France set to smash B.O. records

France, Europe's finest film market, is on course to smash box-office revenue records this season -- for that 35th month running. Total B.O. through November showed up at 191.3 million admissions -- about 1.3 billion ($1.7 billion) in grosses -- 2% on 2010's first 11 several days, France's CNC film board estimations. Distribbed by Gaumont, Gallic comedy "Intouchables" has sustained traction in November, notching up an remarkable $110.millions of through 12 ,. 13. Powered by "Intouchables," Studiocanal comedy "Hollywoo" and "Puss in Boots," French box office supervised inside the initial few times of December about 20% within the same period a year ago. "Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol" bowed Wednesday with a promising otherwise stellar first-day $946,557. Another feel-good French comedy, "La Delicatesse," starring Audrey Tautou, opens 12 ,. 21. "Intouchables," "M:I 4" and "Delicatesse" should take French B.O. substantially past 2010's total trawl of 206.5 million tix offered, the finest ticket sales since 1967, which repped around Euros1.4 billion ($1.8 billion) in general grosses, a thrilling-time high for Gaul. There has been no notable partner December bows this season. "French box office will probably be beyond a year ago,Inch together with an archive all-time Euro gross, mentioned Serge Siritzky, editor of French film-TV publication Ecran Total. Carrying out a poor first quarter, French movies drove Gaul's box-office rally (see Variety, November. 10), nabbing a 40% business through November. French cinema has tips "from an array of films this season,In . including Golden Globe nomination-leader "The Artist," an arthouse title, which has loved commercial success, Siritzky mentioned. Elsa Keslassy brought with this article. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com