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Philip Wyndham Ashley Knatchbull (born 2 December 1961) is a British entrepreneur, film executive and film producer.[1] He was CEO of Curzon Cinemas[2] from 2006 to 2023, helping it become one of the UK’s leading independent film distributors and cinema chains.[3]
Early life
editPhilip Knatchbull's father, John Brabourne, was a film producer with credits including A Passage to India and Murder on the Orient Express.[4][5][6] 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.[4]
Career
editKnatchbull initially worked in private equity[6] 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.[4]
Curzon
editIn 2006, Knatchbull became the CEO of Curzon Cinemas after completing the acquisition of Curzon and the independent film distributor Artificial Eye.[3][4] He integrated Curzon Cinemas, Curzon Film and Curzon Home Cinema under a single brand,[3][6] creating a vertically integrated business that encompassed cinema exhibitions, film distribution, and video-on-demand services.[4]
When Knatchbull took over, Curzon operated just two venues. Under his leadership, the company expanded to 20 venues[3] 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.[3]
In 2010, Knatchbull launched Curzon Home Cinema, a streaming platform that allowed films to be released online the same day they premiered in cinemas.[1][3] This "day-and-date" release strategy was ground-breaking and drew significant backlash from traditional cinema chains.[4] 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.[4]
Knatchbull was a vocal critic of the industry’s strict 16-week theatrical release window,[5] which he described as "madness".[6] In 2019, he wrote an open letter calling for more flexibility in release schedules, emphasising the importance of customer choice in a digital age.[2]
In 2023, after 17 years, Knatchbull stepped down as CEO of Curzon.[3]
Industry recognition
editCurzon received a BAFTA in 2017 for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema,[4] reflecting the company’s influence under Knatchbull’s leadership. Notably, the company’s distribution arm released the Oscar-winning Korean film Parasite in 2019,[5] which became the highest-grossing subtitled film in UK box office history.[7]
Filmography
editKnatchbull 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
edit- ^ a b Barraclough, Leo (2010-03-03). "Curzon, BSkyB team on 'Wartime'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ a b 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) - ^ a b c d e f g Ravindran, Manori (2023-06-08). "Curzon CEO Philip Knatchbull Exits After 17 Years at U.K. Arthouse Distributor". Variety. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Armitage, Jim (2017-03-24). "The Curzon boss leading the revolution in the world of cinema". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ a b c Hancock, Alice (2020-10-25). "Curzon cinema boss calls for theatres to embrace streaming". Financial Times. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ a b c d 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.