Four of the French productions released on North American screens since January 1st have already topped $1 million at the box office. Despite some disappointing launches, results in this territory currently show an upward trend.
France’s Academy Award candidate, Fauteuils d’orchestre (Orchestra Seats, aka Avenue Montaigne) by Danièle Thompson, enjoyed a successful launch mid-February with $30,000 registered in ticket sales in 2 theaters. The film looks set to cross the $2 million mark since its release has been extended to 52 locations.
La Tourneuse de pages (The Page Turner) by Denis Dercourt, released late March by Tartan, made a fine debut, grossing $19,000 on its opening weekend in 2 theaters, and now boasting a running total of $200,000 (15 theaters).
The Valet by Francis Veber was released in April by Sony Classics, with opening earnings of $67,000 in 6 theaters. The film has just topped $1.5 million, and is currently showing in 82 theaters.
Since the month of May, the collective film Paris je t’aime appears to have won the hearts of American moviegoers in search of love… for the French capital. After its opening weekend takings of $40,000 in 2 theaters, the film’s release has been extended to 126 screens and currently registers $2 million.
Two films hit US screens last weekend: Angel A by Luc Besson, which pulled in $30,000 in 6 theaters, and Golden Door by Emmanuel Crialese, which posted $28,000 in 2 theaters on its opening weekend.
La Vie en Rose by Olivier Dahan has just been released, with its American distributor Picturehouse hoping it will live up to high expectations after successful preview screenings in New York and Los Angeles. The film registered $172,000 in 8 theaters on its opening weekend. Combined with preview results, the film has already crossed the $2 million mark.
