Both breaking the 100,000 admissions barrier, "The Light" and "Mariscos Beach" show encouraging signs for a bountiful summer season for French productions in Germany.
Within a general context of more than sluggish national movie attendance figures (down 17% during the first six months of the year), French films have nonetheless succeeded in making their mark on the German market in this summer season.
Released June 16 by Arsenal, "The Light" has achieved a fine performance over time. The film by Philippe Lioret, starring Sandrine Bonnaire and Philippe Torreton, has just crossed the 100,000 admissions mark (tallying €620,000 in receipts). After two months on the screens, "The Light," sold by StudioCanal, is still holding its ground in the overall Top 20 charts, with 39 prints in circulation, and only dropping back by 7% compared to the previous weekend.
Also at this time, "Mariscos Beach," released on 55 prints by Prokino July 21, is coming close to hitting 100,000 admissions. After three weeks in theaters, the film by Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau boasts 90,000 entrées (with €530,000 in the till), and ranks at 16th place in the overall charts. The film, sold by Bac International, which was given a warm welcomed by audiences at the Berlin International Film Festival in February, should finish its run with between 120,000 and 130,000 spectators to its credit.
Another film, "Boudu," directed by Gérard Jugnot and released by Concorde on 45 prints July 28, has registered 36,000 admissions (for €190,000) after two weeks on German screens.
"A Common Thread" by Eléonore Faucher, released by Delphi Filmverleih May 19, is also pursuing a successful career, with a running total of 70,000 admissions (for €400,000).
These results are more than encouraging at a time when numerous French films covering a range of genres to please all tastes are set to hit the screens: "Holy Lola" by Bertrand Tavernier (August 18, released by Prokino), "Me and My Sister" by Alexandra Leclère (August 25, Arsenal Filmverleih), "Empire of the Wolves" by Chris Nahon (August 25, Tobis Film), and "The Daltons" by Philippe Haïm (August 25, Falcom).
