The boy next door

The boy next door Not so much skollie as cutie-pie Dann-Jacques Mouton, a born Namibian who plays the lead role in South African movie ‘Noem my Skollie’ sat down with Jemima Beukes this week to share a bit about himself. The film ‘Skollie’ is set on the Cape Flats and in the Pollsmoor Prison and is based on the life of the film’s scriptwriter, John Fredericks.

Who is Dann-Jacques Mouton?

I am a child of Namibia, but obviously my circumstances dictated that I grew up in Cape Town. Namibia is where my heart is. I was born in Windhoek and moved to Cape Town when I was four but came back to Windhoek for primary school.

Noem My Skollie, has been nominated as for an Oscar, how do you feel carrying two countries on your shoulders?

I am very proud of our achievement and how people have reacted to the movie. There is no need for us Africans to feel inferior - we do amazing work. Most amazing is that Noem My Skollie is the first film set on the Cape Flats and told by the coloured people themselves.

The truth is you are a boy from Namibia who landed an almost sacred but crucial role. How did you manage this?

Well the truth is Coloured people are innately storytellers, and growing up on a farm where we shared stories around the fire nurtured my storytelling gift. But I am very privileged to have been given this role. I am very honoured that they trusted me with the part especially given the fact that the film was based on a true story, but I could never have done this without my co-actors.

Noem my Skollie is a deep and intense movie that has moved its entire audience. What did you – the person – learn from this story?

I am inspired by Boeta John’s testimony, his urge to better himself despite his difficult upbringing. Quitting his job at age 50 to pursue his dream to finally write a book about his life. It speaks about a strong character – we all know that guy, in our families, in our communities, someone who has faltered but who has a dream and needs to re-discover that dream. I would not have been where I am now, my mom made some very good choices in her life.

Apart from Noem my Skollie you managed to land the role in yet another South African movie - Abraham and is also seen on television as Jason in the South African soapy 7de Laan. How did you manage this in South Africa’s extremely competitive industry?

Actors always say I did not choose the industry the industry chose me - and this is true for me. It swallows you. But you have to put in lots of hours, to sacrifice family time. But then I believe in fate - for me it was written. But an actor’s success has a lot to do with who they work with – who you know and who knows you well enough to push you through.

How did you prepare for your role as AB?

I listened to a lot of violent music. Hemelbesem’s music was also perfect; his use of language is astonishing. The entire evening before the day we would shoot the kissing scenes, I usually listened to love songs. But I also talked to Boeta John a lot; I was fortunate to have access to the man whose life story I was telling. I could always go to him for advice and this is unique, not every actor has this privilege.