14/06/2006

The projectors were cranked up today for new features, including Gérald Hustache-Mathieu’s April in Love [+see also:
trailer
film profile], which is being released by Haut et Court on 88 screens.

In 2005, 37% of accredited French films were features (69 films out of 187). The budget of these first films averaged €3.21m, 33% of them received an advance on receipts from the CNC and 51% a pre-sales agreement from Canal+ (€778,300 on average). TPS invested in 12 debut films, Ciné Cinéma in 20 and broadcasters in 25.

This state-funded system of selective support and investment from broadcasters who ensure that French films continue to be made was confirmed by the production of 34 second features in 2005.

Winner of several awards with his two shorts – 2003 César for Best Short for Peau de vache (lit. "Cow’s Skin") and three awards in 2004 for his La Chatte Andalouse (lit. "The Andalusian Cat") at Clermont-Ferrand – April in Love’s cast includes Sophie Quinton, Clément Sibony, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Richaud Valls and Miou-Miou.

The film recounts the life of Avril (Sophie Quinton), a young woman abandoned at birth and raised in a convent. About to become a nun, she discovers that she has a twin brother, whom she sets out to find. On finding him in the Camargue, she spends two weeks’ holidays with him and two other boys on a beach. Produced by Dharamsala, April in Love is being sold internationally by Films Distribution.

Three other French productions also have their theatrical release today. Released by TFM Distribution , Cheating Love by Ivan Calberac, with Alexandra Lamy, Julien Boisselier, Mélanie Doutey and Patrick Chesnais, is an adaptation of the Spanish title The Other Side of the Bed (followed by the recent The Two Sides Of The Bed [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Álvaro Curiel
interview: Emilio Martínez Lázaro
film profile], see Focus).

Meanwhile, Bac Films is releasing Renaud Bertrand’s Les Irréductibles (lit. “The Hardliners”) on 190 screens. Starring Jacques Gamblin, Kad Merad and Anne Brochet, it tells the story of two 40 year-olds trying to take their high school final exam in order to have more luck finding a job.

Other releases today include Iraq: The Song of the Missing Men by Layth Abdulamir, released on one screen by Zarafa Films; two Japanese films; and six US films, including the animated blockbuster Cars by John Lasseter.

(Translated from French)