Leon Schuster, South Africa's highest grossing local star, has signed a deal with leading South African distributor/exhibitor Ster-Kinekor for his latest outing Oh, Shucks, I'm Gatvol.

The exclusive theatrical/non-theatrical and broadcast deal marks a return for Schuster to Ster-Kinekor, the local distributor who was responsible for a number of his previous hits.

Schuster's 2001 blockbuster, Mr. Bones, the most successful local film of all time at the SA box office grossing over R32 million, was entirely bankrolled by Anant Singh's Videovision who distributed the film through UIP.

Mr. Bones was released on 400 prints in Germany through Constantin and also saw international theatrical life with its UIP Planeta release of 175 prints in Spain.

Oh Shucks I'm Gatvol - Gatvol is slang for fed-up - is being funded by private investors and will be represented throughout its lifecycle, from theatrical to video and TV, by Ster-Kinekor, and is expected to break some records, particularly in the lucrative video/DVD market.

Ferdi Gazendam, CEO of Ster-Kinekor said, "We're very excited about handling the distribution of this film. It also gives us an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to developing the local film industry."

The film focuses on a group of South Africans who become fed up and decide to emigrate. Much of the film takes place in an aircraft on the way to Australia and it will incorporate Schuster's trademark candid-camera stunts.

The film, which is Schuster's ninth collaboration with producer/director Andre Scholtz, is currently in production and scheduled for a South African release in April 2004.