French film industry in crisis: Cinemas see 30% drop in ticket sales

FRANCE IN FOCUS © FRANCE 24

From the Lumière Brothers to the New Wave, cinema in France has long been a source of national pride and a favourite pastime. But the French film industry is in a multifaceted crisis. Movie theatres simply aren't drawing the crowds they used to. This is having an effect on the entire sector, since ticket sales partly finance film budgets, especially independent ones. Film professionals gathered earlier this month to ring the alarm bells. We take a closer look at the causes of the crisis, from the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic to competition from streaming platforms. We also hear from acclaimed film producer Philippe Carcassonne.