Simoné Pretorius on ‘Die Onderonsie’

Simoné Pretorius is a South African actress, producer, screenwriter, and acting coach who is known for her starring role in Vir die voëls as well as Hotel, Binnelanders and Hartklop. Having the versatility to seamlessly transition between comedic and dramatic roles, Pretorius takes on the role of Jolene in dark comedy caper, Die Onderonsie [The Quarrel].

Die Onderonsie is a dark comedy with a lighthearted feel… how much fun did you have working on this project and are you a fan of the genre?

Working on Die Onderonsie was an absolute blast! The combination of dark comedy with a lighthearted touch created a unique and enjoyable atmosphere on set. I’m definitely a fan of the genre – though I prefer it to be less dark and gory and more lighthearted like Brooklyn 99.

You’ve gained a great deal of experience across film and television, do you have a favourite format and what kind of environment typically finds you in the zone?

Each format has its own charm, but I find myself particularly drawn to the intimacy of film. There’s something magical about diving deep into a character’s journey within the condensed timeframe of a movie. As for getting in the zone, I thrive in environments that foster collaboration and creativity, especially when it comes to my relationship with the director.

It’s tough, as a screenwriter, to shut that part of your brain off and I appreciate when I can bring suggestions to the table or if a director allows me to play around and improvise. I struggle with rigid directions if a script is underdeveloped, although I haven’t experienced that as much.

Jolene seems like a composite character… did you have any specific personalities or references to help you find her?

Creating Jolene was a fascinating process. The greatest challenge was to dive beneath the surface and steer away from portraying her as a caricature – costume and hair was already a little over the top, so I wanted to ground her as much as possible. I know a few pop stars who lean into the image of pop star to sell albums, but deep down they long to sing about stuff that matters and they’re not in person who they seem to be on stage. I can’t name names, but I definitely drew inspiration from famous acquaintances.

Her bandmates call Jolene “Patricia Lewis” after the South African singer…

Them saying that Jolene is Patricia is not necessarily meant as a compliment. I did wonder if Gen Z would know who Patricia Lewis is, but I know that for people my age and older, especially in the Afrikaans community, she is cemented as an icon of pop stardom, with the hair, the glam up and stuff.

What was it like becoming Jolene through her wardrobe?

To be honest, I would never in my life wear what she wore! She wore bodycon dresses that were super-tight, so I had such a hard time in her wardrobe because I hate stuff that’s tight. But I did wear white, knee-high boots. And those were my own, so they were very comfortable! I don’t know why I have white trompoppie [drum majorette] boots.

I love the fact that she wore these high-heeled, white leather boots for going away for a weekend in the bushveld with her friends. Sometimes I feel like once you put the shoes on of a character, that’s when you really step into their role. Clothing changes but there’s a specific thing about what you’ll wear as a shoe.

How did you empathise with Jolene? Do you have any commonalities that made it easier to connect?

I think every artist gets to a crossroad where you are faced with questions about artistic integrity vs commercial success. I’ve been there, so I can relate to working within that tension. But Jolene totally sells herself out to make a gospel album, and it’s quite clear that she doesn’t align with the values of the message she’s preaching.

I do empathise with her though. I felt she was very lonely and actually longed for a friend. Especially whilst being a public figure. I wondered why she would even go on this trip in the first place if she’s just irritated all the time, but I think because they’ve known her before she became famous she actually trusts them and can be herself around them.

You’ve had numerous roles in comedy and drama films, what would you say is the toughest thing about a comedy performance?

Comedy is a delightful challenge. The toughest part is finding the perfect balance between delivering the humor and maintaining the authenticity of the character. Timing is crucial, and creating genuine, relatable moments within the comedic context requires precision. It’s a delicate dance, but when it clicks, the results are incredibly rewarding.

You’re one of the busiest people I know and are gearing up to become a filmmaker… what’s your secret and what inspired you to get behind the camera?

I think it’s a combination of passion, discipline, and a genuine love for storytelling. Almost to the point of obsession. I’ve also always felt drawn to directing, especially whilst on set, I generally struggle to not direct myself. It got to a point where after writing two films and a series I realized that I wanted to call the creative shots.

I want more skin in the game. I’ve been inspired by the incredible filmmakers I’ve had the privilege to work with, and would love to offer a crew and cast the same opportunities to partner with me in telling stories fueled with humour and heart.