Dirk de Villiers

Dirk de Villiers (26 July 1924 – 28 December 2009) was a South African filmmaker. Considered one of the most prolific filmmakers and a 'Godfather' of the South African film industry, de Villiers made several critically acclaimed films during a career spanning more than six decades.

Personal life Dirk de Villiers was born on 26 July 1924 on the farm Villieria in the Douglas district, Northern Cape, in a family of six children. His mother died when he was four and his father continued farming; the family traces its farming roots to Cornelius Valkenburg de Villiers. After his mother's death Dirk and his brother Niel were raised by relatives and moved between a number of households. He later grew up on the banks of the Vaal River and attended schools in Jagersfontein, Marquard and Bethlehem.

In 1972 he directed the thriller My Broer Se Bril. Subsequent films include Met Liefde Van Adele and The Virgin Goddess (both 1974). In 1976 he released Glenda and Die diamantjagters which gained international attention. His 1978 film Besluit om te sterf addressed euthanasia. De Villiers also founded the Roodepoort Amateur Theater Organization (RATO). Notable feature films include Geheim van Nantes, Kalahari Harry, Die Spaanse Vlieg, My broer se bril, Tant Ralie se losieshuis, Die lewe sonder jou, Die drie Van der Merwes, Met liefde van Adéle, My naam is Dingetjie, and others.

De Villiers produced several popular television serials such as Arende, Meeulanders and Jantjie kom huis toe; the latter is often cited as one of the first South African TV series with a brown cast. In 1990 he won the Artes Award for Best Director of a Dramatic Work for Arende, which also won additional Artes Awards and was later distributed internationally as Cape Rebel in 52 countries. He directed two sequels to the series.

He also directed English-language works including The Snake Dancer, based on the life of stripper Glenda Kemp (who played the lead), That English Woman (an account of Emily Hobhouse), and Abashokobezi, about a black physician returning to his homeland after qualifying abroad.

In 2008 de Villiers was honoured at the Klein Karoo Arts Festival for his contribution to South African film. Over his career he made around 25 feature films and 13 documentaries. In 2010 he was posthumously recognised by the South African Film and Television Industry (Safta) for his lifetime contribution to South African cinema.

Filmography

Year Film Role Genre Ref. 1963 Huis op Horings Actor: Manie Film 1964 Piet my Niggie Actor: Hendrik Tallerman Film 1966 Kavaliers Actor: Gen. de Wet Film 1967 Kruger Miljoene Actor: van der Lindt Film 1967 The Cape Town Affair Actor: Officer at security briefing Film 1967 Hoor My Lied Actor: Former patient of Dawid Film 1968 Jy is My Liefling Director, writer, Actor: van der Merwe Film 1969 Geheim van Nantes Director, screenplay Film 1969 Stadig oor die Klippe Actor: Bosman Film 1970 Die 3 v.d. Merwes Director Film 1971 A New Life Director Film 1972 Die Lewe Sonder Jou Director, writer, Actor: Martin Film 1972 My Broer se Bril Director, writer Film 1973 Die Wit Sluier Director, screenplay, Actor: Dr. Fritz Film 1974 Pens en Pootjies Director, executive producer Film 1974 La diosa virgen Director, producer, writer, Actor: Flint Film 1974 Tant Ralie se Losieshuis Director, Actor: Tommy Film 1974 Met Liefde van Adéle Director, producer, story, screenplay Film 1975 My Naam is Dingetjie Director, Actor: Mr. Roberts Film 1975 The Kingfisher Caper Director, Actor: Les Film 1975 Daan en Doors Oppie Dieggins Director, story, screenplay, Actor: Rival digger Film 1976 Snake Dancer Director, producer Film 1977 Die Ryk Weduwee Director TV series 1977 Crazy People: 'n Mal Mensdom Director, Actor: Afrikaans narrator Film 1977 Dingetjie & Idi Director, producer Film 1978 Die Spaanse Vlieg Director Film 1978 Decision to Die Director Film 1978 Witblits & Peach Brandy Director, screenplay Film 1979 Charlie Word 'n Ster Director, screenplay Film 1979 Herfsland Actor: Senator Gideon Scheepers TV series 1980 Nie Vanweë die Duisternis Actor TV series 1980 April 1980 Actor: Gaffie Krige TV series 1981 Interster Producer TV series 1984 Jantjie Director TV series 1986 Suidpunt-Hotel Director TV series 1986 You Gotta Be Crazy! Director, Actor: Himself TV series 1986 Ou Grote Director TV series 1986 Abashokobezi Director TV series 1989 Cape Rebel Director, producer TV series 1990 That Englishwoman: An Account of the Life of Emily Hobhouse Director, producer Film 1991 Die Allemans Producer TV series 1992 Arende II: MoordenaarsKaroo Director, producer TV series 1993 Arende III: Dorsland Director, producer, Actor: Crazy man TV series 1994 Kalahari Harry Director, producer, screenplay Film 1994 Arende Director Film 1996 Meeulanders Producer TV movie 1997 Kaalgat Tussen die Daisies Producer, Actor: Kowus Pelzer TV series 1999 Hunt for the Man in the Moon Producer TV series 2001 Lied van die Lappop Director, producer TV series