Montreal: Massive marketing campaigns on behalf of early summer Quebec releases are paying off big time.

Equinoxe Films reports the Emile Gaudreault comedy Mambo Italiano has garnered $1.3 million in its first 10 days of theatrical release at the Quebec box office. The film opened on 100 screens across Quebec on June 6, with 23 screens in its original English version and 77 screens in its dubbed French version.

Equinoxe says the English version has performed very strongly for an impressive cumulative per screen average of $17,600, while the French version has had a per screen average of $11,200. The comedy grossed a solid $460,000 at the box office in its opening June 6-8 weekend, taking the number-two spot after 2 Fast 2 Furious. In its second weekend, Mambo held up rather nicely, dipping a mere 9.8% while holding onto its number-two position.

Distrib Alliance Atlantis Vivafilm reports Denys Arcand’s double Cannes prize winner Les Invasions barbares had cumulative box-office receipts of just over $4.6 million following the June 13-15 weekend. Invasions was launched on 136 Quebec screens May 9.

Both Mambo and Invasions are produced by Montreal’s Cinemaginaire.

Yves Dion, VP distribution for Equinoxe, says the Quebec launch and ‘positive critical response bodes well for the film’s release on 150 screens in English Canada on Sept. 19.’

Equinoxe has sold U.S. rights to Mambo to the Samuel Goldwyn Co. and made sales to 23 other countries, including France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Israel and Australia.

Based on Steve Galluccio’s hit stage play, Mambo Italiano is the story of a loving but dysfunctional Italian immigrant family whose life is thrown into an uproar when their son announces his male roommate is actually his lover. The ensemble cast includes Hollywood veteran Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas, Law & Order), international singing sensation and actress Ginette Reno (Leolo, C’t’a ton tour, Laura Cadieux), renowned comedienne Mary Walsh (New Waterford Girl, This Hour Has 22 Minutes), Luke Kirby (Lost and Delirious, Halloween: Resurrection), Peter Miller (The Last Chapter), Claudia Ferri (Stardom) and Sophie Lorain (Alice Tremblay, Fortier).