13/04/2006

After a wave of US films in Holland, it is likely to be a European spring. However, although there are three big European productions being released today, it is two US titles that will dominate Dutch screens.

First up, A-Film Distribution is distributing Roberto Benigni’s The Tiger and the Snow [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (see interview) on seven screens and Academy Films UK film Opal Dream [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Peter Cattaneo on four screens. Dark Horse [+see also:
trailer
film profile] from young Icelandic talent Dagur Kári will be distributed in the Netherlands by Benelux Film Distribution on 4 screens. Nevertheless, the two US releases, Scary Movie 4 and Firewall, will dominate 110 screens (76 for Scary Movie), which is indeed cause for fear.

BFD, the new company formed from the merger of Filmworks and Inspire Pictures and their association with Belgian outfit Lumière, have reason to celebrate with the box office success of The White Masai [+see also:
trailer
film profile]. While the film is in its fifth week of release, Hermine Huntgeburth’s film has seen its market share grow by 2% (after a 10% fall) and grossing €88,745 at the box office this week.

As for “the” European release of last week, The Secret Life of Words [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Isabel Coixet
film profile] did not feature in this weekend’s top 20, as it failed to reach the minimum 10,000 admissions figure.

(Translated from French)