Screen legend Tobie Cronjé on laughter and Die Bloedhonde

In Die Bloedhonde, screen legend Tobie Cronjé plays a dominee who is suspected of murder. At least, by Katrien (SAFTA nominee Elani Dekker from SA Oscar entry Toorbos), who is convinced there is something suspicious about the apparent suicide at the holiday resort where she is camping with her family. 

Die Bloedhonde is the feature film debut of writer-director Stiaan Smith, the SAFTA-winning co-creator of Hotel. It’s produced by Nagvlug Films, who were also behind acclaimed series like Donkerbos and Nêrens, Noord-Kaap. 

Watch the trailer for Die Bloedhonde

Roz Els spoke to Tobie about the Showmax Original, which News24 hails as “a quirky whodunit that will keep you guessing” in their four-star review. 

How did you get involved in Die Bloedhonde?

Stiaan Smith [the screenwriter and director] sent me the script, and I thought he was just sending it for me to read. I was so impressed with it. Wow, he is a good writer. The way he mixed the comedy and such dark drama was truly wonderful. And then he told me that I should be involved, and I agreed to help him with the script. Then he said, 'No, you have to play the priest!' I was a little scared, because, yes, I have played a pastor many times in my career, but it wasn't one like this. This pastor is suspected of murder. So it was quite difficult for me, but a wonderful experience.

What was difficult about the role?

You have to keep the audience guessing. He can't look guilty at the beginning, but there must still be enough reason for Katrien to suspect him. This was really difficult; I had a few sleepless nights. So the rounding out of the character was about how he is a little too friendly, and how he hides his dark side. Oh! It's hard to talk about it without giving the story away!

What message do you hope stays with viewers after watching Die Bloedhonde?

It is wonderful to me that we as Afrikaners can still laugh at ourselves. What attracted me to the script was that it is an extremely Afrikaans family, in a very Afrikaans setting. They go to this campsite every Christmas; it's braai and beer and tents. I think that's what made Elani's character, Katrien, so fed up! (laughs) She just couldn't take it anymore! And it's fantastic how her parents handle it. It's so Afrikaans, and funny. I hope people learn that, as a nation, we should always laugh at ourselves. Even if a situation becomes serious – as happens in the movie – we still have to keep our tongues firmly in our cheeks. Laughter is always the best medicine.

What are your impressions of our local film industry at the moment?

I still adore the industry. During Covid there was so little work, I thought I should just retire; it's not fun anymore. But then Hans Steek Die Rubicon Oor came across my path, and then Die Bloedhonde. And then I just realised I’m still really crazy about it. It gives me goosebumps! (laughs) 

I was talking to someone the other day about my career going forward, because one's energy diminishes. I don't think I'll do a stage production again. Not plays anyway; it takes too much energy from A to Z. But still films, and maybe smaller things. 

And then someone asked me if I ever wanted to be a teacher. I thought, ‘Yes, I would love to.’ For a large part of my career, farce comedies were my speciality, and I was crazy about it. A farce works as precisely as a clock; it has to be done just right. And I have worked on it for so long that I have learned a lot and I would like to pass that knowledge on to other people.

Watch Die Bloedhonde on Showmax.