News

A scene from the TV series “l3P.” ®Mika Cotellon-Storia Television. Courtesy of MHz Choice

The French crime drama miniseries “l3P” is rather unusual in its premise and structure. Before you get into a sci-fi frame of mind, this Isn’T about a relative of C-3Po or R2-D2. The title is the name of the police psychiatric clinic, run by eccentric shrink Matthias Bernhardt (Marc Lavoine). He usually seems distracted from the given moment by other thoughts, and is further bothered by recurring visions and blackouts that may be due to undiagnosed brain damage, for which he remains firmly in denial. Each case brings him crimes to be solved with police captain Nathalie Fontaine (Barbara Schulz), who vacillates among irritation and resentment of the doc, respect for his skills and a semi-maternal fondness for him personally.

The series is six 50-minute episodes, with each main case being a two-parter.

After an initially steady start to 2025, French cinema admissions plummeted in March, down 17.5% year on year to a total of 12.5 million ticket sales, according to Cnc estimates.

That is the lowest recorded month of March since 1995’s 10.9 million admissions other than during a pandemic 2020 when all cinemas in the country were closed, and down 37% on the pre-pandemic 2017-2019 average.

Total box office in March amounted to €90.5m based on an average ticket price of €7.24.

For the first three months of the year, box office now stands at €318m for 43.96 million admissions, down 7% for the period.

Ticket sales were boosted slightly...

Music Box Films has acquired U.S. distribution rights to “Solo,” Sophie Dupuis’s queer love story of two rising drag performers starring Théodore Pellerin (“Beau Is Afraid) and Félix Maritaud (“120 Bpm”).

The edgy film — which is repped by Snd and premiered at Toronto where it won best Canadian film — follows Simon, a rising star of Montreal drag queen scene, who falls in love with Olivier, the new recruit at the bar where he performs. While Simon believes he is experiencing an electrifying love story with Olivier, a toxic dynamic develops between them. At the same time, Simon’s mother, a famous opera singer, returns to work in the country after 15 years of absence. Fascinated by her, Simon persists in trying to create a bond with her, but in vain. Weakened by the failure of these two impossible relationships, Simon must learn how to find the love he deserves from within.

French actress turned director Barbara Schulz’s Treasure Hunters: On the Tracks Of Khufu, has been acquired by France’s Snd which is launching sales on the French take on Indiana Jones at the European Film Market later this month

The film is Schulz’s directorial debut and will star Fabrice Luchini as an archaeologist who joins forces with his daughter and grandson in a race against time to find a hidden treasure in locations from Cairo to Paris. Julia Piaton will co-star.

Schulz’s acting credits include roles in Léa Domenach’s Bernadette/

Snd is also producing the film with Bonne Pioche Cinema,...

Documentary

More than a dozen members of the British Royal Family offer their personal thoughts in a new documentary as they pay tribute to the life of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who died in April at 99.

All the children of the Queen and the Duke, along with their adult grandchildren and other members of the Royal Family, agreed to take part in Oxford Films’ “Prince Philip: The Royal Family.” Originally conceived to mark Prince Philip’s 100th birthday, the documentary features interviews filmed both before and after the Duke’s death and has footage filmed inside Buckingham Palace, including the Duke’s study, private office and library.

It was commissioned by Patrick Holland, BBC director of factual, arts and classical music, and Claire Sillery, head of commissioning, documentaries. The BBC commissioning editor is Simon Young.

The writer and co-producer is Robert Hardman and the executive producer is Nicolas Kent.