Pix button up Gallic B.O.

Yann Samuell's version of 'War from the Buttons' has cumed $10.six million in the French box office and it has offered to commercial network TF1.Christophe Barratier's 'War from the Buttons' has attached many ancillary marketplaces.PARIS -- Launched 1 week apart in France, the 2 "War from the Buttons" movies remain neck-and-neck presents itself the Gallic box office.Modified from Louis Pergaud's classic novel, which lately fell in to the public domain, "Buttons" activates two rival gangs of youngsters from neighboring French towns who wage a cruel play-war against one another.Producer Thomas Langmann's "Buttons," directed by Christophe Barratier ("The Chorus"), was launched Sept. 21 coupled with taken $9.six million by March. 12. Another "Buttons," directed by Yann Samuell and created by Marc Du Pontavice's One World Films ("Gainsbourg"), was launched on Sept. 14 coupled with cumed about $10.six million by March. 12.But as the two "Buttons" have certainly eaten into each other peoples box office potential, Barratier's version appears to become winning the race for ancillary marketplaces.That pic, allocated at roughly $20 million -- about $2.5 million a lot more than its rival -- has obtained a lot more handles local Television channels and worldwide marketers. The Wild Bunch-offered pic also offers achieved positive results from Barratier's mainstream recognition. "The Chorus," that they directed in 2004, would be a major box office hit in France and abroad, generating a flurry of worldwide kudos, including two Oscar nominations. " 'War from the Buttons' is really a large financial success for La Petite Reine (Langmann's outfit) and all sorts of its partners about this film," states Emmanuel Montamat, La Petite Reine's controlling director. Wild Bunch has offered the film to many major European areas including Germany and The country, and it is closing deals for that U.S., U.K. and many of Asia, based on Montamat.La Petite Reine also grabbed a generous minimum guarantee from Mars Distribution, the pic's French distributor, and offered DVD privileges to Gaumont, although figures weren't revealed. When it comes to TV sales, Montamat states the film pre-offered to French commercial internet TF1, which bought two broadcasts, and paybox Canal Plus.Meanwhile, Du Pontavice states his film was acquired by TF1 for just one airing, but has not yet been acquired by Canal Plus. The paybox had formerly declared it can't acquire both photos.But Du Pontavice states he's selected to determine the problem in an optimistic way: "In France They box office is satisfying and we have offered it to almost 15 areas. We believe it is a family comedy which will possess a lengthy existence and prosper in ancillary marketplaces." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com