WATCH: From 'Semi-Soet' to 'Semi-Soeter': get ready for the sequel to SA's beloved romcom
Anel Alexander and Nico Panagio fairy tale faces new trials as work pressures mount and personal dreams clash, forcing them to rethink what forever really means.
Image: Supplied.
Who would've thought that the same year we were all bracing for the world to end in 2012, South African romcom fans were falling head over heels for "Semi-Soet" ?
Directed by Joshua Rous and packed with charm, the Afrikaans-language favourite starred Anel Alexander and Nico Panagio and it quickly carved out a soft spot in the hearts of local audiences.
The plot followed career-driven Jaci van Jaarsveld (played by James Alexander), an advertising exec desperate to save her boutique firm, Mojo, from being swallowed up by ruthless corporate shark JP Basson aka 'The Jackal,' brought to life with effortless swagger by Panagio.
When a big deal with a family-run wine estate hinges on her appearing in a wholesome relationship, Jaci ropes in a fake fiancé. The shocker? That charming faker turns out to be none other than Basson himself.
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Cue the chaos. Sparks fly, secrets unravel and viewers were treated to a feel-good story that balanced humour, romance and a touch of local flavour, all against a backdrop of the gorgeous Cape Winelands.
According to Anel, who also produced the film, the team wanted to raise the bar.
'We wanted to create something that would set a new standard for Afrikaans romantic comedies - something more polished, more heartfelt,' she told "Rant and Rave Reviews" in 2012.
Her husband and co-producer, James Alexander, also added: 'We didn't want slapstick. We wanted something smart, something that could stand next to international rom-coms and hold its own.'
Clearly, the effort paid off. The film scored a SAFTA nomination for Best Actor (Panagio) in 2013, and years later, Netflix added "Semi-Soet" to its global catalogue in 2022 giving international audiences a taste of our local magic.
Its warm, relatable characters and proudly South African flair made it an instant hit with a whole new audience.
Now, over a decade later, the team is back for round two with the aptly named sequel "Semi-Soeter" a title that translates loosely to 'even sweeter,' though judging by the trailer, it's not all smooth sailing.
Scheduled to premiere on June 20, the new film explores the tangled world of big deals, messy friendships and matters of the heart.
Fan favourite Diaan Lawrenson returns as the loveably scatterbrained Chadrie,and she's not coming alone.
Louw Venter and Sandra Vaughn are back as her loyal business partners, offering laughs and life advice in equal measure.
And if you thought things couldn't get juicier, screen veteran Hélène Truter joins the cast as Marietjie, the brutally honest matriarch whose revelations threaten to shake things up even more.
The first film was praised for its sharp dialogue and beautiful setting not to mention the electric chemistry between Alexander and Panagio.
Watch trailer for "Semi-Soeter" below.
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