'iNumber Number' holds strong with audiences, critics

South African thriller ‘iNumber Number' has earned 23% more at the box office in weekend four than it did in weekend three.

Also, it has improved its ranking on the film industry's top 20 by four positions – from number 16 to number 12.

"This is excellent news for the film as it means word of mouth is keeping the audiences coming," says Helen Kuun, CEO of Indigenous Film Distribution, which is distributing the film in South Africa.

"The opening weekend audiences loved it, and it's obviously continuing to attract attention. This speaks to the quality of the film and the outstanding performances of the actors. It's a film that has won praise, awards and a US distribution deal."

The film screened in Cannes this week and will continue its worldwide rollout over the coming months.

It is still playing on circuit in South Africa in the coming weeks.

To promote iNumber Number, S'dumo Mtshali, who stars in the role of an honest undercover cop, has been greeting fans at various cinema sites in the last two weeks. As one of South Africa's favourite young talents, he's been received very enthusiastically by the fans.

Reviewing the film in the City Press, Siyabonga Sithole said, "This may be my favourite South African film of all time. It outshines ‘Tsotsi' because it's more authentic and the language it uses is more real."

Film critic Leon van Nierop called it "South Africa's version of Reservoir Dogs.' The movie review site Spl!ng concurred: "Strong co-lead performances, a solid ensemble, suspenseful gangster drama, intense riveting action, street smarts and a refreshing South African take on Reservoir Dogs, make for compelling viewing in iNumber Number.

Donovan Marsh has created a gritty and entertaining gangster film that tips the hat to its influences while adding a refreshing South African spin on a well-worn genre.

iNumber Number is about a pair of cops battling corrupt colleagues as well as a gang of armoured-car thieves.

Chili (S'dumo Mtshali, winner of ‘Class Act' in 2010), and Shoes (Presley Chweneyagae of Tsotsi and State of Violence fame) have been partners in the police force for eight years.

After they make a risky arrest, their corrupt superior refuses to give them the reward they are due. Enraged, Chili realises that honesty does not pay and sets about infiltrating a gang of armoured car thieves. The film boasts an oddball cast that brings comic relief to the ruthless thuggery.

iNumber Number is South African director Donovan Marsh's fourth film. An award-winning director, writer and editor, Marsh has worked in the local film industry since 1992. He wrote and directed the feature films Dollars and White Pipes, Spud and Spud 2: The Madness Continues.

The film had its world premiere at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival in September 2013. It was produced by Marsh, Quizzical Pictures' Harriet Gavshon, JP Potgieter and Mariki van der Walt.