Transporter 3 hits theaters today in China on 1,100 screens, matching the release offered to large-scale American films.
The film was distributed according to the established receipt-sharing scheme by Domo Media, in collaboration with both State-run distribution companies, China Film Corporation, and Huaxia. Distributors are estimating box office takings of 2 million admissions.
In 2008, three French films hit Chinese movie screens. Domo released Taken on April 11, while ERG/Dequan released Astérix aux jeux olympiques (Asterix at the Olympic Games) in September, and Babylon A.D. was released in November. These three films were also released on a receipt-sharing arrangement, with Taken distributed in collaboration with China Film, Asterix distributed in collaboration with Huaxia, and Babylon A.D. distributed with both operators.
Taken registered 500,000 admissions, Babylon A.D. tallied 340,000 admissions, and Asterix 170,000 admissions.
This year, La Doublure (The Valet) by Francis Veber hit the screens on February 6, with 73 prints released. The film has already attracted over 50,000 spectators.
Les Deux mondes by Daniel Cohen is slated for national release (500 prints) on March 5, 2009.