With the release of the brand new kykNET series “Juffrou X”, we would like to celebrate the incredibly talented Berdene Burger.
Berdene is a producer, director and writer who formed part of PALI’s group 7.
With impressive projects such as “Die Byl”, “Edik van Nantes” and “Boer Soek ‘n Vrou” on her résumé, Berdene’s career seems to be going from strength to strength.
Upon being asked what her favourite memory of her time at PALI is, Berdene responded:
“My most memorable production was not so much a production, but a trip we did to the Cradock Arts Festival in 2011. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong, and we ended up sleeping on a stage. But my most vivid memories of that trip are images of hysterical laughter and joy. “
In 2012 Berdene won PALI’s annual “The Den” film pitching competition with her short film “Spilled Coffee”. In 2013 she produced her first kykNET Silwerskermfees short film, “Die Lang Kat” alongside her now husband, Jan-Hendrik Burger.
"Work harder than you think is expected of you."
We asked her when she realised that she would like to pursue a career as a filmmaker, and she answered:
“In 2012, André Velts made an independent film that a bunch of us worked on. In the middle of a tiny place called Koringberg, with three lenses in a moon-bag, my last cigarette dangling in the corner of my mouth, underneath an explosion of stars, everything suddenly made sense. “
According to Berdene she cannot single out a particular production as something that she feels is her best work to date, because she is proud of every single production she works on.
“I never work half mass. I really try and put everything into every single project I do. “
We asked Berdene whether she has any advice for aspiring filmmakers, to which she responded: “Work harder than you think is expected of you. Be firm, but always kind.”
Catch “Juffrou X” every Tuesday at 20:00 on kykNET.
