‘Anatomy of a Fall’ Enters Awards Season With Big Specialty Box Office Numbers and Early Prizes, Despite French Oscar Committee Snub
Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” missed out on being chosen as France’s Oscar entry, but the movie has been a critical and commercial hit — including in the U.S., where it’s become the highest-grossing specialized foreign-language release post-pandemic, according to distributor Neon.
Released in the States on Oct. 13, “Anatomy of a Fall” has pulled in $3.5 million so far, putting it ahead of Joachim Trier’s “The Worst Person in the World” and on track to match last year’s Palme d’Or winner “Triangle of Sadness,” another Neon movie.
More from Variety
A courtroom drama exploring the collapse of a marriage, “Anatomy of a Fall” stars Sandra Huller (“The Zone of Interest”) as a novelist who is put on trial following the mysterious death of her husband, and sees her son being called to the witness stand.
The film’s international box office total currently sits at $22 million. In France, it has amassed $10 million from 1.3 million tickets (as of Dec. 6) since opening on Aug. 23, according to Comscore. Released locally by Le Pacte, “Anatomy of a Fall” has grossed almost 10 times more than “The Taste of Things,” France’s official Oscar entry, which has sold 151,000 tickets in its first two weeks of release.
In the U.K., “Anatomy of a Fall” is also a smash hit. It’s become Picturehouse’s second biggest release of all time. It has already passed $1.5 million in the U.K. and Ireland, where it released via Lionsgate and Picturehouse last weekend. “Anatomy of a Fall” has now surpassed recent Cannes Competition titles, such as Ken Loach’s “The Old Oak” ($1.3 million) and “The Worst Person in the World ($1.4 million) in the U.K. It’s also performing stronger than last year’s Palme d’Or winner, “Triangle of Sadness,” at the same point of its release. The satirical movie, directed by Ruben Ostlund, eventually grossed $2 million.
The film has been popular across the Netherlands, Germany and Italy as well. Upcoming releases are planned in many more markets, including Australia and a string of further territories in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
While the movie wasn’t selected by France’s Oscar committee to compete in the best international film race, Neon has now successfully positioned the film as a potent contender in some main categories, including actress for Huller and screenplay. With awards season in full swing in the U.S., “Anatomy of a Fall” was just named best international film by the National Board of Review, won a pair of Gotham Awards (screenplay and international feature) and nabbed the international feature award at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards, a prize that went to major contenders and winners in the past, such as “Parasite” and “Worst Person in the World.” Triet’s movie also garnered a nod at the Atlanta Film Critics Circle Awards.
Sold around the world by MK2 Films, “Anatomy of a Fall” has also been nominated for best international film at the Film Independent Spirit Awards. In addition, the movie picked up best international independent film at the British Independent Film Awards, and is vying for four awards at the European Film Awards, which will take place Dec. 9.
The last movie that was snubbed by France’s Oscar committee, Audrey Diwan’s Venice-prizewinning “Happening,” also went on to be a major success, winning a BAFTA as well as prizes at the Gotham and Cesar Awards in 2022.
Produced by David Thion and Marie-Ange Luciani, “Anatomy of a Fall” is Triet’s most popular film to date. The helmer previously directed the comedy-drama “Victoria” and psychological thriller “Sibyl,” both of which starred Virginie Efira (“Benedetta”).
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
