Following speculation that EuropaCorp will shutter its French film distribution arm, the company announced it is entering into a three-year distribution partnership with Pathe, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That means director Luc Besson’s Anna, starring Helen Mirren, will get a French release even as the beleaguered company faces financial troubles. Nous Finerons Ensemble, starring Guillaume Canet will also fall under this deal. EuropaCorp had pushed back the releases as it tried to find a distribution partner. Anna was moved from a planned Jan. 2 bow to a March 27 opening in France. Lionsgate, which has U.S. rights to Anna, has shelved the film for now. “We’re delighted to partner with Pathé, and to share our savoir-faire and enthusiasm with them,” said Besson. A spokesperson for EuropaCorp painted the news as a positive for the company as they face the next round of financial results on Dec. 14. “This partnership allows us to have the best of both worlds: reduce our overhead, manage our distribution and work with the best talents in France,” they said. The decision to partner with Pathe comes as EuropaCorp is trying to reduce its overhead as the company is in financial peril after the global disappointment of Besson’s $180 million to $200 million sci-fi epic Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. Besson also faces legal peril after Belgian actress Sand Van Roy accused Besson of raping her, sparking a police investigation. On Nov. 28, five more woman came forward in a report in French investigative magazine Mediapart, alleging sexual misconduct. In total, nine separate woman have accused the director of sexual assault and harassment.
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