22/02/2011

Back from the Berlinale, Nicolas Brigaud-Robert, who heads French international seller Films Distribution, gave Cineuropa his analysis of the economic situation on film markets: "Things have picked up in terms of volume, but not price. Unfortunately, the market has developed a downward structure. But it’s a real pleasure to see that arthouse distributors are back doing their job, which is to follow and support auteurs. We found some open-minded people to liaise with again."

The performance of Céline Sciamma’s Panorama-opener Tomboy [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Céline Sciamma
film profile] (see news – to be released in France on April 20 by Pyramide Distribution) bolsters this optimistic mood. The title was bought for Italy, Scandinavia and Switzerland, while advanced negotiations are underway for Quebec, and especially the United States.

"This last sale, which is almost finalised, is remarkable for a small film like that in the current market," insisted Brigaud-Robert. "But it’s no surprise because the film was eagerly-awaited by buyers who discovered Céline Sciamma at Cannes in 2007 with her debut feature Water Lilies [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]. And after Live and Become [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Denis Carot
interview: Didar Domehri
interview: Radu Mihaileanu
film profile], Lady Chatterley [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] and Welcome [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
interview: Philippe Lioret
film profile], the Berlinale’s Panorama section continues to bring us luck."

Among the other titles sold by Films Distribution at Berlin, the following also did particularly well: Jean-Loup Feliciolli and Alain Gagnol’s animated film A Cat in Paris [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (see news), which was acquired for the United States, among other countries; and Maurice Barthélémy’s comedy Low Cost, which was bought for Germany and whose US remake rights are under negotiation.

Finally, on the pre-sales side, in a line-up packed with titles in post-production (see news), Mia Hansen-Love’s Goodbye First Love (see news) obtained the best results.

(Translated from French)