Filmmaker Thabang Moleya talks about the success of his debut film Happiness is a Four-letter Word and the joys of filming in Jo’burg to by .
First-time film director Thabang Moleya can pat himself on the back for helming a hit movie on debut: the romantic drama Happiness is a Four-Letter Word, which raked in more than R2.3?million at the South African box office during its opening weekend in February.
The film is based on the 2010 novel of the same name by Nozizwe Cynthia Jele, which received the 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for best first book (African region) and the 2011 M-Net Literary Award in the film category – given to novels that have the potential to be adapted into movies.
Set in the affluent suburbs of Jo’burg, Happiness is a Four-Letter Word follows the lives of three friends – successful lawyer Nandi (Mmabatho Montsho), glamorous housewife Zaza (Khanyi Mbau) and arty gallery owner Princess (Renate Stuurman) – who seek fulfilment in their imperfect love lives.
Their solid friendship helps each of them navigate disappointments and heartbreak, allowing them to be the hilarious, sometimes stoic, voices of reason for one another.
For a story that was well received in print, Moleya – who has an impressive track record in directing television drama series and commercials – had the huge task of translating it into a relatable movie for romcom lovers.
What drew you, as a director, to this story?
I was approached by one of the producers of the film, Bongiwe Selane, four years ago, who said: “I want to make this movie. Read this book and tell me what you think.” She loved the book and was interested in turning it into a movie. That’s how I got attached to the team. I’ve also got two producers on the team who worked collectively with Bongiwe and myself to develop it into the script and then the main writer, Busisiwe Ntintili, came on board to create the draft that we ended up shooting.
For the full Q+A by Katlego Mkhwanazi with Thabang Moleya see Mail & Guardian
PHOTO CREDIT:
Success at the first attempt: “Happiness is a Four-Letter Word” director Thabang Moleya. (Delwyn Verasamy)
