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Film Industry
18
Cinema Attendance in Poland 2005-2007
Current trends in the Polish cinema market are similar to those
in other European countries. The biggest box office and attendance
success goes to Hollywood blockbusters that reach similar status
worldwide. However, much like in other countries of Central Europe
(Hungary, Czech Republic) the past year marked a significant rise
in admissions to local films. In Poland these were mainly mediumbudget
romantic comedies. One thing unique in Poland is the
incredible popularity of film biographies of Pope John Paul II (three
Top 10 box office hits of 2005-2006) and of films considered
historically significant.
2005
The year 2005 marked a global decrease in cinema attendance,
with an almost 30% drop in Poland when compared to the record
year 2004. Although the number of films released in cinemas
increased to a record 224, this found no reflection in attendance or
revenue. Total admissions were at 23.3 million, revenues at
331.6 million PLN (approx. 103 million USD). The share of
European films in the market also reached an unprecedented 23%,
with a record number of 72 premieres. This was a result of
Poland's entry into the European Union and subsequent MEDIA
funding for film distributors. As for Polish films, there were 24
premieres that year (more than in two previous years), however
none reached blockbuster status. This was to change in 2006.
The biggest film of 2005 was rather unexpectedly the made-for-TV
movie Karol. Człowiek, który został papie˝em / Karol: A Man Who
Became Pope, with almost 1.9 million viewers. Eight of the Top 10
films of 2005 were Hollywood productions.
2006
2006 was a much better season for the cinema market in Poland.
Admissions increased by about 30%. Nine Polish films had an
attendance of over 200,000 viewers, whereas in 2005 no single
Polish feature achieved such results. Again, the largest cinema
success was held by made-for-TV movies. Apart from 2005's Karol:
A Man Who Became Pope, two other TV movies about the Polish
pope reached blockbuster status, filling slots 2 and 3 of the Top
10 list.
The Top 20 list included 12 children's movies and three Polish
features (two of them in the Top 10). Polish features held a share
of 16% of total admissions (compared to 3.4% in 2005).
The number of releases increased slightly to 236, including 27
Polish titles. Six of the Top 10 films were made in Hollywood.
2007
The year 2007 brought a further increase in cinema attendance
and an ever growing popularity of Polish films. Total admissions
reached the level of 32.6 million, and the Top 3 films included two
Polish features – Katyn (2.74 million viewers) and Testosteron /
Testosterone (1.36 million). A record five Polish films made it into
the Top 10. They varied in genres – from historical dramas (Katyn)
to comedies (Testosterone and RyÊ), romantic comedies (Dlaczego
nie! / Why Not!) and crime (Âwiadek koronny / State Witness). In
addition, the record-breaking Katyn was screened on 189 prints,
whereas State Witness, the last on this list, had a mere 81 prints.
The success of Andrzej Wajda's Katyn is unquestionable. This was a
film awaited by the entire Polish audience. Its results placed it in the
Top 10 of most popular movies since 1989.
The only other films to achieve such high attendance in 2007 were
movies for young audiences, including three animated films. The
biggest hit was Shrek the Third, others included Harry Potter and
the Order of the Phoenix, Ratatouille, Pirates of the Caribbean: At
World's End and Bee Movie.
Polish Cinema Tomorrow
In mid-2007 the first digital cinema was opened in Poland. This
number soon increased and several cinemas also introduced digital
3D technology. Market analysts are certain that the development of
digital cinema will be very dynamic and by 2013 nearly half of the
cinemas in the world will be digital.
Digital technology in the cinema means not only better quality,
longer print life and considerable savings for film distributors. It will
also influence a further development of the cinema market and film
selection. It is estimated that the share of Polish films in the market
will continue to increase. More mainstream productions are
expected, while artistic cinema will continue to receive support from
the Polish Film Institute. Early 2008 will see the release of four
romantic comedies, one period movie, one drama and even a horror
film – a genre absent from Polish cinema for years.