Best friends Solomon Cupido and the late Bradley Olivier team up in new buddy romcom
Sara-Jayne Makwala King is joined by actor Solomon Cupido to discuss his latest role in the film Frankie en Felipe, also starring his best friend and co-writer, the late Bradley Olivier.
Frankie and Felipe
If you're in the mood for a laugh-out-loud, heart-warming and thought provoking film, then head out to see Frankie & Felipé, which opened at cinemas this weekend.
It tells the story of two brothers who are split apart as children and whose lives take two completely different paths.
Franklin, a hardworking young man from an impoverished background hides his past from his colleagues and fiancée.
But he realises his upcoming wedding and prestigious job are at stake when his biological halfbrother, Felipé rocks up desperate for his help.
The film aims to showcase the diverse realities of brown people in South Africa.
Best friends Solomon Cupido and Bradley Olivier, who hail from Paarl, are the writers, actors and producers.
Sadly, Olivier died suddenly, four months after the film was shot.
For Cupido, seeing the film come to fruition has been bittersweet.
"The show must go on. So I had to continue editing the movie. A month after his passing, we did our first screening at the Silwerskermfees and my best friend and business partner was not there. We were nominated for seven awards and he wasn't there to celebrate with us. So it was really tough..."
-Solomon Cupido, actor
The idea for the script came about during a time when the two friends were broke and without work. The pair had been living in the same complex at the time and while sitting on a hard, cold floor drinking tea one morning, the concept was born.
"After seeing the repsonse last night, I couldnt believe my eyes and ears. I was so emotional. Bradley and I worked so hard for 16 years in this industry. And now I'm the only one sitting at the table."
-Solomon Cupido, actor
The movie feature a suburb ensemble cast with some of the best Afrikaans film actors like Ilse Klink, Zane Meas, Shimmy Isaacs, Lee-Ann Van Rooi, Brendon Daniels and Terence Bridgett.
"Working with legends like Ilse Klink, Zane Meas and Lee-Ann Van Rooi...they came up with new ideas on the day. You could see the experience and talent. It was an absolute honour to work with them."
-Solomon Cupido, actor
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