International growth is on everyone’s mind as journalists, distributors and acquisition executives from key regions gather at Unifrance’s Rendez-Vous in Paris from 10-17 January. Note that 2022 will be the first year if Gallic exports do not reach their pre-pandemic highs.
At home and abroad, franchises and comfortable fares have fueled theatrical returns. The comedy “Serial (Bad) Weddings 3” attracted 2.4 million people domestically and was the top box office in France, with a further 1.3 million ticket sales in neighboring countries. Studiocanal family title “Wolves and Lions” opened in over 50 territories.
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In the U.S., arthouse heavyweights Kino Lorber, Cohen Media Group and Sony Pictures Classics have pulled gems from the festival, with Kino Lorber directing Pietro Marcello’s Director’s Fortnite opening “Scarlett,” Sony Pictures Classics released Mia Hansen to critical acclaim at Cannes. – Love directed ‘One Fine Morning’ in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Super, a boutique label run by hip distributor Neon, picked up French international Oscar submission “Saint Omer” shortly after the film won the Silver Lion in Venice, and on January 13, We plan to release a title directed by Alice Diop. Center of Oscar nomination voting.
“The ongoing evolution of the market requires constant monitoring.
“French family films are widely recognized around the world and continue to perform relatively well. Orange Studios hopes to attract at least one leading theater person each year. , we are happy to get more films, but such films need a lot of support, especially when it comes to international distribution.
Calling such fares “part of Orange Studios’ DNA,” the sales executive believes that crowd-pleasing comedy can leave quite a mark on the world. “Internationally, there is always a desire for high-concept,” continues Boucon. “And this remains a genre that can launch a franchise.”
Orange Studios will launch the family adventure “A Cat’s Life” at this year’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous, joining many Gallic outfits using their annual showcase for more commercial prowess.
“[The Rendez-Vous] We will not compete with Berlin, Cannes or Venice. That’s not our goal,” says UniFrance Managing Her Director Daniela Elstner. “We’re a marketplace and we don’t necessarily go to these festivals, but we do have films that are well received in theaters and sell very well.”
Still, Rendez-Vous is in its 25th year and stands to welcome more delegations than the previous two editions, making this year’s showcase even more important for the industry. The event was the world premiere of François Ozon’s “The Crime Is Mine”.
“Over the past few years we have been asked to launch large-scale premieres,” says Elstner. “We welcome buyers from all over the world. We want them to know the potential of French cinema, finish the screening, and share it with the artists they have at hand.”
Led by rising stars Rebecca Marder and Nadia Tereszkiewicz, and backed by supporting characters Isabelle Huppert and Danny Boone, The Crime is set in 1930s Paris, involving a film producer and a murderer, and Ozone’s “eight men.” It evokes the frenzied exhilaration of a woman. and “Potische”. ‘The Crime Is Mine’ scored her over two million attendance record in France and the international success of last year’s opening film ‘Simone: A Woman of the Century’ which was sold to her Samuel Goldwyn Films in the United States. It could well beat the record.
“We want to showcase films that connect and connect,” says Elstner. “François Ozon’s films are known for their success and box office performance, which fits our mission. must satisfy the buyer.”
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