Seven Australian films have been released in US cinemas this year led by The Water Diviner, which has grossed a decent $US2.5 million in 12 days on 320 screens.
The other six titles all had limited theatrical exposure as a platform for VOD and DVD sales. Predestination, for example, premiered in January on 20 screens and earned $68,372.
Not so with George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road, which Warner Bros. is launching on May 15 (May 14 in Australia) after the Cannes Film Festival premiere.
A little-heralded success is Genevieve Bailey's I Am Eleven, which has had a staggered roll-out since last September and amassed $301,000 so far, including nearly $100,000 this calendar year. In Australia the feature doc has grossed an admirable $330,000.
However most other producers contacted by IF have not yet been given B.O. figures and digital sales results from the US distributors, which could suggest tardy reporting practices.
Magnolia launched Kriv Stenders’ black comedy/thriller Kill Me Three Times on 16 screens on April 10 after it was released on iTunes and other VOD platforms on March 26.
In that ultra-VOD window films typically cost $US9.99 to rent, which drops to the regular $6.99 or so when the film opens in cinemas.
Producer Tania Chambers tells IF, “We have not received updated figures but continue to be pleased with the results of Kill Me Three Times. It has received fantastic festival play, garnered multiple international sales, including the one to Magnolia for the US. As it rolls out around the world it appears that it will be profitable in each market if the US is any indication.
“Magnolia was able to have control over the sequencing and windowing of the film, such that the limited theatrical release successfully supported all the other platforms. We think it's important to see the theatrical results in that context.
“We are also happy that there are plenty of critics who liked the film. It is a fun, darkly comedic thriller that plays with those audiences who get that type of genre.”
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AUSTRALIAN FILMS RELEASED IN THE US
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Title |
Release Date |
Total |
|
1 |
The Water Diviner |
April 24 |
$2,512,270
|
|
2 |
I Am Eleven |
Sept 2014 |
99,995* |
|
3 |
Predestination |
January 9 |
68,372 |
|
4 |
Kill Me Three Times |
April 10 |
23,137 |
|
5 |
Son of a Gun |
January 23 |
6,159 |
|
6 |
These Final Hours |
March 6 |
2,322
|
|
7 |
52 Tuesdays |
March 27 |
2,041 |
|
8 |
Wyrmwood: Road to the Dead |
February 13 |
N/A
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*2015 calendar year gross
Grosses through May 5
Sources: Rentrak/Box Office Mojo/The Numbers