10/06/2015 - The critics are raving over the new film by the off-the-wall, amusing and poetic Bruno Podalydès, which is being released in almost 250 theatres by UGC

While attendance levels in French theatres saw a clear decrease in May, a drop of 28.4% compared to 2014, according to the CNC’s estimates (giving a total of 88.78 million admissions over the first five months of the year, and market shares of 38.2% for French films, 46.8% for US productions and 15% for features hailing from other countries), UGC Distribution is hoping to kick-start things again today by distributing Bruno Podalydès’ The Sweet Escape [+see also:
trailer
film profile] in approximately 250 theatres. 

Having proved very popular among the critics, the new movie by the director of Only God Sees Me, which won the César Award for Best Debut Feature in 1999, Liberté Oléron (2001), The Mystery of the Yellow Room, Perfume of the Lady in Black [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Bruno Podalydès
interview: Pascal Caucheteux
film profile] (out of competition at Venice in 2005), Park Benches [+see also:
trailer
film profile] in 2009 and Granny’s Funeral [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] (Directors’ Fortnight in 2012) boasts a cast including the director himself, together with Sandrine Kiberlain, Agnès Jaoui, Vimala Pons, Denis Podalydès, Michel Vuillermoz and Jean-Noël Brouté. The story recounts the misfortunes of a married fifty-something man who is in the throes of an existential crisis and who heads off on a kayaking trip, alone. This interlude is fuelled by unexpected encounters, making for a comical and thoroughly charming film, with the talented Claire Mathon serving as DoP. Produced by Why Not, The Sweet Escape was co-produced by France 3 Cinéma, pre-purchased by Canal+ and OCS, and backed by the Ile-de-France region and the Soficinema Sofica. Its international sales are handled by Wild Bunch.

On a completely different note, Mars Distribution is bringing out around 60 copies of the gritty French Blood [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Diastème (read the article), a film centred on an extreme right-wing skinhead who gradually makes amends for his behaviour, a subject matter that apparently had quite a few exhibitors worried and led to the cancellation of a whole string of preview screenings. 

Also of note is the fact that Cinétévé is distributing its own production Etre [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Fara Sene in 22 cinemas, a feature co-produced with Belgium, which intertwines the paths of five characters (a police officer at his wit’s end, a foster daughter feeling ill at ease with herself, a small-town man who dreams of travelling the world, a mechanic who wants to run away from his council estate, and a homeless person) over 24 hours. 

As for non-French European movies, Synergy Cinéma is distributing the endearing X+Y [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by British director Morgan Matthews (read the review) across 136 screens, a feature debut unveiled at Toronto, which garnered four nominations for the BIFAs, including one for Asa Butterfield in the Best Actor category.

Also hitting screens today are such titles as Wondrous Boccaccio [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Paolo and Vittorio Taviani
film profile] by Paolo and Vittorio Taviani (read the interview - Bellissima Films in 53 theatres).

(Translated from French)