Happiness is a Four-letter Word is a 2016 South African romantic drama film directed by Thabang Moleya and written by Busisiwe Ntintili. Based on the novel of the same name by Nozizwe Cynthia Jele,[3] the film tells the story of three friends trying to find their happiness while maintaining images of success and acceptability.
| Happiness Is A Four-Letter Word | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Thabang Moleya |
| Written by | Busisiwe Ntintili |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Lance Gewer |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Mpumi Phillips |
Release date |
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Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | South Africa |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $728,208[2] |
The film revolves around three women. Glamorous trophy housewife Zaza, played by Khanyi Mbau, seems to be living the new South African dream of money, success, and loving partners. Lawyer and compulsive perfectionist Nandi, played by Mmabatho Montsho, whose life from the outside is perfect, has a great career and forthcoming nuptials, but in reality, she is suffocating. Trendy art gallery owner and serial dater Princess is played by Renate Stuurman. The three friends juggle life's surprising changes as they come to learn that "happiness doesn't come with a manual". The three will have to find out what truly makes each of them happy and then fight to get it in their unique way.
A sequel is currently under development, set to premiere on Netflix later this year.[4]
Perfectionist Nandi seems to have the new South African dream life within her grasp: being a partner in a major firm, a marriage and the perfect house - but it all goes up in flames a few months before the wedding. With her friends Zaza and Princess, Nandi will have to find out what truly makes her happy and then fight to get it.
Happiness is a Four-Letter Word pulled in 45,000 attendees and gross box office receipts of R2 371,782 in its opening three days. It was the best performing film of all new releases, in South Africa, on the weekend of 19 February, and did better than international releases such as 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, Hail Caesar!, Fifty Shades of Black and Trumbo. It was ranked at number 3 on the Top 10 after Deadpool and Vir Altyd. Mario Dos Santos, CEO of Ster-Kinekor Entertainment, said: "The opening weekend's results for the film are simply overwhelming not only from local content perspective but also in comparison to Hollywood content."[5]
In March 2021, Netflix announced that it had greenlit a sequel to the film, titled Happiness Ever After, with Mbau and Moleya returning and Ayanda Halimana penning the script.[6] It was released on Netflix in November 2021.[7]
