While France reopens its cinemas on Wednesday with 40 films showing, Philippe Vandel received Ardavan Safaee, president of Pathé Films, in "Media Culture".

The leader explains, with supporting figures, that the bottling of films feared by many, and in particular small production companies, is not reality.

INTERVIEW

They are spoiled for choice.

The first spectators of cinemas, which reopen Wednesday after 201 days of closure due to the pandemic, have 40 films at their disposal.

Between those who stand out and those who could not get out, the sector announces a traffic jam, with the risk that many films do not have time to find their audience.

An anxiety not necessarily justified to believe the president of Pathé Films, Ardavan Safaee, who is Wednesday the guest of 

Culture Médias

.

>> Find Philippe Vandel and Culture-Médias every day from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Europe 1 as well as in replay and podcast here

Outings spread over the year

"Since the start of this affair a few weeks ago, I have the impression that there is an absolute fantasy about what is called the film wall," says Ardavan Safaee.

According to him, there will be no more new movie releases in the coming weeks than in previous years.

“On May 22, 2019, there were more than 100 films showing in all theaters in France,” he says.

“Over a full year, that of 2019, there are roughly 750 new films that have been released. So, between 14 and 15 films per week on average. Over the period from May 19 to December 31, 2021 will be released. almost 12 films per week on average. "

A work "in good understanding"

"We are very far from being faced with what is called a wall of films", wants to reassure the president of Pathé Films, who estimates the stock of 400 films to be released will be spread over a long period of more than 7 months.

However, the National Cinema Center, unsuccessfully organized a crisis meeting on May 5 to avoid a traffic jam at its exits.

>> For a preview of films showing or coming soon, listen to our story here:

"For me, there is no crisis at all," insists Ardavan Safaee.

"I understand that some have a fear that their films do not live. But between the distributors of films and the exhibitors, we know how to organize. We have always done it in good understanding".