Latin Americans' passion propels "Christ"

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter ^ | 3-22-04

[truthandlife]

Mel Gibson's rendering of "The Passion of the Christ" found a kindred audience in Latin America, where the controversial biblical narrative enjoyed record-breaking bows in nine territories last weekend.

Other highlights included the strong launch of "Starsky & Hutch" in the United Kingdom and the continued holdover appeal of "Brother Bear," "Along Came Polly," and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."

"Passion" brought in a heavenly $10.1 million from its initial foray into south-of-the-border countries. Complete box office figures for Europe were not available, but it's estimated that the film's total weekend take from about 21 markets came to about $15 million, with the international gross to date estimated to be about $32 million.

"Passion" earned $5 million from Mexico despite an adults-only classification (because of violence), the industry's second-biggest after "Spider-Man." Brazil's $1.8 million bow was the eighth-highest industry opening. Similar Fox and industry accomplishments were recorded in Central American countries contributed $1 million, Chile $709,000, Colombia $691,000 and Peru $496,000.

Germany, the first major European market to greet the Gibson opus, produced a solid second place bow with $2.4 million, behind "Brother Bear" with $4.7 million. "Passion" also opened in three Middle Eastern countries -- Jordan, Lebanon and Qatar -- and tallied $377,000 from 7,000 admissions, with Lebanon said to have set a new opening record for the market.

In two weeks in Ireland, "Passion" is reported to have taken in $1.1 million. The film will get a full U.K. bow this weekend. In Australia, the film has tallied $7.7 million after four weekends and currently holds second place after dominating the market for two sessions.

In addition to Germany, "Brother Bear" opened strongly in Austria, Russia and South Africa, all contributing to a robust $10.1 million weekend that raised the international total to $115.5 million.

The United Kingdom welcomed "Starsky" with a rousing $8.8 million, almost quadrupling the total of second-place "Mona Lisa Smile," which has tallied $4.7 million in two weekends. "Starsky's" first weekend in Iceland scored $54,377.

The romantic comedy "Along Came Polly," with bows in Argentina, the Netherlands and Taiwan, enjoyed an $8.8 million weekend from 19 countries, hoisting its international total to $53 million. Three weekends in the U.K. recorded $13.1 million to date.

The final chapter in the "Rings" trilogy picked up $7.5 million from 61 territories. China dropped 42% in its second weekend, grossing $6.8 million in 10 days. The Oscar winner, No. 1 in Japan for six weeks, has a local total of $71.1 million. Its international gross to date has reached $708.9 million.

Pedro Almodovar broke his own personal record for an opening weekend in Spain, with "Bad Education" earning $1.6 million. The movie is scheduled to open the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

"Something's Gotta Give" went up to $111.6 million after taking in $5 million from 50 territories.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

[truthandlife]

'Passion' ping

[Conspiracy Guy]

Poor Mel. With Hollywood turning their backs on him and the movie bombing everywhere, what will he do for a living. I am saddened by the lack of support by the movie going public for the movie.

Most everyone I know who has gone to see it, myself included, is saying this is the first movie they have viewed in a theater in years. Isn't it strange that this movie has filled theaters with non-theater goers.

Must be asome strange coincidence.

CG

[Aquinasfan]

"Passion" earned $5 million from Mexico despite an adults-only classification (because of violence), the industry's second-biggest after "Spider-Man." Brazil's $1.8 million bow was the eighth-highest industry opening. Similar Fox and industry accomplishments were recorded in Central American countries contributed $1 million, Chile $709,000, Colombia $691,000 and Peru $496,000.

Praise God!

[NewCenturions]

"controversial biblical narrative"

Controversial = not blessed by Hollywood

[VOA]

Controversial = not blessed by Hollywood

e.g., doesn't have a heavily made-over female lead portraying a sympathic
lesbian working as a serial killer, in a warped re-telling of the facts of the case.

[general_re]

Mel's decision to film in Latin and Aramaic makes localizing the film for foreign markets easier, oddly enough. All he has to do is change the language on the subtitles, and he's ready to roll - no voice actors, no new dubs, none of that stuff is really necessary.

[GWB00]

I was working in Santiago Chile last week and my driver (chauffer)who is very involved in his church said he had not seen the Passion of Christ, but showed me a bootleg copy of the movie and was going to watch it over the weekend with some nuns from his church

I thought it ironic they were going to watch a stolen copy of a movie about Christ

I am certain this type of thing is going on all around the region (and probably in the US) and it is deflating the actual number of moviegoers.

[ScudEast]

"Passion" also opened in three Middle Eastern countries -- Jordan, Lebanon and Qatar -- and tallied $377,000 from 7,000 admissions.

That's $54 per ticket, blimey, I thought the prices had got bad round here :)

[Aquinasfan]

I thought it ironic they were going to watch a stolen copy of a movie about Christ

I think "sinful" is a better word.

Bootleg DVDs probably are depressing turnout. They're a serious problem for the movie industry.

[missyme]

I also think Holy Week will be another Box-Office Blockbuster, I know I am going to see it Good Friday as well as others going again during that week..

[winner3000]

...with Lebanon said to have set a new opening record for the market.


Lebanon still has a sizable Christian pro-US population. I urge my fellow citizens not to forget them in their prayers.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Despite the rhetoric and negative media, this movie is doing great everywhere. Those who predicted its failure must be feeling powerless.