Ilse Klink plays the character of Evelyn Fortuin in the new Afrikaans comedy, Frankie en Felipé, which will be released on Friday, February 23.
Award-winning actress, singer, musical theatre performer and former Westridge resident Ilse Klink stars in the new Afrikaans comedy, Frankie en Felipé, which will hit cinema screens this week.
The film showcases the tale of two, once inseparable half-brothers who are split apart when one is taken to a home for lost boys.
Frankie makes a name for himself in business while Felipé is a lowly perfume salesman. They both end up having financial troubles. A desperate Felipé turns to his estranged brother Frankie and threatens to ruin his wedding day.
Frankie is played by the late Bradley Olivier, who passed away in July last year. He shared the role of writer and producer alongside his co-star, Solomon Cupido who plays Felipé.
Performing alongside the stellar cast is Klink who is now based in Johannesburg.
She plays the character of Evelyn Fortuin.
The renowned actress told the Plainsman that she enjoyed playing the role of Evelyn.
“She’s a strict matriarch who rules the family who also happens to be a pastor. I've only ever played a pastor once before which was nice. Evelyn loves her children and husband and happens to be wealthy. She is also suspicious and alert as a character,” she said.
Ms Klink attended Parkhurst Primary School from 1978 to 1984. She grew up in Haasendal Close, Westridge, as a young girl.
“I loved growing up in Mitchell’s Plain. The neighbourhood was open. We played kennetjie, blind man's buff, hide and seek and made really good friends. It took me a minute to walk to school as I lived behind it,” she said.
She completed her schooling at Immaculata High School, in Wynberg, and then moved to Pretoria.
Klink has worked in the industry for 29 years. Her wealth of experience started in 1994 at the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PECOFS).
She has starred in local productions 7de Laan, Isidingo, Tussen Duiwels and Arendsvlei to name a few. She has won several awards for her theatre performances, including a kykNET Fiësta for her role as Priscilla in Kristalvlakte; and received Naledi awards for Big Band Blast and Scorched.
She has also acted in the feature films Stroomop for which she won a South African Film and Television Award (Safta), Ellen Pakkies, Dis ek, Anna, Cold Harbour, and Mayfair.
She will be continuing her journey in this industry as long as she can remember words, she said.
“I love working in the industry and entertaining people. I will stay for a while. I am also interested in other things such as buying and selling property,” said Klink.
“A few years before Bradley made the movie, he spoke to me and said he wanted me to act in this movie, that he was writing this role just for me,” she said.
“We spoke about it for three years before shooting the movie. He would have been very proud of what they put together and what they’ve written. It was special and a wonderful journey to shoot this movie with Bradley. He was an incredible human being,” she said.
Klink said it was a dream of hers and Bradley Olivier’s to see the Northern lights. “One day I will go see it and think of him fondly,’ she said.
People should see this movie because it’s a South African production, she said.
“People can relate to it too. It was written by two talented young men. It is a production I am proud to be a part of. In honour of Bradley and the stellar cast, this high quality production is a must see,” she said.
Klink will also be starring as the free-spirited, fiesty character, Rosie in Mamma Mia! at the Artscape Opera House from Wednesday March 6 to Sunday April 7.
Frankie and Felipé will show in cinemas countrywide from Friday February 23.