International box office report: French cinema shines in Italy

10 SEPTEMBER 2013

Spotlight on Italy, where French films have already attracted 2 million spectators since the start of 2013.

French films' performance in the Italian theatrical market, which stands out notably for its fondness for auteur cinema, has resisted the adverse economic environment that prevails in southern Europe. This is evident firstly in the high number of films released in Italy once again this year, with 33 titles already gracing the screens in the first eight months of the year, compared to the annual average for the period 2000-2012 of 39 titles released. Secondly, despite the number of screens being cut back by 600 in the past two years, French films have consistently succeeded in bringing in audiences. Five French titles have registered over 100,000 admissions so far in 2013, including In the House (Bim – 131,000 admissions) and The Other Son (Teodora – 106,000 admissions). Each year, a number of French auteur films achieve their best international scores in Italy. This is the case this year for The Patience Stone (Parthenos – 63,000 admissions), Under the Rainbow (Lucky Red – 57,000), and Something in the Air (Officine – 33,000).

In other markets, Young & Beautiful registered a somewhat lackluster debut in Russia (Paradise/MGN), with 44,000 spectators coming out in four days, despite an ambitious release of 263 prints. This wide release should nonetheless allow director François Ozon to achieve one of his best scores in this market. Of the eleven films directed Ozon released in Russia since 2000, 8 Women (Intercinema – 110,000 admissions), Angel (Paradise/MGN – 96,000), and Swimming pool (Intercinema - 64,000) were all well-received, while other titles did not manage to top 35,000 admissions, including Dans la maison (Paradise/MGN – 30,000 admissions, released on 155 prints in 2012). Also released in Belgium (Cinéart), Young & Beautiful pulled in 13,000 admissions from 26 prints in its opening week. This is a slightly less successful opening than that of In the House (ABC Distribution) last year, which totaled close to 17,000 spectators from 25 copies in its opening week (with 58,000 at the end of its run). In past years, two films by Ozon have attracted more than 100,000 Belgian spectators: 8 Women (ABC Distribution – 143,000 admissions) and Potiche (Cinéart – 107,000 admissions).

And finally, The Gilded Cage is holding firm at the top of the box office in Portugal (Lusomundo), after four weeks on the screens. This film registered an additional 96,000 admissions in its fourth week, dropping back by only 7%. With a running total of 398,000 admissions, it looks set to outscore the most successful French film ever monitored by uniFrance Films in Portugal, Asterix and Obelix versus Cesar, which clocked up 520,000 admissions in 1999. Released in Germany (Prokino) on 62 prints, La Cage dorée has had a respectable opening, with 22,000 spectators registered in 4 days. Still on the screens in Quebec (A-Z Films), it currently tallies 11,000 admissions after four weeks. The Gilded Cage has now crossed the half-million admissions mark in international theaters (505,000 admissions to date).