by Thinus Ferreira
A 4K remastered version of the now classic Christmas film Love Actually will be back in South African cinemas from 15 December, telling the story of various love, and love-on-the-rocks, relationships.
Studiocanal and Universal Pictures are releasing The Working Title-produced film from 2003 for its 20th anniversary, that has an all-star cast including Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson and Keira Knightley.
It also features Laura Linney, Martin Freeman, Andrew Lincoln, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Rodrigo Santoro, Rowan Atkinson, Billy Bob Thornton and the late Alan Rickman.
Richard Curtis, who had written the screenplays for The Tall Guy, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones’ Diary, made his director's debut with Love Actually, in which he chose to construct a nine-arc plot lightly centred around the lead up to Christmas in London.
The film follows these relationships in various loosely interrelated tales as they navigate their ups and downs and, for some couples, those happily-ever-after moments.
In a new 4K restoration, the film is screening at cinemas from 15 December across South Africa.
"I'm really excited about this new version of the film; it's never looked or sounded better," says Richard Curtis in a statement.
"Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, co-chairmen of Working Title, say "We hope this new remastered version of the film will continue to bring many people together in joy and love this holiday season."
At Sterk-Kinekor tickets for Love Actually will cost R50 where the restored film will run for a week from 15 December.