By Anica Hattingh
Kyk My in My Oë, a drama written and directed by Christian Schoeman, invites viewers to slow down and truly look at the deeper emotions that hide between the silences. The intimate atmosphere of the Melkbos Ateljee, with its small audience space, perfectly complemented the film’s themes of closeness and vulnerability. It felt like a shared experience, rather than an ordinary cinema screening.
The film, which was a test screening, tells a gripping tale of how two very different worlds, despite their differences, can collide and ultimately form a harmonious friendship. The actors who portrayed Andrew and Rian succeeded in drawing the audience into their inner struggles. Although a great deal of background was shared about Schoeman’s character, Andrew, the audience felt that certain aspects of his motives – such as his love for trains – remained unclear.
Other characters, such as Rian (portrayed by Rikus Terblanche), according to one viewer, needed more of a backstory. Throughout the film, Rian experienced many external conflicts, which made his emotional journey interesting, but the lack of a deeper background sometimes made it difficult to empathise fully with him.
Overall, the film showcased strong actors and excellent performances. Combined with the use of camera and music, the film managed to pull the audience into the emotions of this drama. At certain points, however, the film struggled to complete its ideas, which created some gaps in the storyline.
Because this was a test screening, Schoeman sent out forms afterwards to receive feedback from the audience. Schoeman shared that the film is far from finished or perfect, and that the feedback will be used to improve it. Criticism regarding elements such as music use, dialogue, and overall impression was important to him.
All in all, Kyk My in My Oë is an intimate exploration of vulnerability, intimacy, and honesty. With a few refinements, it has the potential to touch wider audiences just as deeply as it did the audience in Melkbos.
