30/09/2005

Top network for art-house and experimental theatres in France and third largest exhibitor in Paris, MK2 launches on Sunday a new six-screen complex, the MK2 Quai de Loire will face the MK2 Quai de Seine opened nine years ago and, with 550 000 spectators per year, is in second place on the circuit of Marin Karmitz after the MK2 Bibliothèque (1,2 million admissions annually). Built in the XIXth arrondissement o Paris, in the heart of neighbourhood that was considered run-down ten years ago, the axis Quai de Loire - Quai de Seine has 12 theatres and 2076 seats, and a boat baptised "Zéro de conduite" in memory of filmmaker Jean Vigo linking the two buildings which are separated by the Villette canal.

Opened in the presence of the Minister for Culture Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, the mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoë and numerous French cinema personalities such as filmmakers Alain Corneau and Agnès Varda and actors Sylvie Testud, Isild Le Besco and Sara Forestier, the MK2 Quai de Loire opens its doors to the public next Wednesday. Note, too, the festivities organised for Sunday, the preview screening of future MK2 releases, notably the British feature Une belle journée by Gaby Dellal with Peter Mullan (release the 7th December) and the French film 13 (Tzameti) by Gela Babluani, awarded best film at the recent Venice Festival (in cinemas from the 1st February 2006).
Founded in 1974, the MK2 group owns 11 cinemas and 64 screens accumulating 4,5 million admissions each year. An exhibition arm that is part of a business that includes production, distribution, video publishing and international sales which make Marin Karmitz (also leader of the National Federation of French distributors), one of the most important personalities of the 7th Art in France.

(Translated from French)