Russian comedy The Very Best Film (Samiy Luchshiy Film) claimed the international crown this weekend with a mammoth $17.8m opening weekend in two territories, accounting for 9% of the international top 40 revenue.

For the full international chart, compiled by Len Klady, go to Global Box Office.

The parody, distributed through Caroprokat, enjoyed a colossal $16.5m opening in Russia, marking the biggest ever opening for a film in the country. It also generated $1.3m in the Ukraine, where it is distributed through Gemini Films.

Overall, the film played across 790 screens in the two territories for a whopping $22,562 screen average. It is directed by Kirill Kuzin and stars Pavel Volya, Igor Kharlamov and Mikhail Galustyan. The story follows a young man who suffers a mishap at his own wedding and winds up in Purgatory where he has to answer for all of the sins he committed throughout his over-indulgent life.

Meanwhile, new Italian film Scusa Ma Ti Chiamo Amore came in at number six with a $7.5m take across 491 screens in its home territory. The romance, distributed through Medusa Film, had the second highest screen average this weekend at $15,377 per screen. It is directed by Federico Moccia and stars Raoul Bova and Luca Angeletti.

Three films from Spain generated more than $8m at the weekend, representing 4.8% of the top 40 revenue. This was spearheaded by new entry Mortadelo Y Filemon: Mision. Salvar La Tierra, which enjoyed a $4.2m take across 484 screens for a $8,656 screen average in the territory. The family film, directed by Miguel Bardem (Twelfth Night), is distributed locally through On Pictures.

Thinkfilm's The Oxford Murders, based on the novel by Guillermo Martinez, fell 22% to number 24 with a $2.5m take from 267 screens. The thriller has grossed $6.6m after two weekends on release. And Wild Bunch's production The Orphanage leapt back into the chart this weekend after opening in Argentina and Columbia. The horror film was up 164% with a near $2m take across 424 screens in six territories. It boasts a $41m international tally to date.

Two new Japanese films also entered the chart this weekend, taking nearly $4m between them. Toho's Flowers In The Shadow made $2.3m from 312 screens and came in second in its home territory. Shochiku's latest release Our Mother (Kabei) was fourth in the Japanese chart, taking more than $1.5m from 326 screens for a $4,761 screen average. The two films accounted for 2.1% of the top 40 total.

Indian cinema showed its international colours this weekend with new entry Sunday, which came in at number 30. The romantic comedy, released through Eros International, generated $1.7m across 15 territories and played on 455 screens for a $3,808 screen average. It is the third feature from director Rohit Shetty (Gomaal: Fun Unlimited, Zameen).

German release Die Rote Zora opened to number 37 with a $1.1m take. The family adventure, distributed by Universal Pictures International (UPI) in conjunction with United International Pictures (UIP), played on 392 screens for a $2,874 screen average. And Warner Bros' holdover title Keinohrhasen continues its lucrative stride with a $3.6m weekend take. The romantic comedy, directed by Til Schweiger (who also stars in the film), fell a modest 27% to number 21 in its sixth weekend. It has grossed $41.3m to date.

And British hit St Trinian's is still going strong in the international chart despite having only been released in the UK. The Ealing Studios production, directed by Oliver Parker and Barnaby Thompson, fell by just 20% in its sixth weekend, taking $1.3m over the weekend from 384 screens. It boasts a $22.4m international tally.

Elsewhere, Rob Reiner's new film The Bucket List opened in seven territories including Germany, Italy and Mexico with a near $5m weekend take while Sylvester Stallone's newest Rambo instalment opened in 10 territories with a $3.6m take.

The top 40 films generated $182.7m across 44,113 screens for the period of January 25-27.