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Philip Wyndham Ashley Knatchbull (born 2 December 1961) is a British entrepreneur, film executive and film producer. He was CEO of Curzon Cinemas from 2006 to 2023, helping it become one of the UK’s leading independent film distributors and cinema chains.
Early life
Philip Knatchbull's father, John Brabourne, was a film producer with credits including A Passage to India and Murder on the Orient Express. Knatchbull's early exposure to the world of cinema led him to pursue a career in the industry. He is also a grandson of Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma.
Career
Knatchbull initially worked in private equity and was involved in a variety of technology and media ventures, including an internet news feed, an online music business, and a French internet service provider. His early experiences shaped his understanding of the digital landscape, which would later influence his approach to the cinema industry.
Curzon
In 2006, Knatchbull became the CEO of Curzon Cinemas after completing the acquisition of Curzon and the independent film distributor Artificial Eye. He integrated Curzon Cinemas, Curzon Film and Curzon Home Cinema under a single brand, creating a vertically integrated business that encompassed cinema exhibitions, film distribution, and video-on-demand services.
When Knatchbull took over, Curzon operated just two venues. Under his leadership, the company expanded to 20 venues across the UK, increasing its presence and influence in the independent cinema sector. His efforts saw Curzon Film grow into a leading independent distributor, responsible for releasing over 400 films, including eight Palme d’Or winners such as Triangle of Sadness, The Square and Blue is the warmest colour.
In 2010, Knatchbull launched Curzon Home Cinema, a streaming platform that allowed films to be released online the same day they premiered in cinemas. This "day-and-date" release strategy was ground-breaking and drew significant backlash from traditional cinema chains. However, it proved successful, particularly with the 2015 release of 45 Years, which grossed £1.8 million at the UK box office while also being available for £10 on Curzon Home Cinema.
Knatchbull was a vocal critic of the industry’s strict 16-week theatrical release window, which he described as "madness". In 2019, he wrote an open letter calling for more flexibility in release schedules, emphasising the importance of customer choice in a digital age.
In 2023, after 17 years, Knatchbull stepped down as CEO of Curzon.
Industry recognition
Curzon received a BAFTA in 2017 for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema, reflecting the company’s influence under Knatchbull’s leadership. Notably, the company’s distribution arm released the Oscar-winning Korean film Parasite in 2019, which became the highest-grossing subtitled film in UK box office history.
Filmography
Knatchbull has also worked as a producer and executive producer on several films, including:
- Paul McCartney’s Get Back (1991) - Producer
- 45 Years (2015) - Executive Producer
- Le Weekend (2013) - Executive Producer
- Williams (2017) - Executive Producer
- Merkel (2022) - Executive Producer
- Kneecap (2024) - Executive Producer
References
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (2010-03-03). "Curzon, BSkyB team on 'Wartime'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Grater2019-02-21T11:38:00+00:00, Tom. "Curzon CEO responds to Vue/Bafta row, calls for end to "strict limitations" of theatrical windows". Screen. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Ravindran, Manori (2023-06-08). "Curzon CEO Philip Knatchbull Exits After 17 Years at U.K. Arthouse Distributor". Variety. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Armitage, Jim (2017-03-24). "The Curzon boss leading the revolution in the world of cinema". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Hancock, Alice (2020-10-25). "Curzon cinema boss calls for theatres to embrace streaming". Financial Times. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Spanier, Gideon (2014-04-23). "Curtain up on next stage of the Curzon story". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- Scott, Sheena. "'Parasite' Has The Biggest Post-Oscars Boost In U.K. Box Office". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-08-27.