Trust the Legehness – dir. Anna Verloren van Themaat

(Honorable Mention)

Original Film Title: Trust the Legehness

Director’s Name: Anna Verloren van Themaat

Writer’s Name:

Producer:Stepahnie Burger

Country of Origin: South Africa

Country of Filming : South Africa

Language: Afrikaans

Runtime: 3 minutes 16 seconds

Film Description:

I was immediately drawn to ‘Trust the Legehness’ because of my love for Afrikaans, dance, electronic music and philosophy. ‘Legehness’ is a playful twist on the word ‘Lekker,’ blending Afrikaans and English—a phenomenon that Peach, the vocalist from Van Pletzen, refers to as ‘Mengels.’

The word Lekker is used as an adjective or adverb to positively describe almost any Afrikaans experience. But ‘Trust the Legehness’ is more than just a phrase—it’s a philosophy, a mantra, a way of life. It’s about trusting in all that is good.

To bring this philosophy to life, I wanted to infuse it with a distinctly Afrikaans cultural and religious visual identity. I asked myself: What do I remember about my cultural identity as a child? What did it look and feel like?

One vivid memory stands out—twirling in my red Volkspele dress in the school hall. That moment gave me a deep sense of belonging, strength, and freedom. Dancing together with unity and shared purpose created a feeling of oneness, a joyful spiritual connection.

Similarly, I’ve reached that same state while dancing to techno for hours. The rhythm, energy, and shared experience evoke a profound sense of presence and unity, much like those early moments in my Volkspele dress.

The choreography was inspired by the Vaganova style of character dancing, contemporary dance, and a touch of Pina Bausch’s influence. Louise Coetzer did an incredible job reinterpreting my references and perfectly capturing the mood I envisioned through the movement.