Get ready for a risqué ride: 'Khaki Fever' turns game drives into hilarious adventures

IOL News

16 hours ago

Abel Knobel and Christopher Jaftha during a scene in 'Khaki Fever'.
Image: Supplied.
South Africans are renowned for their love for the bush, with Mzansi's breathtaking natural surroundings also attracting scores of travellers from across the globe.
Whether it's for the chance to catch a glimpse of one of the Big 5 in action or to unwind in scenic settings under the embrace of the African sun, the nation's nature resorts are a hot commodity.
Then there is the beloved South African hospitality, as well as those khaki fits, which have generated plenty of viral fashion trends.
With all of this in mind, local film-maker Brett Michael Innes decided to put a comical and raunchy spin on the country's bush culture with 'Khaki Fever', a new film premiering on Showmax next month.
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Anja Taljaard, Abel Knobel, Christopher Jaftha, Anja Taljaard, Sean Brebnor, Francois Jacobs and Liam Bosman in 'Khaki Fever'.
Image: Supplied.
The Afrikaans comedy, which Innes wrote and produced with his husband Nick Ahlers, is a labour of love.
'We just love the bush,' he told 'Independent Media Lifestyle' during an interview.
'We always go there with friends and family, and when you see 'Khaki Fever' taking off, we thought someone had to make a movie about that, and we were the ones who did it.'
Innes added: 'I love a good comedy and I think that the world needs one right now. I love doing the heavier stuff, but I don't think that the world has the bandwidth to engage with too much trauma on the screen and just needs a good laugh on a Friday night.'
'Khaki Fever' centres around a group of quirky game rangers who set up a challenge to see who can have sex with the most tourists during a season.
As they battle for the 'King of Khaki' title as well as the losers' collective tips from the season, the eccentric rangers will also have to outsmart the stern and rigid conservative lodge manager.
Trix Vivier plays a conservative lodge manager in 'Khaki Fever'.
Image: Supplied.
As they get their salacious shenanigans underway, the group also face the prospect of being fired if they are caught fraternising with the guests.
Drawing parallels between this movie and risqué Hollywood hits, Innes warned that this type of comedy could 'ruffle a few feathers.'
'I think that the people who enjoy this kind of humour are going to love it, so if you like 'The Hangover', 'Bridesmaids' and those types of movies, you will definitely love this one!'
However, he is wary of critics.
Ilse Klink in 'Khaki Fever'.
Image: Supplied.
'I am expecting a mixed reception when 'Khaki Fever' is released because I know that it might offend and not impress many of the most conservative viewers, and that's fine; they don't have to push play.'
'We are not here with the necessary intention of being controversial, but you do have a group of people, where if there is even one swear word, they are upset, so this movie is definitely not for them.'
Meanwhile, Innes spoke of the challenges of casting for this kind of project.
'Finding the cast was tricky because a lot of local actors either don't do sex and nudity or don't enjoy this style of humour but we had an excellent casting director which was vital for this film.'
Christopher Jaftha in 'Khaki Fever'.
Image: Supplied.
'We wanted to make sure that beyond the talent, that everyone was lekker because film-making is hard enough and it was a case of making sure that everyone who came to the party wanted to be at the party and we ended up creating a hub of people who got each other, who cared deeply for each other and who felt safe.'
Innes was thrilled with 'Khaki Fever's' illustrious cast, which includes Saftas-nominated Christopher Jaftha alongside four 2025 Silwerskerm nominees Anja Taljaard, Trix Vivier, Liam Bosman and Ilse Klink.
They are joined by other top Afrikaans stars such as Abel Knobel, Francois Jacobs, Sean Brebnor, Juanita de Villiers and Izette Blignaut, with special appearances from exquisite lions, giraffe, hyena and a runaway French bulldog named Chardonnay.
'I think that what will surprise viewers the most about the movie is the heart in it,' Innes explained.
Chardonnay the French Bulldog in 'Khaki Fever'.
Image: Supplied.
'The headline that people lean into is how risque it is and I don't think they are going to expect how warm they will feel at the end of this.'
'It is very heartfelt, we are not here to make people feel bad about life.'
Overall, Innes hopes that 'Khaki Fever' will result in a few more offerings as it brings people from all walks of life together.
'I would really love for it to become one of the most viewed films on the streamer because we have an entire world for a second and third movie.'
'I also want to bring this family together again and have some fun in the bush!'