‘Happiness Is A Four-letter Word’ on BoxOffice

The locally made film, which has grossed over R13 million to date, will be available for DStv PVR and Explora customers to rent on BoxOfffice from Monday, July 11.

The film showcases some of the most talented names in the entertainment industry in South Africa and abroad. It follows the lives of three women living out their dreams. Mmabatho Montsho plays Nandi, a lawyer and compulsive perfectionist; Khanyi Mbau plays Zaza, a go-getter who lives the high life as a trophy wife; and Renate Stuurman plays the role of Princess, a trend-setting art gallery owner.

While all three support each other and have everything they could ask for, they learn that happiness runs deeper than just the accumulation of material possessions.

The movie has a strong male presence, with Jacob’s Cross star, Hlomla Dandala, alongside four male leads. Internationally acclaimed Zimbabwean actor Tongayi Chirisa plays Thomas, fiancé to Nandi, while talented Ghanain Tinsel star Chris Attoh portrays his namesake Chris, who would like to turn back the clock. Simo Magwaza is Bheki, Zaza’s inattentive husband, and Richard Lukunku, best known for his role as Pascal in Inkaba, is Princess’s new “mysterious” lover.

Part of the film’s popularity with audiences is thanks to the expert cinematography by internationally recognized award-winning filmmaker Lance Gewer. Gewer has 28 years’ experience in the film industry and his skills have been used to film acclaimed movies such as the Oscar-winning film, Tsotsi.

Happiness Is A Four-letter Word is directed by Thabang Moleya, who has an extensive show reel in the drama genre, having directed Jozi H, an international medical drama series which was aired in South Africa and Canada. He later moved to directing popular local drama series such as Jacob’s Cross, The LAB, Zone 14 and Sokhulu and Partners.

Author Cynthia Nozizwe Jele won the M-Net Literary Award in 2011 for the novel most worthy of being adapted into a screenplay. During the film-making process, Jele kept a strong hand on the adaptation of the movie, and has been integral in the film production. “The movie features strong female leads, an exciting development in the local film industry. It is hilarious, sometimes sad, a true reflection of life, but the ‘girls’ never give up on trying to find happiness,” concludes Jele.

Other local movies available on DStv’s BoxOffice are Verskietende Ster, Mignon “Mossie” Van Wyk, and Box-office hits Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, and The Divergent Series: Allegiant.