One President and some Europeans

by Fabien Lemercier

20/09/2006 - Italy, Germany, the UK, Spain, Bosnia-Herzegovina and France: European films are out in force today on French screens, with no less than nine features out of 11 new releases.

ID Distribution are releasing Berlin Golden Bear winner Esma’s Secrets [trailer, film focus] by Jasmila Zbanic (Austria/Germany/Bosnia/Croatia) on 60 screens. Gaumont Columbia TriStar are also releasing the adolescent tale Melissa P in 60 theatres. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, the film was co-produced by Italy's Bess Movie and Spain's Pentagrama Films.

Coming from Germany is Kebab Connection by Anno Saul, released through K Films on 20 screens, while the UK/German/French title The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes [trailer] by the Quay brothers opens in eight theatres (E.D distribution).

Opening on 40 screens through CTV International is The Method [trailer] by Argentinian helmer Marcelo Piñeyro, a feature on company recruitment (see article) starring Eduardo Noriega and co-produced by Alquimia Cinema, Tornasol Films, Arena Producciones, S.L. and Italy’s Cattleya.

Four French films hit the screens today. On release on an impressive 306 screens through Wild Bunch Distribution (formerly Pan Européenne) is Lionel Delplanque’s President [trailer], directed by and starring Albert Dupontel as an anguished head of state, alongside rising star Jérémie Rénier.

A €5.97m production from Alter Films, Thelma Films and France 2 Cinéma, this second feature by Dupontel (Deep in the Woods, 2000) has as its main adversary today the comedy Poor Rich Folks [trailer], directed by and starring Charlotte de Turckheim, out in 380 theatres (TFM Distribution).

To round off the highly varied line-up, MK2 are releasing French title L’héritage [trailer] by Georgia’s Gela and Temur Babluani on 30 screens and La Fabrique de Films are distributing One to Another [trailer] by directing duo Jean-Marc Barr and Pascal Arnold on 61 screens.

(Translated from French)