REVIEW: SHOWMAX ORIGINAL ROMCOM, TROUKOORS (WEDDING FEVER)
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Showmax has released a first-look trailer for Troukoors (Wedding Fever), the first Showmax Original rom-com, which will be available to binge from 13 December 2021.
We were fortunate to watch it ahead of the release, it’s a refreshing series for Showmax and it shows that the benchmark for series in South Africa has been seriously raised. We literally binged on it over one evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a series that showcases that relationships, as we knew it, have evolved and that there are alternatives for us as a society to embrace. After all, LOVE IS LOVE, isn’t it?!
On this side of the world, we can be conservative at the best of times. Troukoors pushes the boundary by highlighting the different relations that exist in our society whether we choose to accept or believe that they do.
Troukoors is made by SAFTA winner Louis Pretorius and SAFTA nominee Albert Snyman of Infinity Films, the creators of critically acclaimed and much-loved shows like Die Boekklub and Fynskrif, with regular collaborator Nina Swart directing.
“Troukoors is like good champagne: light and bubbly and more-ish, with a tendency to bring out people’s naughty sides,” says Candice Fangueiro, head of content at Showmax. “It’s like Younger or The Bold Type, but set against the splendour and romance of the Cape wedding industry.” – Candice Fangueiro, Head of Content at Showmax
Bianca Flanders (Abi) Photo: Lauren Kriedemann
Troukoors is a refreshing take not just on love, VR sex and deepfake porn, but family too. For the first time in a South African series, I see a true representation of the modern South African family. It felt great to see characters representation of what my family looks like on screen. Performances by Kevin Smith (Skemerdans) as Abi’s dad (and Luca’s boss) and Melt Sieberhagen (Proesstraat) as Kevin’s boyfriend were incredible, not your usual OTT that is synonymous when gay characters are included in a series or movie storyline.
“Troukoors gives us an opportunity to ask questions about how a blended family works, we break the rules. It’s what’s so stunning about this project to me.” says Kevin Smith
Ilse-Lee van Niekerk (Getroud Met Rugby, 4 Mure, Die Boekklub) stars as Jessica, a wedding planner who’s surrounded by love but struggling to find it for herself.
Former child star Blyde Smit (Erfsondes, 7de Laan) plays Jessica’s sister Luca, a software developer who is more fluent in Klingon than flirting, with Fleur du Cap nominee Bianca Flanders (Nêrens, Noord-Kaap; Address Unknown) as her bisexual best friend Abi, a professional baker. SAFTA winner Kevin Smith (Skemerdans) is Abi’s dad (and Luca’s boss), with Melt Sieberhagen (Proesstraat) as his boyfriend.
The trailer also gives us our first glimpse of the three besties’ love interests this season, including Armand Aucamp (Tom in Die Boekklub), Christiaan Schoombie (Warrior), Evan Hengst (Miles in The Kissing Booth 1-3), Danny Ross (Nommer 37), and Fiesta Upcoming Artist nominee Emma van Heyn.
Watch Troukoors (Wedding Fever) first and only on Showmax from 13 December 2021. I can’t wait for season 2, Showmax has already renewed the rom-com for a second season, launching in 2022.
