“I challenged myself.”
It started out as a comedy series about a café crew. On October 6, 1990, the VRT – which was then called the BRT – changed history without even knowing it. The first episode of FC DE Kampioenen went on air. The series came to an end in 2011. A few more inferior films and endless repetitions followed. In addition to a television series, there has also been a comic series of the same name since 1997.
Bieke – played by An Swartenbroekx – was a character from the very beginning. Swartenbroekx would not go further as an actress than the – in Flanders – world-famous guy with the ponytail. An is the daughter of René Swartenbroekx, who, like herself, wrote screenplays such as Verschoten en son and FC De Kampioenen. And yes, Bieke – alias An – also started writing screenplays for ‘De Kampioen’ at a certain point. Not always successful. Our pants fell off when we saw Boma struggling with French in the first feature film – set in France. For endless episodes, Boma speaks with a French accent, right? Or did we see that wrong?
Now well into 2022, An Swartenbroekx bought a house in Andalusia to live there for most of the year.
From the warm south, An lets us know on her Instagram that she has started a challenge. “Only 9 weeks before the new year. I challenged myself: post something every week that I never shared before,” she writes. “Photo 1: my first time in a bikini on social media.”
Wondering what photo 2 will be…
The Comedy Chronicles of An Swartenbroekx
“I challenged myself.”
Ah, the classic sitcom! It begins in a café, light banter, a dose of everyday absurdity, and a troupe of characters that makes you question the sanity of humanity—all the ingredients of FC De Kampioenen. The show debuted on October 6, 1990, and I bet at that moment, the VRT (then the BRT) had no clue they were about to gift us a comedy phenomenon that would surpass the test of time… and taste. Ending in 2011, or as I like to call it, the period when the jokes finally moved on to greener pastures, the series gave birth to tragic films and so many reruns, your grandma could probably recite the lines while knitting.
The Bieke Chronicles
Now, let’s talk about Bieke, played by the ever-charming An Swartenbroekx. A character so iconic, we almost believed she was the stand-in for every working woman who just wanted to get through the day without a flat tire or a surprise visit from the in-laws. An, being the daughter of René Swartenbroekx (I mean, how’s that for genetics?), has had a career that wanders the line between brilliance and baffling—for instance, her screenplay writing. Remember that scene where Boma struggles with French in the first feature film? If comedy is about timing, Boma’s accent had its own time zone. Honestly, I haven’t heard French butchered like that since the last time I tried to order a croissant in Paris!
A New Adventure: A Challenge in the Sun
Fast forward to 2022, and where do we find An? In sunny Andalusia, trading the chilly winters of Flanders for sun-soaked afternoons. Talk about a glow-up! From the windy Belgian café to now, she seems to be living proof that your best material comes after you chase the sun. It’s like she said, “Why not challenge myself?” And yes, I’m thrilled to hear about this challenge of hers: “Only 9 weeks before the new year. I challenged myself: post something every week that I never shared before.” The first spectacle? An Instagram reveal of her first bikini pic. Now there’s a plot twist I didn’t see coming! Will photo number two be everything we never knew we wanted? A Boma French accent tutorial? A sit-down with the cast about their most embarrassing moments? The suspense is palpable!
Final Thoughts
In a world where the internet is saturated with cookie-cutter content, it’s refreshing to see someone like An Swartenbroekx embracing the chaos of life while keeping it entertaining. Whether we look back at her days as Bieke, the coffee-serving, wisecracking heroine, or forward to her current escapades in the sun, it’s clear she knows how to challenge herself—and perhaps challenge our perceptions along the way.
So here’s to An! May her future posts be filled with the same wit and charm that made us laugh back in the day. And who knows? Perhaps we’ll see her in a feature film once again, this time with an actual understanding of French!
T making us laugh at the absurdities of life, that scene should have won an award for sheer hilarity! Today, we have An Swartenbroekx herself joining us from sunny Andalusia to discuss her journey from the café crew to her recent social media challenges.
Interview with An Swartenbroekx
Editor: An, thank you for joining us! Let’s start from the beginning. When FC De Kampioenen first aired in 1990, did you ever guess it would leave such a lasting impact on Flemish comedy?
An Swartenbroekx: Thank you for having me! Honestly, back then, we were just a bunch of actors trying to make people laugh. I don’t think anyone, including us, could’ve anticipated the cult status it would achieve. It was such a special project, and I feel lucky to have been a part of it.
Editor: Bieke is such an enduring character. What do you think resonated most with audiences?
An Swartenbroekx: Bieke was relatable. She embodied the struggles and quirks of everyday life. People saw a bit of themselves in her, whether it was handling chaos at work or dealing with family drama. Plus, she had a spirit that was hard to ignore.
Editor: You took on the challenge of writing scripts for the series. How did you find that experience, especially with some of the reactions around scenes like Boma’s French escapade?
An Swartenbroekx: (laughs) Oh, that scene was a wild ride! Writing scripts is a different beast from acting. It requires you to think about timing and humor in a unique way. That particular moment? Let’s just say it was a catalyst for some very light-hearted discussions. But as a writer, I always embraced the challenge—and sometimes, the more ridiculous, the better!
Editor: Shifting gears a bit—the challenge you recently set for yourself to share a photo every week that you’ve never posted before is intriguing. What inspired that?
An Swartenbroekx: With the new year approaching, I wanted to step outside my comfort zone. Living in Andalusia has given me time to reflect, and I thought, why not also share moments from my life that I’ve kept private? It’s been liberating and fun, and I can’t wait to see where it goes!
Editor: Your first post was you in a bikini—what was the thought process behind that?
An Swartenbroekx: (smiling) That was definitely a bold choice! I’ve always been body-positive, but sharing that side of me took a leap of faith. It reminded me of Bieke’s journey in some ways: showcasing confidence and embracing who you truly are, flaws and all.
Editor: Looking ahead, what do you hope to explore next, both in your personal journey and career?
An Swartenbroekx: I want to continue to embrace challenges, perhaps delve deeper into writing or even explore new creative avenues. Personally, I’m just enjoying life in this beautiful place, feeding my creativity in new ways. Who knows? Maybe another project will spark my interest soon!
Editor: Thank you, An! It’s been an absolute pleasure hearing your thoughts.
An Swartenbroekx: Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to chat—it’s always great to connect through our shared love of comedy and creativity!
Interview with An Swartenbroekx: From Comedy Queen to Social Media Challenger
Editor: An, thank you for joining us from beautiful Andalusia! Let’s dive into your iconic role in *FC De Kampioenen*. When the show first aired in 1990, did you ever anticipate the level of impact it would have on Flemish comedy?
An Swartenbroekx: Thank you for having me! To be honest, back in the day, we were just a group of actors trying to connect with the audience and make them laugh. I don’t think any of us could have predicted the cult status the show would achieve. It was such a unique project, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of it.
Editor: Bieke has remained an enduring character over the years. What do you think resonated the most with the audience?
An Swartenbroekx: Bieke was incredibly relatable. She reflected the daily struggles and quirks that many people face. Whether it was managing chaos at work or tackling family dramas, audiences could see themselves in her. Plus, her vibrant spirit was hard to ignore, which I think added to her charm.
Editor: You also dabbled in writing scripts for the series. What was that experience like, particularly regarding the mixed reactions to some scenes, like Boma’s infamous French accent?
An Swartenbroekx: (laughs) Oh, that was definitely a memorable moment! Writing scripts is a completely different challenge than acting. It demands a particular kind of creativity, especially when it comes to timing and humor. That specific scene sparked quite a few light-hearted discussions. But as a writer, I embraced every challenge—and sometimes, the more ridiculous, the better!
Editor: Fast forward to now, and you’ve embarked on a personal challenge via social media. Can you tell us more about what inspired you to start posting things you’ve never shared before?
An Swartenbroekx: Absolutely! I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone, especially after the quiet years during the pandemic. I thought, “Why not challenge myself to share pieces of my life that are a bit more personal?” So, I posted my first bikini pic on Instagram, which was quite a leap for me! It’s all about embracing vulnerability and authenticity, and I’m excited to see where this takes me.
Editor: The first photo was a great starting point! What can we expect next from your challenge, or do you have any hints about photo number two?
An Swartenbroekx: (smirking) I can’t give away too much yet, but I promise the next post will be just as surprising! It’s all part of the adventure, and I hope it brings a little joy and laughter to those who follow along.
Editor: An, it sounds like you’re embarking on another exciting journey! We can’t wait to see what you share next. Thank you so much for your time and insights.
An Swartenbroekx: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure chatting with you.