Record-breaking French comedy set to sink "Titanic"

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — A French comedy targeting prejudice against the country's north has smashed box-office records to become France's most successful film ever and could be set to sink US blockbuster "Titanic" as all-time French champion.

"Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis" ("Welcome to the Land of the Ch'tis") has pulled in more than 17.4 million viewers since its release February 27, the film's producer and distributor, Pathe, said Monday.

The previous record for a home-grown box-office hit was the classic 1966 comedy "La Grande Vadrouille" starring Louis de Funes, which was seen by 17.3 million people.

"This is fantastic," said Pathe's head of distribition Henri Demoulin.

"Now we can steam ahead and sink the boat," he said in reference to "Titanic", the most...