Schalk Bezuidenhout leads rom-com, 'Soos Pynappel op Pizza'

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Schalk Bezuidenhout, the celebrated South African stand-up comedian, is taking on his first lead role in a romantic comedy.

The film, Soos Pynappel op Pizza (Like Pineapple on Pizza), is set to premiere on Valentine’s Day on Showmax.

SCHALK BEZUIDENHOUT’S NEW ROLE

Bezuidenhout is no stranger to the screen. He has starred in the award-winning Kanarieand won a SAFTA for his role as Danny in the sitcom Hotel, according to Showmax Stories.

He also received a nomination for his portrayal of Attie in Taktiek.

In Soos Pynappel op Pizza, Bezuidenhout plays Waldo, a heartbroken chef. Waldo is forced by his parents to attend a singles retreat.

There, he meets Becca, played by Kate Pinchuck. Pinchuck is known for her SAFTA-nominated performance in Tali’s Baby Diary.

SCHALK BEZUIDENHOUT AND KATE PINCHUCK

“When we first meet Waldo, his heart has been broken, and he’s very down and depressed,” Bezuidenhout explains.

“He’s also living with his parents. Because he’s a chef, he cooks for them in exchange for living there.

His parents are hippies and very open about sex and the like, but they’ve had enough of him feeling sorry for himself and forced him to go to a singles retreat.

He doesn’t want to go.”

Bezuidenhout could relate to Waldo’s slump after a heartbreak, according to Urban Lifestyle.

SCHALK BEZUIDENHOUT ON HEARTBREAK

He said, “I’ve been heartbroken before, but I’ve never been single for long. Not because I go looking for relationships, but because when I meet someone and I like them, I go for it.

I don’t play games. If I like someone, I tell them.”

Bezuidenhout enjoyed working with Kate Pinchuck. “Well, she is hilarious. I knew she would be great in the film, and she is.

And because we’re friends, we didn’t need to do any chemistry work for our characters,” he said.

SIMILARITIES TO THE CHARACTERS

He also noted their similarities to their characters. “Kate is also a lot like her character, Becca. She’s very sassy.”

Schalk Bezuidenhout added that their friendship allowed them to push boundaries and be comfortable with each other on set, according to Actor Spaces.

“Also, if you’re very comfortable with each other – like we are – you can push the boundaries more because you know this person is fine with it.

They aren’t, they are also comfortable enough to just say, “Don’t do that.”

SCHALK BEZUIDENHOUT FIRST LEADING ROLE

Bezuidenhout mentioned that this is his first time as the lead in a rom-com. He was the sidekick in Kaalgat Karel.

“So, in terms of being the lead, this was a first.”

Schalk Bezuidenhout also noted that casting directors often choose him and Pinchuck as sidekicks because of their looks.

“My curly hair usually puts me in the category of the Quirky Best Friend or something like that.

Kate Pinchuck is often typecast as the Sassy Best Friend, who usually just cheers on the main character.

So I don’t think most people will expect us as leads, but I think it’s refreshing.”

LOCAL ROM COMS

Schalk Bezuidenhout believes this film differs from other local romcoms.

“We don’t go full-on balls to the walls, but I think in comparison with a lot of Afrikaans romcoms, this one is more on the raunchy side. We talk more openly about sex,” he said.

Director Morné Strydom had to tone down Bezuidenhout and Pinchuck’s improv.

“Morné [Strydom, the director] had to tone us down quite a bit because we often go for the joke so much that we miss the sincere moments,” Bezuidenhout explained.

FINDING LOVE

Schalk Bezuidenhout added, “It’s also better to create out of abundance – so improv ten jokes and then Morné can say, “I like three of those; cut the rest.”

Soos Pynappel op Pizza promises to be a refreshing and relatable romantic comedy. It explores themes of heartbreak, self-discovery, and finding love in unexpected places.