While the French film industry has been rattled by recent criticism of its government-supported financing system, it had a record-breaking year abroad, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
Pushed by a trio of popular pictures – Taken 2, The Artist and The Intouchables - French film exports hauled in $1.16 billion (€875 million) internationally in 2012, a new record. Overall, French films sold a total of 140 million tickets in international markets last year.
Powered by the success of these three films, French films doubled their box office receipts and ticket sales over 2011. However promotional organization UniFrance cited more than 30 films that sold at least 500,000 tickets abroad as a sign of overall strength of the industry.
Taken 2 took in $355 million (€264 million) in 70 markets, performing best in the United States and Canada. Though in English, Taken 2 was produced by LucBesson’s Paris-based EuropaCorp and made by French director Olivier Megaton.
The Intouchables now is the most successful French-language film of all time in international theaters, smashing the previous record held by 2001’s Amelie. The inspirational drama brought home $269 million (€202 million) from around the globe in 2012.
Oscar-winner The Artist, meanwhile, brought home $102 million (€77 million) in addition to its best picture and other trophies at the Oscars and other awards.
Asterix & Obelix: God Save Britannia ($28.5 million), Carnage ($12.9 million), A Monster in Paris ($10.2 million) and Amour ($9.7 million) were also highlighted for exceptionally strong box office takes in 2012.
Read more of this report from The Hollywood Reporter.