Happiness is a Four-
Letter Word surged past R10 million at the South African Box Office earlier
this week. The film, produced by Durban-based Junaid Ahmed, Bongiwe Selane and
Helena Spring and directed by Thabang Moleya now has a cumulative box office
total of over R10,100,000 after 32 days on the cinema circuit.
The movie debuted at #3 after its opening weekend and as it
enters week 6 continues to be the second best performing Ster Kinekor title and
holds an impressive fifth overall position at the South African Box Office Top
10. Happiness is a Four-Letter Word is
still drawing larger audiences than Hollywood and other international
Independent titles, including new releases.
“As Team Happiness
celebrates this milestone at the Box Office, we want to thank our audiences for
their incredible support. This indicates an exciting shift in the SA cinema
landscape and such support strengthens our resolve in making films that
resonate with our audiences”, say the producers.
Director Thabang Moleya says: “This is remarkable news to
hear. It's a dream for any filmmaker to make a movie but for the audience to
respond in this manner is an affirmation to the industry as a whole that cinema
in this country is alive”.
Based on Nozizwe Cynthia Jele’s award-winning novel of the
same name, Happiness is a Four-Letter
Word tells the story of three close friends - perfectionist lawyer Nandi,
glamorous housewife Zaza and trendy art gallery owner Princess, who all seem to
be living the new South African dream – but still searching for that elusive
happiness they so desperately desire in their lives.
This highly anticipated romance drama stars a stellar cast,
which includes Mmabatho Montsho, Khanyi Mbau and Renate Stuurman. Adding to
this exciting pool of talent are other South African greats, including Terence
Bridgett, Hlomla Dandala, Pabi Moloi and Emmanuel Castis. There is also a continental
connection in the cast which includes Ghanaian Chris Attoh and Zimbabwean
Tongayi Chirisa. The Voice SA judge,
superstar Lira, also makes a guest appearance and performs the theme song,
which she wrote specially for the movie.