Originally published by www.litnet.co.za under my column Reeltime.

I needed to hug someone after watching Skoonheid. One, because I was happy to have just watched the best South-African film ever made, and two, to calm my nerves. Oliver Hermanus has made a rather brilliant, but exceedingly disturbing film.

In a nutshell

Closeted Francois’ perfect life as a husband, father, entrepreneur is about to unravel as he meets the young and gorgeous Christiaan.

Mood of the film

You live inside Francois’ emotionally suppressed mind for the entire film. It is a sombre place.

Best one-liner

Six two-tone- and golf-shirt-wearing okes stand around a kitchen table drinking beer in the middle of the day. A seventh oke rocks up and is soon followed by a very feminine, person of colour. The original six immediately gets their rugby shorts in a twist.

“Geen moffies. Geen kleurlinge,” is the explanation.

Best performance

Deon Lotz is according to rumour receiving many international acting offers. He deserves every one of them. He plays a closeted family man, living a double live and observing everyone and everything around him carefully. Yet he makes you care about him. He sets you up for what ultimately happens.

Stand out scene

I cannot discuss the scene that impacted me the most. It is truly upsetting, but wonderfully portrayed by a monstrous, but pathetic Deon Lotz and a vulnerable Charlie Keegan. You will recognise the scene.

Negatives?

One or two things were not explained clearly. Why Christian needed the money? What the envelope full of cash was for? Or did I miss the point?

What makes the film relevant today?

It deals with the possibly explosive consequences of suppressing who you really are – whether you are gay, straight or simply stuck in a job you hate. It could all make you go ‘postal’.

FYI

Skoonheid won the 2011 Queer Palmes award and was the first Afrikaans film selected to be shown at Cannes. It was also awarded the Best South African Feature Film as well as The Jury Special Mention Prize at the 2011 Durban International Film Festival.

My score

90%

*Ster-Kinekor sponsored my popcorn.