rise in Quebec

Montreal: Bureau de la Statistiques du Quebec has released its annual figures on film distribution revenues in the province.

The figures cover 1993 and show combined revenues from theaters, home video and television rose 23.9% over the preceding year to $202.8 million. Distributors earned $47.6 million from theatrical exhibition, $21.4 million from the sale of films to television, and $133.8 million from the sale and rental of videocassettes. Overall revenues collected from theatrical exhibition rose from $77.3 million in 1992 to $89 million in 1993.

According to the bsq, the share of overall theatrical receipts for Quebec films dropped to an unprecedented low of 3%. u.s. films took in 85% of the box office in Quebec. Admissions to French-language films, in dubbed or original versions, rose 18.5% in 1993, a clear indication the Quebec film-going public is now watching more dubbed Hollywood movies. LRB