The latest film from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, Talk To Her (Hable Con Ella), has seen a strong launch in international territories outside its homeland. Opening in France this week for Pathe Distribution, the film, which was produced by El Deseo, sold an impressive 355,412 tickets, equivalent to $1.7m, in five days from 268 screens. Taking third position in the French chart and boasting a screen average of 1,326 admissions, the film rivalled first placed Le Boulet's average of 1,385 admissions per print.

The French-speaking region of Switzerland also received the film which claimed eighth place with a four-day weekend gross of $89,014. Playing on just seven screens the drama's mighty average of $12,716 outperformed all other films in the country's top 25 and nearly doubled the average for first placed US hit Ice Age ($6,475). The film is handled by Monopole Pathe in Switzerland and opens in the German-speaking region on August 15.

Although not performing quite as strongly in Spain as Almodovar's last film, best foreign-language picture Oscar winner All About My Mother (Todo Sobre Mi Madre), Talk To Her has still performed solidly at home. After five weeks on release the film, which is distributed by Warner Sogefilms, has grossed $3.8m, compared to approximately $4.7m taken by All About My Mother, also Warner Sogefilms, after its first five weeks in 1999.

The territories chosen to launch the film's international roll-out are no coincidence. 'Spain, Italy and France are three very important territories for us because these are the markets where Pedro's films are most consumed,' explained El Deseo executive producer Agustin Almodovar. 'Pedro isn't seen in these territories in the arthouse circuit - his films are anticipated like major blockbusters.'

With a three week take of $2.6m in Italy prospects look strong for the film which opens in Germany and the UK in August. All About My Mother grossed $18.9m from international territories and $8.3m in the US.

International sales for Talk To Her are handled by Good Machine International.

Additional reporting by Jennifer Green