Vir Altyd’s opening weekend shatters box office records

This officially puts it in the top spot for best earnings by an Afrikaans movie in its first weekend. The film opened on Friday, 12 February at cinemas around the country.

Vir Altyd tells the story of Hugo (Ivan Botha) and Nina (Donnalee Roberts) who grow up as best friends, but lose contact because of a tragic accident that changes both their lives forever.

After 10 years, Hugo and Nina see each other again on the eve of her wedding to Retief (Stiaan Smith). But, when her fairy tale comes to a sudden end, they go to Mauritius where she is a reluctant ‘bride’ and Hugo a ‘bridegroom’ who is confronted with painful memories and strong feelings for Nina.

On the island they realise, after they go on several adventures and meet other couples on the ‘road of love’, that it’s not about the happy ending, but about the journey on the way there instead.

After this brilliant opening weekend, Botha and Roberts, writers, co-producers and lead actors of the film, say: “We are eternally grateful for everyone’s support and wonderful positive feedback. As filmmakers there is no greater honour for us than having so many people share our story and that our characters make them laugh and cry. Vir Altyd is a dream on which we’ve been working tirelessly for the past two years and it is a privilege to share this adventure with you.”

Danie Bester, co-producer of the film, says about the box office success and the entire Vir Altyd experience: “The biggest compliment and also honour for a filmmaker is when an audience comes to watch your work, identifies with the story and you have the privilege to work with people who inspire you. That is fantastic.”

Elize Cawood, Wilson Dunster, Ilse Roos, Dirk Stoltz, Laré Birk, Deidre Wolhuter, Andre Jacobs, André Stolz, Sans Moonsamy, Nicky de Kock, Caylem Else and Hèléne Truter can also be seen in the movie.

The film was released on Friday, 12 February by Ster-Kinekor, Nu Metro and independent theatres and distributed through Ster-Kinekor Entertainment.

Vir Altyd was produced by 17FilmStreetMedia and The Film Factory.

Click here to watch the official trailer.

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