Katinka Heyns

Katinka Heyns was born on 20 September 1947. She attended the University of Pretoria in South Africa and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in drama. Heyns was married to filmmaker Koos Roets, and their son, Reghard Roets was born in 1973. She married writer Chris Barnard in 1978, with whom she has a son, Simon Barnard. ==Career==

She began her career as an actor playing a part in Jans Rautenbach's Katrina (1969). She went on to be cast in several of Rautenbach's films, including Janie Totsiens (1970), Pappa Lap (1971), and ''Eendag op 'n Reendag'' (1975). Film style Heyns has been influenced heavily by filmmaker Jans Rautenbach who gave her a start for her career in film. Her films attempt to portray political and cultural experiences that are specific to South Africa, while other directors of her time focused on reproducing American style films. Through her films, Heyns tries to bring lesser known issues and ideas into the global conversation, such as mental illness and female empowerment, while consistently doing so in the context of South African culture. ==Filmography==

• The film ''Eendag op 'n Reendag (1975) won the Rapport'' Oscar for Best Actress • The South African Academy of Arts and Science Medal of Honour. • Received the Legendary Award for Women in Film and Television at the International Crystal Awards. • Honorary doctorate from the University of Pretoria, for her contributions to dramatic arts. • Selected to be the South African entry for an Academy Award for the category of Best Foreign Language Film for her film Paljas (1997). Eventually it was not nominated for the award. It was the first time a South African film had been entered in such a division. ==References==