Samuel Hadida, highly regarded French producer and distributor, and a good friend of mine in my distributors days, passed away unexpectedly Monday November 26^th at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital following a short illness, announced his brother Victor.  For many years Samuel and Victor have owned and managed Metropolitan FilmExport, the leading French distributor of American indie fare they had founded with their father David.

            In producing circles, Samuel was best known for his collaborations with director Tony Scott on TRUE ROMANCE and DOMINO, his collaboration with Constantin Film on the RESIDENT EVIL pictures, the SILENT HILL productions, and more recently, with Claude Lelouch on UN+UNE and THE BEST YEARS (upcoming sequel to the Oscar winning A MAN AND A WOMAN).

Samuel Hadida was a well-known and much liked figure on the international film scene, ever present at film markets and all festivals for decades.

While grieving the unexpected loss of his beloved brother, Victor Hadida said, “Sammy’s passion and humor were infectious and his larger than life presence will certainly be missed. We are committed to honoring his life by bringing to fruition the numerous development projects under the Davis Films banner that Samuel so loved as well as the upcoming productions that were so important to him.”

In the world of independent film distribution, Metropolitan has long been recognized for its strong support of top directors (including Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Terence Malick, Tony Scott, Roger Avary, Christophe Gans and Claude Lelouch among others), and its top marketing and original release campaigns that were often picked up by other distributors around the world. 

Metropolitan has had long term output arrangements over the years with such distinguished companies as New Line Cinema (including the enormously successful LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy), Lionsgate (including the HUNGER GAMES pictures), and DreamWorks.  Metropolitan also licenses top commercial and critically-acclaimed films from diverse licensors throughout the industry.

In addition to his brother, Samuel is survived by his wife, Maryse Claire, their three grown children, Laurent Audrey and Aurelie and one grandchild, Sasha.

Arrangements are pending.