Distributor A Company Russia announced the stunning result on Monday morning (12) as the ambitious adaptation by Wachowski siblings and Tom Tykwer began its international run in earnest.

Cloud Atlas opened in Russia on 1,438 screens on Nov 8 on rbls 282m including previews from the previous weekend. The launch marked the first release from A Company Russia. The company said the result compared favourably through Nov 11 with The Dark Knight Rises and Skyfall, both of which grossed $8.3m on their opening weekends.

Fox International’s 20th Century Fox Russia office handled booking on behalf of the local distributor.

Cast members Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving and Doona Bae attended the European premiere in Moscow on Nov 1 with Tykwer and Lana and Andy Wachowski. Cloud Atlas also stars Tom Hanks, Jim Sturgess, Jim Broadbent, Susan Sarandon, Ben Whishaw and James D’Arcy.

The karmic odyssey, which spans the evolution of a soul across many centuries and locations, also opened at number one in Ukraine on $633,000 from 120 screens. A Company Russia worked closely on that release with B&H Film Distribution.

“We are proud of the remarkable results in Russia and the Ukraine,” said A Company Filmed Entertainment CEO Alexander van Dülmen.

“We always trusted in Cloud Atlas, an epic masterpiece by three amazing filmmakers. It is immensely gratifying that this very first release of A Company Russia is number 1 at the Russian box-office. And, I’m equally pleased to congratulate our distribution partner in Ukraine, B&H, who also delivered fantastic results.”

Focus Features International handled international sales on Cloud Atlas and commenced talks with buyers in Cannes 2011. Warner Bros distributes in the US.

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