SA actor's star on the rise

Bloemfontein – His dream is to play the lead in a European or Hollywood film or a role opposite Sean Penn or Robert De Niro.

At the pace the roles have been streaming in for Deon Lotz over the past year, this dream may not be too unrealistic.

Especially since the international exposure he received at the Cannes Film Festival this year, one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the world.

South African film Skoonheid, which stars Lotz, was the first Afrikaans film to screen in competition at Cannes and won the Queer Palm award. It tells the story of a middle-aged family man, played by Lotz, and his obsession with a younger man.

The film was screened on local soil for the very first time at the Durban International Film Festival last weekend.

Lotz is excited over the public's reaction to Skoonheid, which will be screened in South African cinemas from 5 August.

"Hopefully it will result in many discussions. The more reaction, the better."

Tremendous respect

Lotz also stars as the rigid father Abraham Rademan in Roepman, and as former President FW de klerk in the upcoming Winnie.

He is currently on stage with the musical Stuur groete aan Mannetjies Roux at the Sand du Plessis Theatre in Bloemfontein. He playes the role of Oom Frans, young Engela's uncle who is a boer on the Karoo farm Dwarsbult.

"It's a nice role because he (Oom Frans) talks a lot about the tries of Mannetjies Roux and he also broadcasts a bit of rugby. Oom Frans has his secrets, but he is a good man and really tries to do the right things that will be the best for everyone."

Lotz teams up with Paul Eilers again, director of Mannetjies Roux and Roepman, who directed him in different plays over the last six years.

"We have tremendous respect for each other and a mutual understanding. I produce most of the productions and it is great that he is part of it."

They met each other in 2005 on Pieter Fourie's Faan se Trein, but Lotz says it feels a lot longer because they have worked together so often.

Aardklop

They will be performing together at Aardklop in early October in Die onbeholpe Djin, ’n klug van Jan van Tonder (writer of Roepman).

At the festival, Lotz will also be in the drama Agterplaas, which will be in Bloemfontein from 17 to 19 October.

In August, Lotz begins filming Sleepers Wake and in early 2012 he starts work on Veraaiers by the producers of Roepman.

"As long as I can work, I am happy. I feel very blessed lately. Before this year I was very busy with theatre and radio; I did a lot of film work this year and hope that it will increase over time," said Lotz.

Stuur groete aan Mannetjies Roux is on stage at 19:30 from Thursday until Saturday at the Sand du Plessis Theatre in Bloemfontein. Tickets cost between R150 and R240 and is available at Pacofs, 051 447 7772.