23/12/2003

Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and, naturally, France : European films will attempt to stave off American blockbusters during the holiday season. Some of these include national box office hits like the British Calendar Girls and the Spanish Mi vida sin mi.

With the released of December 24th and 31st, the strategy of French distributors this year is particularly critical. But in spite of everything, there are several producions that will attempt to lure their share of audiences. Following the logic of Christmas vacation, there is the Italian animated film Opopomoz by Enzo D’Alò, 25 copies of which will be released by MK2 Distribution. It should also be said that the competition for youthful audiences has been particularly ruthless with the arrival of the American Finding Nemo, which in just three weeks has brought in more than 5 million moviegoers.
But there will also be the Spanish melodrama by Isabel Coixet entitled Mi vida sin mi, produced by the Almodovar brothers’ firm El Deseo and distributed by ARP Selection (50 copies). As far as French production is concerned, December 24th will see the release of two full-length features that participated at the latest Cannes Film Festival: the hospital thriller Qui a tué Bambi? by Gilles Marchand (15 copies distributed by Haut et Court) and Les Lionceaux by Claire Doyon (6 copies by Shellac). And let’s not forget Happy End by Amos Kollek, produced by Les Films Alain Sarde, with Audrey Tautou and distributed by Mars Distribution.
December 31st promises a more tranquil pace with European films being represented by the British comedy by Nigel Cole, Calendar Girls, with 150 copies distributed by GBVI.

(Translated from French)