Majority French productions take the lead!
The month of October confirms a new trend for French films abroad that was already set in motion in August and September, 2004, with majority French productions once again leading our charts.
Whereas during the first six months of 2004, minority French productions such as "The Barbarian Invasions" and "Dogville" were running neck and neck with, or even outshining, majority French productions, now it is the majority productions that boast the top results at the international box office.
The top three French films in October were thus "Chorists" by Christophe Barratier, "Two Brothers" by Jean-Jacques Annaud and "Like an Image" ("Look at Me") by Agnès Jaoui. In Germany, "Chorists" continues its profitable run, registering €3.6 million and 600,000 spectators since its release by Constantin Film on September 2. The film by Christophe Barratier was still going strong with more than 150 prints in circulation at the end of October. It was also released in Quebec on October 8, on 48 prints by Alliance Atlantis Vivafilm, riding high with close to €700 000 and around 186,000 admissions to its credit at the end of October. This represents a fine weekly average of 1,291 spectators per print. "Chorists" hit 2nd place at the Quebec box office in its opening week. In Italy, the film's opening week results are also promising, taking €250,000 for around 40,000 spectators, released on 58 prints.
The third film in our charts, "Like an Image" by Agnès Jaoui has just been released in three territories, and initial results are good. It hit the screens in Belgium on September 22, released by Alternative Films on 17 prints, and by the end of October had raked in a highly respectable €417 000, for around 76,300 spectators. Likewise in Switzerland, where it was released September 15 by Frenetic films on 9 prints, taking €350 000 and attracting 39,000 spectators by the beginning of November. And finally, the film has just been released in Italy (October 29) on 31 prints, and had already registered €230,000 in its opening week. It has got off to a fine start, boasting an average of 1,232 spectators per print, leading us to predict a successful career for this film in Italy.
Spotlight on:
"Crimson Rivers 2" in Poland
After the success of "RRRrrr!!!," it is now over to "Crimson Rivers 2: Angles of the Apocalypse" to break into the top 10 in Poland. The film by Olivier Dahan was released October 8 on 40 prints by SPI international. By October 28, it had pulled in 92,000 spectators and amassed €350,000 at the box office: an excellent debut for a French film in this territory.
"A Very Long Engagement" in Belgium and Switzerland"
The film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet has launched into its international career. It was released October 27 in French-speaking Switzerland and Belgium, distributed by Warner in both territories. As expected, initial results are in line with those in French-speaking countries. By October 31, the film had attracted some 48,000 spectators in Belgium, with 42 prints in circulation, and had taken €260,000. In Switzerland, the film tallied 18,800 spectators on 20 prints at the same date.
Julien Gaulier - Economic Data Manager
