After plotting an IPO that did not occur, the venerable French studio by Jérôme Pathé de Jérôme Seydoux is welcoming a new shareholder, Rodolphe Saadé, a billionaire of French delivery of France.
Saadé also directs CMA CGM, the third largest container wedding company in the world, which has also recently launched 10% of the second largest sales network in France M6, and the daily La Provence newspaper, and invested in Brut, the influential digital media publisher who has become one of the main partners of the Cannes Festival.
Pathé has just spent a record year with “The Count of Monte Cristo” which was the second greatest success of the box office in 2024 in France, and is in Cannes with the opening evening film, “Leaving One Day”, the first feature film by Amelie Bonnin, as well as the thriller by Martin Bourboulon “13 days, 13 nights”.
The company, led by Ardavan Safaee, has increased its production of ambitious films adapted to theaters, and has opened premium sites in several places. The company is at the origin of the largest cinema chain in France and also operates in Africa with plans to extend the scope of its activity there. The fact that Saadé’s outfit on board will give them the financial muscle to continue to finance big budget films like “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “The Three Mousquetters”. Pathé also has a co -production of three years and a co -financing agreement with logical images in place since 2023 to finance its pipeline and limit the risk.
“In a rapid macroeconomic and industrial environment that offers many opportunities, this transaction aims to give Pathé the means to accelerate its development, in particular in the production of films and series with an international orientation, and in the modernization of its cinema network to offer its customers an innovative joint and innovative experience in Europe,” said Pathe and Saaddé in a joint declaration. Pathé refused to give financial details on the agreement.
Seydoux said that “the arrival of the Saadé family as a partner will accelerate the development and modernization of Pathé”.
“This will also allow us to continue working with the talented people we appreciate and to seek those who share our ambitions and who want to succeed,” continued Seydoux.
Saadé, meanwhile, described Pathé as a “main brand for cinema enthusiasts in France and in the world”.
“We are committed to contributing to the development of the sector and to promote the culture of French cinema worldwide,” continued Saadé.
