An update on the latest results for French films in foreign markets.
Following an excellent opening in Italy (Notorious) late last month (registering 700,000 admissions after three weeks), the release of Beauty and the Beast was eagerly awaited in Spain this week (DeAPlaneta). Bolstered by an ambitious 242-print release, it has attracted 54,000 spectators in its opening week. While this score is clearly below target considering its wide release, it nonetheless allowed the film to take 4th place at the Spanish box office. Hopes are high for this film in Spain, where the director Christophe Gans's previous hit Brotherhood of the Wolf (Filmax) registered 660,000 admissions in 2001. In Belgium (Alternative), Beauty and the Beast has reached 72,000 admissions after five weeks, marking the 3rd best performance by a French film since the beginning of the year. Currently with a total of 850,000 registered in five international markets, Beauty and the Beast will soon cross the 1 million spectators threshold outside France, with its release in other markets scheduled for the end of the month, notably in Russia (West Video) and Turkey (Bir Film).
Me, Myself and Mum continues its international career, opening this week in Quebec (Les Films Séville). It enjoyed a promising debut, raking in 7,200 admissions from two prints, which is by far the highest attendance score per print this week in Quebec. These results will be closely observed in upcoming weeks as the number of prints is increased. This film, which recently won five of France's prestigious Cesar awards, posts a running total of 206,000 admissions abroad.
Also in Quebec, the second highest attendance figures per print were credited to another new French title, Quai d'Orsay (Axia Films), which drew 5,300 spectators from four prints. This film has already outscored the previous film by director Bertrand Tavernier, The Princess of Montpensier (Axia Films), which was released on the same number of prints and ended its run in Quebec with fewer than 4,500 admissions.
After a triumphant launch in French-speaking European markets early in the year, Yves Saint Laurent has now hit the screens in the United Kingdom (E1 Entertainment), where it attracted over 19,000 spectators in its opening week, with 55 prints in circulation. This is the most successful launch for a French film in the UK since the beginning of the year, and offers reassuring results in a market which is traditionally difficult for French films shot in French to make their mark. It may be recalled that the release of Coco Before Chanel (StudioCanal) in 2009 yielded 83,000 admissions from 91 prints at the start of its run and finished its UK leg with a total of 515,000 admissions. In Russia, Yves Saint Laurent registered 19,000 admissions from 143 prints in its opening weekend, easing into the week's local Top 20. Soon to be released in Italy (Lucky Red) and Denmark (Svensk Filmindustri AB), the film by Jalil Lespert is credited with 134,000 admissions to date in international theaters.
Quentin Deleau
