Op Soek na Reënboë (In Search of Rainbows) is a made-for-TV film written and directed by Stefan Enslin, a marriage portrait drama about a couple struggling through a crisis of faith. Starring Gerhard Steyn (Reyka, Dam) and Izel Bezuidenhout (Flatland), the production seems like excerpts from a much broader story, capturing snapshots of a married couple's journey starting with the birth of their son.
You could describe Op Soek na Reënboë as faith-based, touching on Faith Like Potatoes territory as a farmer goes against the grain in a bid to yield a crop and his wife struggles with her tendency to be over-protective of their only son. However, the drama steers clear of becoming overtly preachy and sidesteps many pitfalls of the subgenre to offer a more circumspect view.
Interlacing visits with their therapist, the story unwinds as we get a clearer picture of what's driving the underlying tension in their marriage. Meeting with their counsellor separately and then together, this confessional situation links to scenes that chronicle their relationship and its challenges. Cutting to the heart of matters, Op Soek na Reënboë has a sentimental feel, offering intimate reflections on the couple and widening this to include their journey of faith.
The main thrust of Op Soek na Reënboë is around Steyn and Bezuidenhout as Francois and Daleen, but also comes to include their son AJ, played by Joshua Nolte, who's caught in the middle. Gathering momentum as the drama progresses, a Good Samaritan story featuring Roderick Jaftha as Samuel intertwines as a string of setbacks force Francois to recalibrate his belief in a higher power. Cleverly pushing off these supporting strands, one gets a fuller understanding of the couple's need for and search for rainbows, essentially a sign from God that everything's going to be okay.
This heartfelt coming-of-age drama features earnest performances as a chronicle of a marriage. While shot in a short space of time, the made-for-TV film's quality is expressed in its artful edge, offering smooth visuals and a gliding edit with some thoughtful shots to complement the faith-based elements. It's quite amazing how much ground Op Soek na Reënboë covers in a short space of time, touching on many themes and deft enough to wield some surprises too. While Francois realises the limits of his faith, it's curious to see how his interpretation of God's will plays out.
Steeped in drama and finding many layers in translating its story to screen, Op Soek na Reënboë benefits from earnest performances, thoughtful storytelling and good production values. Much like rainbows, this drama's about getting through the rain and finding hope again. A timely message for many people struggling with mental health and repairing strained relationships after the wrecking ball that is and was the pandemic, this film will resonate strongly. Powered by a message about enduring hardships and never giving up, Op Soek na Reënboë harnesses some universal truths in its triumph of the human spirit tale.
