Despite high hopes from its producers and Telefilm Canada and a great pedigree, Deepa Mehta’s Republic of Love did not gross among the top-five homegrown films at the Canadian box office in its opening week.

Released in 17 theaters by Seville Pictures on Feb. 13, Republic, adapted from Carol Shields’ award-winning novel, grossed $50,500 in its first week, well behind the Quebec features that continue to dominate at the Canadian box office.

The Quebec feature Dans l’oeil du chat, released at 27 theaters by Alliance Atlantis Vivafilm on the same day as Republic, brought in $137,358 as the highest-grossing Canadian film of the week.

The psychological thriller about a woman who disappears while traveling in India is the first feature from director Rudy Barichello. Pierre Beaudry, president of Films Zingaro, produced the $1.5-million film.

Next was Denys Arcand’s smash Les Invasions barbares. After 39 weeks it continues to pull in more than $2,000 per theater.

Third, with a weekly total of $100,327, was Triplets of Belleville, the Canada/France/Belgium copro, produced primarily in Montreal. Distributed by Odeon, the full-length animation has brought in $656,713, with an average of $5,902.

Coming in just under Triplets was Francois Pouliot’s La Grande seduction, which remains at 36 theaters after a 32-week run. Also from Alliance, the comedy feature has brought in more than $8 million.

The only English-Canadian film to make the top five was The Corporation, from Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott. The doc feature brought in $471,336 in five weeks, for an average of $7,954 per theater.

The sequel to werewolf chick flick Ginger Snaps remains in six theaters after being released by Seville Jan. 30. Directed by Brett Sullivan, the total box office for Ginger Snaps: Unleashed was $185,916.