“This was the most fun I’ve ever had on a set” Liam Bosman on record-breaking Khaki Fever film

After launching on Friday, Khaki Fever had the biggest opening weekend of any Afrikaans film on Showmax ever. The 18SNL comedy also held off stiff competition from Oscar winners like Anora and The Brutalist to be the most streamed film on Showmax overall for the weekend.

The raunchy Showmax Original follows a group of game rangers who make a bet to see who can hook up with the most tourists during a season.

Liam Bosman and Francois Jacobs in Khaki Fever

Liam Bosman plays Stoffel: the most inexperienced ranger, in every way. At this year’s kykNET Silwerskerm Awards, the Diepe Waters favourite was nominated in the Supporting Actor categories for both Khaki Fever and kykNET drama series Een Keer Om Die Son. He lost out in the film category to his Khaki Fever co-star Francois Jacobs – a full circle moment as he started his career at 11 in Vir die Voëls, playing a younger version of Francois’ character.

To find out more, we caught up with Liam, who is also currently starring in Spoorloos: Losprys on kykNET on Tuesday nights at 8PM.  

What did you think of Stoffel when you read the script?

My first impression was that he had the energy of a dachshund or a Labrador. He is very lovable, and who doesn't like a dachshund?

This role is quite a leap from your previous roles. Were you deliberately looking for a character that was less serious than, for example, Johan in Diepe Waters or Markus in Een Keer Om Die Son? 

I'm always looking for roles that differ from my previous work. This was a crazy, funny script and a fantastic team. People who know me know that I’m not a serious person at all. This was the most fun I’ve ever had on a set, and I think you can see that in the film.

That’s a big claim. Can you explain why? 

Brett makes a point of making the set comfortable. He’s one of the best because he puts in the technical work but he and Nick [Ahlers, the co-writer and producer, and Brett’s husband] also put a lot of emphasis on a nice working environment. They don’t scare you into getting what they want; they give love and vibes.

I have an example. One day on set, a few of the crew and I decided to play a prank on Brett, and Nick was the mastermind behind it. There’s a scene where Stoffel takes Viagra pills, and then on set, I pretended that someone had mixed real Viagra pills with the fake ones. I started yelling at Brett and the props master, and then ended with, ‘This shoot is over, I’m going to sue you and this movie won’t come out!’. Anja [Taljaard] even started crying. Then I said, ‘Do you want to see, Brett?’. He was very uncomfortable and red in the face. Then I opened my gown so they could see my swollen little Liam … But it was just a picture of Brett that I had stapled to my underpants! (laughs) 

On what other set could you do that?

How did the audition process go?

I auditioned specifically for Stoffel. I wondered if I shouldn’t also read for the sexy Daniel character but I knew I couldn’t pull off that sex appeal! But a Labrador? Maybe. I worked hard on my audition, and I tried everything, from a lisp to glasses to crop tops. But in the end, it was a case of playing with the right energy, that dachshund energy. 

How many of your lines were improvised? 

After the first take of doing the scene according to the script, Brett said I could improvise the next take. That was the last time in the film that I did a take with the script as is! Brett and Nick are brilliant writers, but if you let an actor play, he’s going to play.

The rest was just a new challenge every day to see if I could make the crew laugh. The best feeling in the world is when you improvise a line and they have to cut because the cameraman is shaking from laughing too much. Then you’ve done your job right!

It is double the work though. There was a speech at the end of the film where Stoffel is talking to the other rangers, and I spent the night before we filmed that scene writing and testing things out until I had five different variations of that speech. With improvisation, you work as both an actor and a writer.  

Why should people watch Khaki Fever?

Life can be hard but this is a necessary escape.

Also, if I ever meet a girl again who thinks Afrikaans is not sexy, I will suggest this movie. I suggest everyone does!

Watch the trailer for Khaki Fever

Watch Khaki Fever on Showmax.

What people are saying

“One of the most buzzed about pieces of content in quite a while.” Thinus Ferreira, News24

“Khaki Fever is pure escapism. I haven’t laughed so hard in a while. It’s sexy (those itty-bitty shorts are going to start a new trend), hilarious and thoroughly entertaining... Everyone will never look at game drives the same again. 4/5 stars.” Debashine Thangevelo, IOL

“Titillating, steamy fun.” Tymon Smith, Sunday Times

"There are wonderful words in Afrikaans to describe this sex comedy. Lusty, frisky, horny, wild, bawdy – you name it. The film is meant to be nothing more than fun." Laetitia Pople, Netwerk24

“A cheeky and daring comedy where the sexual tension runs almost as high as a Covid temperature… Will surprise the average viewer, make them laugh out loud, and entertain them thoroughly… 4/5.” Roelof Bezuidenhout, Bioskoop

“With Khaki Fever, it is exciting to see how streaming services are reimagining the boundaries of Afrikaans entertainment.” Waldimar Pelser, channel director: Premium Channels, MultiChoice