Chanel Leads Revival of Paris Cinema Saint-Germain-des-Prés
6 reported
A coalition of French business, publishing, and film figures, led by luxury house Chanel, has revived the historic Saint-Germain-des-Prés cinema in Paris. The 208-seat Left Bank theater reopened last week with a gala screening of Paweł Pawlikowski’s Cannes competition title “Fatherland,” presented by Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Frémaux. The venue, once known as the Bilboquet and later the Olympic Saint-Germain, had been closed for more than a decade. CNC president Gaëtan Bruel used the occasion to defend France’s theatrical model amid political pressure, citing attendance figures showing admissions up 20% over the first five months of the year. The cinema is positioning itself as a permanent home for film lovers, combining contemporary auteur cinema, repertory screenings, filmmaker conversations, and festival events. The project is backed by producer Charles Gillibert, investment banker Grégoire Chertok, and other cultural patrons.
What’s reported
Chanel served as lead partner behind the reopening of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés cinema.
The 208-seat venue reopened after more than a decade away from the public.
The reopening featured a gala screening of Paweł Pawlikowski’s Cannes competition title “Fatherland.”
CNC president Gaëtan Bruel stated that cinema admissions were up 20% over the first five months of the year, with French films accounting for roughly 44% of the domestic market.
The cinema’s new managing director, Mathilde Lamour, said the venue will be “a home for all cinemas.”
The project is led by producer Charles Gillibert and investment banker Grégoire Chertok, among others.
Key figures
Gaëtan Bruel, CNC president
Thierry Frémaux, Cannes Film Festival chief
Charles Gillibert, producer
Grégoire Chertok, investment banker
Mathilde Lamour, managing director of Saint-Germain-des-Prés cinema
Paweł Pawlikowski, filmmaker
Éric Lenoir, director of publication of Cahiers du Cinéma
Alexis Dantec, co-owner of Les Films du Losange
Jean-Sébastien Decaux, buyer of Galatée Films
Vera Michalski-Hoffmann, Swiss publisher and philanthropist
Hugo Rubini, founder of Rubini & Associés
Georges Rocchietta, co-founder and chairman of Atland
Sylvain Mortera, unnamed role
Hans Zischler, actor portraying Thomas Mann in “Fatherland”
Bertrand Mandico, director of “Roma Elastica”
Marion Cotillard, star of “Roma Elastica”
Ramata-Toulaye Sy, filmmaker
Sources: Variety
