains, as well as independent theaters such as Whale Coast Roadhouse in Hermanus and Epic North Ridge in Bloemfontein.
This touching film invites audiences not only to laugh and reflect on family, but also to appreciate the strength found in connection, courage, and everyday life’s unexpected moments.
