10/09/2005

Le petit lieutenant directed by French director Xavier Beauvois and presented as opening film in the second Venice Days has won the Label Europa Cinemas, awarded by a jury consisting of four European exhibitors: Henk Camping (Filmtheatre’t Hoogt - Holland), Matthias Brunner (Arthouse - Switzerland), Salvatore Cordaro (Aurora et Igeas – Italy) and Matthias Nohrborg (Triangelfilm – Sweden). According to the jurists : "this powerful drama, without pretension, offers a unique perspective on the daily life of a police department. The ensemble cast is remarkable and Xavier Beauvois is without doubt one of the most talented current French directors". Also a winner at the parallel sections of Berlin and Cannes, this Label guarantees the winning film solid promotion and a wide circulation thanks to the 600 theatres (1420 screens in 322 towns) which make up the network Europa Cinemas.

Fourth feature by Xavier Beauvois following Nord (1991), N’oublie pas que tu vas mourir (1995 – Jury Prize at Cannes) and Selon Matthieu (in official competition in Venice), Le petit lieutenant (read the article) was produced by Pascal Caucheteux for Why Not Productions. With a budget of 4,39 million euros, including notably support of 400 000 euros from France 2 Cinéma and a presale from Canal +, the film is sold internationally by Studio Canal and will be released on the 16th of November in the French theatres (Mars Distribution).

The second edition of Venice Days also honoured another French film: 13 (Tzameti). The first feature by the director of Georgian origin Gela Babluani produced by Les Films de la Strada and sold by MK2 (which will also look after French distribution) and was also given the Netpac Award for "the filmmaker’s mastery in depicting a nightmare world".

(Translated from French)