Le Pacte
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | November 2007 |
| Founder | Jean Labadie |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Jean Labadie (founder) |
| Products | Film distribution, co-production, global sales, film restoration, home entertainment releases |
| Website | le-pacte |
Le Pacte is a Paris-based French motion picture enterprise focusing on film distribution, co-production ventures, and global sales. Established in November 2007 by Jean Labadie following his exit from BAC Films, it has expanded to become one of France's leading independent distribution companies. In 2019, the firm recorded an unprecedented total of 6.5 million admissions, underscoring its significant influence in the industry.
History
At its inception, Le Pacte's catalogue featured titles such as Hana Makhmalbaf's Buddha Collapsed out of Shame, Ari Folman's Waltz with Bashir, Matteo Garrone's Gomorrah, Christophe Honoré's The Beautiful Person, François Ozon's Ricky, and Jim Jarmusch's The Limits of Control.
Having distributed more than 200 films, Le Pacte collaborates with renowned filmmakers including Ken Loach (I, Daniel Blake, Sorry We Missed You), Arnaud Desplechin (My Golden Days, Oh Mercy!), Hirokazu Kore-eda (Shoplifters, The Truth), Todd Haynes (Dark Waters), Rodrigo Sorogoyen (The Realm, Mother), Jim Jarmusch (Only Lovers Left Alive, Paterson), Nanni Moretti (We Have a Pope, Mia Madre), Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive), Agnès Varda (Faces Places), Thomas Vinterberg (The Commune), Matteo Garrone (Dogman, Tale of Tales), and Bong Joon-ho (Snowpiercer). The company also champions emerging talents such as Ladj Ly (Les Misérables), Sean Baker (The Florida Project), Samir Guesmi (Ibrahim), Carlos Reygadas (Post Tenebras Lux), David Robert Mitchell (Under the Silver Lake), Arthur Harari (Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle), Kornél Mundruczó (Delta), the D'Innocenzo brothers (Bad Tales), and Justine Triet (In Bed with Victoria, Sibyl, Anatomy of a Fall).
In addition to distribution, Le Pacte is engaged in film restoration and home entertainment releases, preserving classics from directors like Federico Fellini (Il bidone, I clowns, Orchestra Rehearsal), Luigi Comencini (The Adventures of Pinocchio), and Jean-François Stévenin (Mischka, Double messieurs, Passe montagne).
Le Pacte participates as a member of the Syndicat des Distributeurs indépendants réunis européens (DIRE), joining forces with fourteen other distributors including Ad Vitam, BAC Films, Capricci, Diaphana, Haut et Court, Les Films du Losange, Memento Distribution, Pyramide Distribution, Rezo Films, SBS Distribution, The Jokers, UFO Distribution, Wild Bunch Distribution, and Zinc.
Academy Awards
- Faces Places, directed by Agnès Varda and JR, received a nomination for Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film in 2017
- The Florida Project, helmed by Sean Baker, earned Willem Dafoe a nomination for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2017
- On Body and Soul, directed by Ildiko Enyedi, was nominated for Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2017
- The Breadwinner, by Nora Twomey, secured a nomination for Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2017
- Shoplifters, under the direction of Hirokazu Kore-eda, received a nomination for Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2018
- Les Misérables, directed by Ladj Ly, was nominated for Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2019
- Anatomy of a Fall, by Justine Triet, won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and garnered nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Film Editing in 2023
Cannes Film Festival
- Timbuktu, directed by Abderrahmane Sissako: Awarded the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and the François Chalais Prize in 2014
- Mia Madre, helmed by Nanni Moretti: Recipient of the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury in 2015
- The Aquatic Effect, by Sólveig Anspach: Honored with the Directors' Fortnight SACD Award in 2016
- I, Daniel Blake, from Ken Loach: Winner of the Palme d'Or in 2016
- Graduation, directed by Cristian Mungiu: Best Director prize in 2016
- Dogman, by Matteo Garrone: Marcello Fonte received Best Actor in 2018
- Shoplifters, under Hirokazu Kore-eda: Palme d'Or laureate in 2018
- Les Misérables, directed by Ladj Ly: Awarded the Jury Prize in 2019
- It Must Be Heaven, by Elia Suleiman: Received a Jury Special Mention in 2019
- Anatomy of a Fall, from Justine Triet: Palme d'Or winner in 2023
César Awards
- Timbuktu, directed by Abderrahmane Sissako: Garnered Best Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Music, Best Sound, and Best Editing in 2015
- Valley of Love, helmed by Guillaume Nicloux: Awarded Best Cinematography in 2015
- The Aquatic Effect, from Sólveig Anspach: Won Best Original Screenplay in 2017
- I, Daniel Blake, directed by Ken Loach: Recognized as Best Foreign Film in 2017
- Shoplifters, under Hirokazu Kore-eda: Received Best Foreign Film in 2019
- Oh Mercy!, by Arnaud Desplechin: Roschdy Zem won Best Actor in 2020
- Les Misérables, directed by Ladj Ly: Secured Best Film, César du public, Most Promising Actor, and Best Editing awards in 2020
- Borgo, helmed by Stéphane Demoustier: Hafsia Herzi honored with Best Actress in 2024
Berlin International Film Festival
- The Commune, directed by Thomas Vinterberg: Trine Dyrholm received the Silver Bear for Best Actress in 2016
- On Body and Soul, from Ildikó Enyedi: Winner of the Golden Bear in 2017
- The Prayer, helmed by Cédric Kahn: Anthony Bajon awarded Silver Bear for Best Actor in 2018
Venice Film Festival
- The Untamed, directed by Amat Escalante: Recipient of the Silver Lion in 2016
- The Truth, from Hirokazu Kore-eda: Selected as the opening film in 2019
Box office
Sources : cbo-boxoffice.com and le-pacte.com
| Rank | Title | Country of Production | Director | Year Released | Domestic Viewership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [[Les Misérables (2019 film)|Les Misérables] | France | Ladj Ly | 2019 | 2,181,860 |
| 2 | [[Anatomy of a Fall] | France | Justine Triet | 2023 | 1,868,352 |
| 3 | [[Drive (2011 film)|Drive] | United States | Nicolas Winding Refn | 2011 | 1,587,898 |
| 4 | [[Minuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants] | France | Thomas Szabo, Hélène Giraud | 2014 | 1,552,713 |
| 5 | [[Irreplaceable (film)|Irreplaceable] | France | Thomas Lilti | 2016 | 1,511,258 |
| 6 | [[Timbuktu (2014 film)|Timbuktu] | Mauritania, France | Abderrahmane Sissako | 2014 | 1,260,760 |
| 7 | Première Année | France | Thomas Lilti | 2018 | 1,014,821 |
| 8 | [[I, Daniel Blake] | United Kingdom | Ken Loach | 2016 | 955,737 |
| 9 | [[Hippocrate] | France | Thomas Lilti | 2014 | 954,723 |
| 10 | [[Rebels (film)|Rebels] | France | Allan Mauduit | 2019 | 925,503 |
Selected filmography
Le Pacte's portfolio features a wide array of distinguished films, such as:
- 2008: The Beautiful Person directed by Christophe Honoré
- 2009: Ricky from François Ozon
- 2010: On Tour by Mathieu Amalric
- 2011: We Have a Pope helmed by Nanni Moretti
- 2011: Chicken with Plums, a collaboration between Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud
- 2011: Beloved, another work by Christophe Honoré
- 2012: Reality directed by Matteo Garrone
- 2012: The Angels' Share from Ken Loach
- 2013: Snowpiercer by Bong Joon-ho
- 2013: Diana, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel
- 2014: Timbuktu from Abderrahmane Sissako
- 2014: Hippocrate helmed by Thomas Lilti
- 2014: Minuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants, directed by Thomas Szabo and Hélène Giraud
- 2014: The Salt of the Earth by Win Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado
- 2014: The Zero Theorem, a creation of Terry Gilliam
- 2014: Maps to the Stars directed by David Cronenberg
- 2015: Valley of Love, from Guillaume Nicloux
- 2015: Mia Madre by Nanni Moretti
- 2015: The Brand New Testament, directed by Jaco Van Dormael
- 2015: Tale of Tales from Matteo Garrone
- 2015: My Golden Days, helmed by Arnaud Desplechin
- 2016: Irreplaceable directed by Thomas Lilti
- 2016: I, Daniel Blake from Ken Loach
- 2016: Paterson, a work of Jim Jarmusch
- 2016: The Neon Demon directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
- 2017: Faces Places, a collaboration between Agnès Varda and JR
- 2017: Mr. & Mrs. Adelman from Nicolas Bedos
- 2018: Première Année, directed by Thomas Lilti
- 2018: An Impossible Love from Catherine Corsini
- 2018: Place publique, helmed by Agnès Jaoui
- 2019: Les Misérables, directed by Ladj Ly
- 2019: Sorry We Missed You, a film by Ken Loach
- 2019: Pinocchio from Matteo Garrone, distributed on Amazon Prime Video as a response to the COVID-19 crisis
- 2020: DNA, directed by Maïwenn
- 2021: Deception, a work of Arnaud Desplechin
- 2021: Three Floors, helmed by Nanni Moretti
- 2022: Both Brother and Sister and The Beasts, directed respectively by Arnaud Desplechin and Rodrigo Sorogoyen
- 2023: Anatomy of a Fall from Justine Triet, alongside Jeanne du Barry, directed by Maïwenn
- Upcoming releases include Stéphane Demoustier's and Arnaud Desplechin's projects, respectively titled Borgo (2024) and Deux pianos (2025)
This curated list underscores Le Pacte’s dedication to auteur cinema and its strategic role in presenting internationally acclaimed films with strong artistic vision.
International cinema
Le Pacte oversaw the French distribution of several prominent international films that were not French co-productions, such as:
- 2008: Gomorrah (Italy), directed by Matteo Garrone
- 2008: Bronson (UK), directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
- 2009: Rec 2 (Spain), directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza
- 2010: Exit Through the Gift Shop (UK), directed by Banksy
- 2010: Jack Goes Boating (US), directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman
- 2011: Drive (US), directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
- 2011: The Yellow Sea (South Korea), directed by Na Hong-jin
- 2012: I Wish (Japan), directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda
- 2012: Rec 3: Genesis (Spain), directed by Paco Plaza
- 2013: Like Father, Like Son (Japan), directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda
- 2013: Seven Psychopaths (UK/US), directed by Martin McDonagh
- 2014: Rec 4: Apocalypse (Spain), directed by Jaume Balagueró
- 2014: The Raid 2 (Indonesia/US), directed by Gareth Evans
- 2014: Only Lovers Left Alive (UK/Germany), directed by Jim Jarmusch
- 2015: Marshland (Spain), directed by Alberto Rodriguez
- 2015: Lost River (US), directed by Ryan Gosling
- 2015: The Voices (US/Germany), directed by Marjane Satrapi
- 2017: The Commune (Denmark), directed by Thomas Vinterberg
- 2017: The Florida Project (US), directed by Sean Baker
- 2017: May God Save Us (Spain), directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen
- 2018: Shoplifters (Japan), directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda
- 2018: Under the Silver Lake (US), directed by David Robert Mitchell
- 2018: Dogman (Italy), directed by Matteo Garrone
- 2019: Dark Waters (US), directed by Todd Haynes
- 2021: Flag Day (US), directed by Sean Penn
- 2022: Red Rocket (US), directed by Sean Baker
Upcoming titles slated for release include:
- 2024: Megalopolis, US, helmed by Francis Ford Coppola
- 2024: Anora, US, under the direction of Sean Baker
- 2024: The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, US, directed by Pete Browngardt
- 2024: Heretic, US, from directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods