Buddy Comedy Starring Frankie and Felipé - An Inspiring Tale of Friendship
Title: The Real Deal Behind Frankie en Felipé – A South African Buddy-Comedy on Friendship and Aspiration
The story behind Frankie en Felipé was brewed by Bradley Olivier and Solomon Cupido, much like two actors dreaming of creating their own film. This dynamic duo set out on a mission to craft a cinematic masterpiece serving as a bridge for viewers to empathize with characters through their hardships and ambitions.
Their creative journey traces back to their high school days, college adventures, and even living in the same complex. Their successful stints in theatre plays focusing on two-handers cemented the foundation for their collaboration in future projects as actors.
Frankie and Felipé, the protagonists of their film, are half-brothers who diverged as children and later reunite under the oddest of circumstances. As Solomon shared, "Given our partnership with Spacekriek and Dakskroef, it was a breeze to craft Frankie and Felipé – two utterly distinct characters."
Bradley described Frankie as the man who climbed out of the flats, centered around his girlfriend and fiancée, as he was an orphan without family. Frankie is the team player who looks after his circle but hasn't dealt with his past issues adequately.
In contrast, Felipé is a mama's boy, spoiled by his parents because he was their only child. After his father's demise, Felipé had to sell fake perfume to take care of his mother. He's a charmer who steals the show at any party.
"If you asked our peers during school, they'd have thought Solomon would play Frankie,” revealed Bradley. “Solomon was the popular lad, the cool guy. I was the funny guy. As we grew, our roles swapped. Now Solomon is one of the funniest actors in South Africa. I did sprinkle quite a bit of my life experiences into Frankie. Unfortunately, I don't own a BMW!”
Marvin-Lee Beukes, the director, felt that their goal was to showcase the diverse realities of brown people in South Africa, proving the stereotype of brown people failing in life wrong. They aspired to create a film that would provoke laughter and tears, inspiring a sense of pride among the brown community.
Frankie en Felipé follows Franklin Blaze (Bradley Olivier), a diligent young man hailing from impoverished roots, hiding his past from his coworkers and fiancée, Kim Fortuin (Kim Syster). One fateful day, Franklin realizes his upcoming wedding and well-earned position are at risk when his biological half-brother, Felipé Baadjies (Solomon Cupido), needs his assistance to repay a loan shark with dangerous connections.
With his back against the wall, Franklin offers Felipé shelter during the wedding preparations but later regrets the decision, leading to a precarious situation that may derail the wedding of the year. Can Frankie and Felipé rekindle their brotherly bond in time to serve their best interests, or will thisplacard spell disaster for the nuptials?
From Page to Screen
In the face of an employment slump and the responsibilities of new fatherhood, Bradley and Solomon found themselves at a crucial turning point, seated in Solomon's kitchen, sipping coffee with no milk due to monetary constraints. In this pivotal moment, they chose to strive for more creatively, sparking the origin of Frankie en Felipé.
Their goal wasn't merely to depict the characters' diversity but also to present a glimpse into Frankie and Felipé's lives, unveiling the hidden truths shrouded behind closed doors. They aimed to reveal that the outer appearance isn't always the complete picture, and many hardships persist within the sanctity of people's homes.
Frankie en Felipé serves as a conduit for viewers to connect with the characters through their struggles and aspirations. It sends a potent message: consistently chase your dreams and work tirelessly to make them a reality, and don't be ashamed of your humble beginnings. Embrace them as building blocks for growth and transformation.
"Since it was our first full-length script, Brett Michael Innes collaborated on the screenplay," says Bradley. "Brett was instrumental in the script's initial structuring and layout, given his experience as a seasoned writer. We received counsel from him regarding the rhythm and structure of a script."
Alas, Bradley Olivier's spirit left us in 2023, but his creative vision lives on through Solomon Cupido's direction and the captivating tale of Frankie en Felipé.
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The creative journey of Bradley Olivier and Solomon Cupido, the minds behind 'Frankie en Felipé', was triggered by a desire to showcase the diverse realities of South African brown people and challenge stereotypes. This endeavor extended beyond the depiction of cultural differences, delving into the lifestyle, family dynamics, and relationships of the characters, offering a glimpse into their hidden struggles and aspirations.
Reminiscing their high school and college days, Bradley and Solomon's successful stints in theater, focusing on two-handers, laid the foundation for their future collaborations in movies and television, merging entertainment with relatable storylines. As they navigated through various challenges, their creation, 'Frankie en Felipé', became a platform for viewers to identify with the characters' experiences and draw inspiration from their harrowing journey towards growth and transformation.
