Cinema International Corporation
| File:Cinema International Corporation logo.svg | |
| Company type | Joint-venture |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1970 |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Fate | United Artists International merged with it to create United International Pictures |
| Successor | United International Pictures |
| Products | Film distribution |
| Owner |
* Paramount Pictures* Universal Pictures |
| Divisions | CIC Video |
Cinema International Corporation (CIC) was established in 1971 as a collaborative venture between Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures to manage their film distribution outside the United States, including early Canadian operations. Throughout the 1970s, CIC emerged as a dominant force in distributing American films worldwide. In 1981, it combined with United Artists' international divisions to form United International Pictures, representing a significant industry consolidation.
Overview
The relationship between Paramount and MCA dates back to the 1950s, involving shared talent agreements and acquisition of film libraries. MCA acquired Universal Pictures in 1962, while Gulf+Western took ownership of Paramount in 1966. Paramount had previously sought to merge its international distribution with 20th Century Fox to cut costs but was unsuccessful.
In 1970, Gulf+Western chairman Charles Bludhorn and MCA-Universal’s Lew Wasserman agreed to consolidate their studios' international distribution under CIC, which was incorporated in the Netherlands for tax advantages but operated from London. Henri Michaud and Arthur Abeles were appointed as co-chairmen. Initially, CIC's operations encompassed Europe, South America, and South Africa.
The scope of CIC expanded considerably in 1973 when Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer closed its own international distribution offices and entered into a decade-long agreement with CIC for overseas film distribution. This alliance also resulted in joint ownership of South African theater operator Film Trust through Cinitrust, strengthening CIC's exhibition market presence. By 1975, CIC was active in 47 countries and handled approximately 40% of Hollywood’s international film output. Subsequently, Warner Bros. International partnered with CIC for overseas distribution and cinema management.
CIC extended its reach into home video through its subsidiary CIC Video, distributing titles from Paramount and Universal globally. Meanwhile, MGM maintained an independent home video division before partnering with CBS to form MGM/CBS Home Video.
After MGM acquired United Artists in 1981, CIC merged with UA's international operations, creating United International Pictures—a move that unified major Hollywood studios' global distribution channels. At that time, CIC ranked among the two largest film distributors within the British Isles.
The CIC brand continued through its video division until 1999 when Universal’s acquisition of PolyGram Filmed Entertainment led to restructuring of its video units. Subsequently, Paramount assumed full ownership of CIC Video and integrated it into its home entertainment division.
Moreover, during the 1970s through the mid-1980s, CIC handled theatrical distribution of Disney films in selected territories such as Italy, Brazil, and West Germany before those rights transitioned to UIP.
Controversy
The operations carried out by CIC have been criticized for potentially restricting competition and may have breached U.S. antitrust regulations.
In 2012, Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures became the center of a dispute regarding the ownership of director William Friedkin's film, Sorcerer. Both studios asserted that they had transferred the rights to CIC, which subsequently dissolved, creating uncertainty over the film's domestic theatrical rights and royalty payments. Friedkin initiated legal action against the studios to resolve questions about ownership and royalties, with a trial scheduled for March 2013 if no agreement was reached. Nevertheless, Friedkin withdrew the lawsuit that same month after reaching an agreement with a "major studio" (later identified as Warner Bros.) to create a recolored digital version of Sorcerer for presentation at the Venice Film Festival and for release on Blu-ray:
See also
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- Mass media companies disestablished in 1981
- Film distributors of the United States
- Universal Pictures
- Paramount Pictures
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Mass media companies established in 1970
- 1970 establishments in the United States
- American companies disestablished in 1981
- American companies established in 1970
- Gulf and Western Industries
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment