“SPUD” DOMINATES LOCAL BOX-OFFICE

Spud dominated the local box-office this past weekend when it soared to the number one slot earning close to R2.9 million in the first three days. This has made it the highest grossing opening weekend ever for a South African film outside of four Schuster titles. It is also the second highest opening weekend for a local title in 2010, just behind the record-breaking Schucks Tshabalala's Guide To S.A.

“We are so excited by the enthusiasm shown by South African audiences. It is truly proof of the coming-of-age appeal of John van de Ruit’s books as well as the talents and efforts of both the filmmakers and cast who worked on this project,” says producer Ross Garland. “Our box office opening is better than we could have hoped or imagined. It’s exciting to see South Africans coming to the cinemas in these numbers, and gratifying for the whole team to hear about audiences around the country applauding at the end of the movie.”

Debbie McCrum, General Manager of Nu Metro Films adds, “This is a great success for a local film and we hope that it signals the start of a successful local franchise. Based on the public’s response to the film, we anticipate its success to carry on throughout the holidays and hopefully beyond.”

"I am absolutely thrilled to hear the news of Spud’s success at the box office this weekend,” commented John van de Ruit. “I salute all the South African Spud fans who have voted with their feet and poured into the cinemas, and to those that laboured for so long to make this film what it is. May the madness continue!"

Spud takes place in South Africa during the early 1990s and chronicles John “Spud” Milton’s first year at an elite, boys-only private school. Cursed with parents from well beyond the lunatic fringe, a senile granny, and a dormitory full of strange characters, Spud has to forge a new life for himself in this foreign and sometimes hostile environment. Surrounded by names such as Gecko, Rambo, Rain Man and Mad Dog, Spud takes his first tentative steps along the path towards manhood. Armed with only his wits and his diary, Spud takes us from illegal night swimming to the cricket field, from ghost busting to teacher baiting. He also invites us into the mind of a boy struggling to come to terms with a strange new world; a boy whose eyes are being opened to love, friendship and complete insanity.

Production of the film version got underway at Michaelhouse in the KZN Midlands early this year and features some of South Africa’s talent including Troye Sivan as Spud, model and actress Tanit Phoenix as Eve, stage and screen star Jason Cope as the vindictive housemaster Sparerib and veteran British star John Cleese as The Guv.

Spud is produced by Roguestar Films and BLM Productions and was released in cinemas across South Africa by Nu Metro Films on December 3, 2010. More information on http://www.spudthemovie.com/