The Impossible boosts Spanish cinema to record high

Despite a tough year for cinema, with a drop of 6% in attendance, Spanish films have grossed $140m - the biggest number to date.

The success of The Impossible, Tad the Explorer and I Want You, which each sold more than a million tickets, have pushed the market share to 17.9%, the best figure in 27 years, according to Rentrak. 

The Impossible, with $53m in 11 weeks and 5.8 million tickets, has broken every record for a Spanish film.

The success of another local pic released at the same time, animation feature Tad the Explorer, with $23.6m raised the Spanish share to 40.4% in Oct/Nov. 

I Want You, a teenage drama by Fernando González Molina, also performed strongly at the box office and grossed almost $16m from 2 million tickets. It is the first time in decades that three local titles have reached the top 10 grossing films. 

“At a time when we are discussing a new system for financing Spanish cinema with the government, these results show how important is to keep supporting our industry”, said Pedro Pérez, president of the Spanish producer’s association (FAPAE). 

There were further domestic successes in Spain. In December, two new titles conquered the box office. Una pistola en cada mano, a contemporary portrayal of manhood in Spain, has grossed more than $1.5m since opening on Dec 5, more than anticipated by the industry.

The Body, a thriller by Oriol Paulo with Belén Rueda, has grossed $4m in ten days since its release on Dec 21. 

Red Lights, Unit 7, The Artist and the Model, Blancanieves, Ghost Graduation, REC 3 and The Pelayos also recorded decent performances at the box office in 2012. 

According to ICAA, there were 163 films shot in 2012 – down 5% on 2011 and 15% on 2010.