A film in France was eagerly awaited: Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom.
Directed by Guillaume Canet, the feature film came up against the covid-19 pandemic and numerous postponements before finally being offered in French dark rooms. With a budget of approximately 65 million euros, the objective was set at 7 to 8 million admissions. According to information from the informedthe director had to pocket “a bonus of one million euros gross if the film exceeds 7 million spectators in France”. Finally the bar of five million will not have been exceeded. “It’s absolutely not a failure”assured the star in the columns of Sunday newspaper. “It has been sold all over the world and has so far made more than 2 million admissions internationally, with boxes in Europe, in Poland for example.”
According Unifrance, Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Empire managed to exceed two million admissions outside France for a total of 13.4 million receipts. The production is the biggest international success for a French production since the end of 2019. “We forget that before Avatar launched the movement on a large scale at the end of the pandemic, few films made these figures”said Marcel’s father.
Critics that touch but do not sink it
The filmmaker gave his opinion on the many criticisms, sometimes virulent which fell on his work. “But I can’t help it. Me, I worked for five years to achieve what I wanted to do: a great adventure show. It appeals to some, not to others. Top marks or reviews don’t always go to the films that attract the most viewers.” Injured, Guillaume Canet does not let himself be defeated. “I hope I make another film that will please my detractors more and make them change their minds about my work.” And prefers to retain the positive opinions of “People in the street, especially children. They liked it a lot, that’s the most important thing for me.”
Besides, he does not close the door to take the reins “of a new big machine in a few years”.
See also: Guillaume Canet: his “Asterix and Obelix: the middle empire” lands on Netflix but the French will not have access to it!
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