Austria sets box office admission record

Country breaks the 1 million mark for ticket sales

By ERIK KIRSCHBAUM

'Der Knockenmann'

BERLIN -- Austria broke the 1 million mark for cinema ticket sales for the first time ever this year, crossing the magic barrier with more than two months to spare, Austria's Film Institute said on Thursday.

In a nation of 8 million, Austrians were attracted to local hits including "Echte Wiener -- Die Sackbauer Saga," which sold 370,000 tickets, and "Der Knockenmann," which shifted 260,000 tickets, the org said.

"It's a fantastic success for us," said film institute director Roland Teichmann, adding that there are a number of promising pics still to be released in the final two months of 2009.