After attracting over 7 million spectators in France, the debut film by Christophe Barratier continues its world tour, now setting out to win the hearts of Chinese audiences!

Selected to represent France at the 2005 Academy Awards, the film has been sold in 40 territories and has just been released on commercial screens in China.

On Friday October 14, the French Minister of Culture and Communications, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, kicked off the cinematic component of the Year of France in China, presiding over the preview screening of “Chorists” in Shanghai.

Christophe Barratier and Gérard Jugnot from “Chorists” also put in an appearance on stage alongside Mr. Donnedieu de Vabres. The following day, the film’s director and lead actor met with leading journalists in Shanghai.

Michelle Lee, distributor of “Chorists” in China, was awarded the prestigious “Chevalier des Arts et Lettres” medal, bestowed by the French Culture Minister.
“Chorists” is one of several French films to have been released in China this year, including “The Travelling Birds,” “Fanfan la Tulipe,” “Michel Vaillant,” “Two Brothers” and the upcoming launch of “Crimson Rivers 2 : Angels of the Apocalypse” on 250 prints.

The opening ceremonies for The Year of France in China were also the occasion of the signing of a Franco-Chinese film cooperation agreement.
Unifrance and the French Embassy are already busy preparing the 2nd Panorama of French Cinema in China, scheduled for early April next year in several Chinese cities.