THE US box office hit Barbershop has proved a favourite among local moviegoers.

The film, which was released by MGM on September 13 and has already grossed $60 million in four weeks at North American theatres, was held over at the Little Theatre for three weeks by popular demand and is currently playing at Southside Cinema.

Barbershop producer Robert Teitel, who is married to Bermudian film-maker Alison Swan, said he never expected the film to generate so much business.

"When we set out to make this film, our goal was to make a great film - a heart-warming comedy with three-dimensional characters. And we knew that we had accomplished that," said Mr. Teitel.

"But we never imagined the film would do this kind of business."

Co-produced by his production company partner George Tillman, Jr., Mr. Teitel said they wanted to make a film that crossed over the confines of an African-American audience.

While the film's cast is predominantly African-American, it's a film for everyone, he said.

Set in Chicago's South Side, Barbershop is a comedy about the day in the life of a neighbourhood barbershop. Calvin - played by Ice Cube - is the frustrated owner of a barbershop that he has inherited from his deceased father. But after selling the business to a local loan shark, Calvin comes to realise its importance in maintaining his father's legacy.

Filled with an eclectic cast of characters who share their stories, jokes, trials and tribulations, the film got a "Two Thumbs Up" from Ebert & Roeper. And Jeffrey Lyons of WNBC-TV said the film was "an inspiring life-affirming comedy".

A graduate of Columbia College in Chicago, Mr. Teitel received critical acclaim for his work on the film Soul Food, which was released in 1997. Directed by George Tillman, Jr, the movie featured an ensemble cast including Vivica A. Fox, Vanessa Williams, Brandon Hammond, Nia Long and Mekhi Phifer.

Mr. Teitel later produced the popular military drama Men of Honor, which chronicles the inspirational life of Carl Brashear - the US Navy's first African-American Master deep-sea diver. Starring Robert De Niro, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Charlize Theron, the film finished with worldwide box office receipts of $85 million.

The thirty-four-year-old said he sets out to make positive films with characters that appeal to a wide audience.

"In Men of Honor, for example, everyone can relate to or at least by inspired by Carl's story - with his triumph of spirit and his need to succeed. And in Barbershop, Calvin figures out what is really important in life . . . and again, this is something we can all relate to," said Mr. Teitel.

The cast and crew of Barbershop spent almost two months in Chicago last winter filming the movie. "We all had such a great time making the film. It was a blast," said the producer.

"We used the same crew for this movie as we did for Soul Food, which was also shot in Chicago. George and I try to shoot all of our films in Chicago using the same crew - even if it doesn't make sense," he said. "We went to college with them so we have such a great and loyal crew there."

The niche film has been so successful that MGM has already made plans for a sequel to Barbershop. And although details have not yet been worked out, the same cast and crew will work on the film in Chicago, said Mr. Teitel, whose goal is ultimately to make the film into a television show.

No doubt, the film's characters' witty banter and off-colour humour will set the stage for a successful sitcom.

"But the question remains - do we do the sequel first or the TV show? It's all about timing," said Mr. Teitel. "And now that expectations are high, we are going to want to work even harder to put something together."

A Chicago native, the talented producer lives in Los Angeles, California with Ms Swan and visits Bermuda regularly.

Asked about this plans to return to the island, he said: "Hopefully, we'll come back again real soon. I love Bermuda. What's not to like? The people are great and it's always a good time. In fact, I hope to one day shoot a movie in Bermuda."

Barbershop, which is rated PG-13, is now playing at Southside Cinema. For information, call 297-2821.

See also Alvin Williams' Commentary on page 7