You might recognize her from the film adaptation of Vaselinetjie (2017) or the latest Afrikaans rom-com – Vergeet My Nie (2020). But there is much more to this leading actress than what you see on screen. Marguerite van Eeden spoke with MatieMedia about all aspects of her life: From her experience studying drama, to her journey as an actress and photographer.
Marguerite van Eeden is best known for her leading role in the film adaptation of the well known book Vaselinetjie. PHOTO: Maryam Adams
Marguerite van Eeden is an actress that needs no introduction. Following her performance as the lead in Vaselinetjie (2017), she has been deemed a promising young actress and is leaving her mark on the South African film industry.
The young actress is currently living in Seapoint or, as she calls it, “the heart of Cape Town”. She spends her days completing online auditions and castings, studying towards her masters degree in theatre studies at Stellenbosch University and capturing moments as a freelance photographer.
On screen
“I read a book about horses,” says Marguerite, as she recalls how her career in front of the screen began.
The book was My Pony, and Marguerite was six years old. After reading the book, she desperately wanted to be the girl on the front cover who was pictured riding a horse. What followed was an email to the publishing house from a young Marguerite, inquiring about the possibility of the book being adapted into a film, and a request that she play the role of the girl riding the horse.
Although the response to her email was that a film would not be made, this incident is what led to Marguerite’s realization that she wanted to pursue a career in acting.
What followed was many emails and calls to acting agencies in search of representation. Marguerite giggles as she recalls how her ‘CV’ back then, included her most important work at the time: “Snoepie prefects and horse riding.”
At 15, she finally met with MPM Acting Agency, where she was signed. Unlike most high-school students, Marguerite spent her afternoons travelling back and forth between her home in Paarl to Cape Town, where she would attend the latest castings and auditions.
Although her first on-screen appearance was for a Coca-Cola commercial, it was her performance in Vaselinetjie that really established and kick-started her career in film.
She was cast as the lead in the film adaptation of the well-known book during her first year at Stellenbosch University. The book, written by Anoeschka van Meck, deals with themes of race and identity in a post-apartheid South Africa. The film was celebrated widely throughout South Africa and Marguerite played alongside the late Shaleen Surtie-Richards.
According to Marguerite, she felt that Vaselintjie directors Corné van Rooyen and René van Rooyen were influential in teaching her all that she knows about film today.
“They taught me an immense amount about acting, respect for [the craft] and how it works,” she says.
In 2020, Marguerite took on the role of Mardaleen, in the latest Afrikaans romantic comedy, Vergeet my nie. This role presented Marguerite with the opportunity to travel to London, Namibia and Potchefstroom for shoots. “I am so thankful for this,” says Marguerite. “It is always such a privilege to travel.”
Kissing on camera and a changing industry
“I have been paid to kiss more people than I have actually kissed in my real life,” laughs Marguerite.
Remember that Coca-Cola job? Marguerite is still in disbelief as to how she landed the job. She thinks it was most likely because she was the only person in the room brave and willing to kiss someone on camera.
As a result of often starring as the lead female character, there are often romantic interests. “I get to work with beautiful men, and all we do is kiss,” jokes Marguerite.
But, turning more serious, Marguerite says that she’ll hopefully “get to kiss some girls [on screen] soon”. She feels strongly about the need for more inclusive films in South Africa.
Although Marguerite feels films such as Inxeba (The wound) (2017) and Canary (2018) are more representative and “a step in the right direction”, she feels there is still space for growth in the industry.
“Our films need to start representing our country in its entirety,” says Marguerite, adding that there is a need to “tell other love stories. Love stories that are not just two hetrosexual people in love.”
Behind the screen
Marguerite works as a freelance photographer and is currently busy with a portrait series. PHOTO: Supplied/Marguerite van Eeden; Graphics/Maryam Adams
Although Marguerite is best known for her work on screen, her work as a photographer and producer behind the screen has gained more traction over the last year.
Her photography, which began as a creative outlet during the Covid-19 lockdown, has turned into a passion that Marguerite hopes to continue for a long time. Through her work, she hopes to capture people and moments in a way that is honest and true, and free of saturated edits and photoshop.
Marguerite finds joy in the opportunity to “represent this moment in time that you are never going to get again”.
Her photography has been featured on the front cover of the Huisgenoot when she photographed Simoné Nortmann, a fellow South African actress, and someone whom Marguerite looks up to.
Working with top South African artists such as Die Heuwels Fantasties and Majozi, Marguerite has enjoyed working behind the scenes assisting with the production of their latest music videos.
Off screen
When Marguerite is not on screen or behind the lense, an average day in her life begins with an early morning swim or jog, followed by a few hours working on her thesis. Afternoons are devoted to completing online auditions and spending time with her friends.
“I want to live this life, enjoy it, travel, and be a nice person,” she says.
