Florian Gallenberger, the director behind “John Rabe,” a historical drama about the Nanking Massacre in China, and “Colonia,” a political thriller set in Chile against the backdrop of the 1973 military coup, has made his first comedy.
“It’s Just a Phase, Honey,” which had its world premiere at the Zurich Film Festival, offers a hilarious look at a married couple, played by Christoph Maria Herbst and Christiane Paul, who, in the midst of a mid-life crisis, attempt a trial separation.
The film is an adaptation of Maxim Leo and Jochen-Martin Gutsch’s bestseller, which comprises 25 short, unconnected anecdotes. Gallenberger and co-writer Malte Welding had to create a major plotline that included the various scenes of the book.
“We had to and did take some liberties with the novel in order to make it into one story instead of 25 little funny moments,” Gallenberger explains.
Poking fun at the near-50 crowd, the...
“It’s Just a Phase, Honey,” which had its world premiere at the Zurich Film Festival, offers a hilarious look at a married couple, played by Christoph Maria Herbst and Christiane Paul, who, in the midst of a mid-life crisis, attempt a trial separation.
The film is an adaptation of Maxim Leo and Jochen-Martin Gutsch’s bestseller, which comprises 25 short, unconnected anecdotes. Gallenberger and co-writer Malte Welding had to create a major plotline that included the various scenes of the book.
“We had to and did take some liberties with the novel in order to make it into one story instead of 25 little funny moments,” Gallenberger explains.
Poking fun at the near-50 crowd, the...
- 9/30/2021
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Indie titles hoping to capitalise on blockbuster absence.
UK-Ireland, opening Friday August 14
Picturehouse Entertainment heads the new titles this weekend with Shannon Murphy’s Australian comedy-drama Babyteeth in 140 locations.
The debut feature of theatre and TV drama director Murphy played in Competition at Venice last year, where Toby Wallace won the Marcello Mastroianni award for emerging actor/actress. It most recently won the top prize at the 19th Transylvania International Film Festival last weekend.
Adapted by Rita Kalnejais from her stage play of the same name, the film centres on Milla (Eliza Scanlen), a seriously ill teenager, who falls in...
UK-Ireland, opening Friday August 14
Picturehouse Entertainment heads the new titles this weekend with Shannon Murphy’s Australian comedy-drama Babyteeth in 140 locations.
The debut feature of theatre and TV drama director Murphy played in Competition at Venice last year, where Toby Wallace won the Marcello Mastroianni award for emerging actor/actress. It most recently won the top prize at the 19th Transylvania International Film Festival last weekend.
Adapted by Rita Kalnejais from her stage play of the same name, the film centres on Milla (Eliza Scanlen), a seriously ill teenager, who falls in...
- 8/14/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦¬158¦Martin Blaney¦40¦¬1101325¦Gabriele Niola¦35¦
- ScreenDaily
American director returns to festival for fifth time.
American director Oliver Stone will attend this year’s Zurich Film Festival (September 26 – October 6) as president of the jury.
He will be joined on the International Competition jury by Colombian director Ciro Guerra, Italian director Laura Bispuri, German actor Sebastian Koch, and Swiss producer Tiziana Soudani.
Zurich’s International Documentary Film Competition will this year be chaired by British producer Simon Chinn. He will be joined by American producer Stephen Nemeth, Swiss director Anja Kofmel, French director Maryam Goormaghtigh, and Swiss documentary filmmaker Christian Frei.
The Focus Competition, which selects first, second or third features from Switzerland,...
American director Oliver Stone will attend this year’s Zurich Film Festival (September 26 – October 6) as president of the jury.
He will be joined on the International Competition jury by Colombian director Ciro Guerra, Italian director Laura Bispuri, German actor Sebastian Koch, and Swiss producer Tiziana Soudani.
Zurich’s International Documentary Film Competition will this year be chaired by British producer Simon Chinn. He will be joined by American producer Stephen Nemeth, Swiss director Anja Kofmel, French director Maryam Goormaghtigh, and Swiss documentary filmmaker Christian Frei.
The Focus Competition, which selects first, second or third features from Switzerland,...
- 8/29/2019
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov has been sentenced to 20 years in a verdict passed today (Aug 25) by a military court in Russia’s Rostov-on-Don.
His co-defendant, the activist and anti-fascist Alexander Kolchenko, was sentenced to 10 years.
The judge found Sentsov guilty of setting up a terrorist organisation and committing two terrorist acts.
When asked by the presiding judge Sergei Mikhailyuk whether they understood the verdicts, Sentsov and Kolchenko responded by defiantly singing the Ukrainian national anthem Ukraine Has Not Yet Died.
Sentsov, best known for his 2011 film Gamer, was arrested in May 2014 during a protest against Russia’s annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula two months earlier.
The 39-year-old director was accused of plotting to blow up a monument to Lenin in Crimea and set fire to the Crimean offices of pro-Moscow political organisations.
The Ukrainian government said he is being punished for being a Crimea-based pro-Ukrainian activist. Russia denies claims he is a political prisoner.
Sentsov denies...
His co-defendant, the activist and anti-fascist Alexander Kolchenko, was sentenced to 10 years.
The judge found Sentsov guilty of setting up a terrorist organisation and committing two terrorist acts.
When asked by the presiding judge Sergei Mikhailyuk whether they understood the verdicts, Sentsov and Kolchenko responded by defiantly singing the Ukrainian national anthem Ukraine Has Not Yet Died.
Sentsov, best known for his 2011 film Gamer, was arrested in May 2014 during a protest against Russia’s annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula two months earlier.
The 39-year-old director was accused of plotting to blow up a monument to Lenin in Crimea and set fire to the Crimean offices of pro-Moscow political organisations.
The Ukrainian government said he is being punished for being a Crimea-based pro-Ukrainian activist. Russia denies claims he is a political prisoner.
Sentsov denies...
- 8/25/2015
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Principal photography has all but wrapped up on the production of Florian Gallenberger’s Colonia and to celebrate, the studio has unveiled a new image for the period drama that sees stars Emma Watson and Daniel Brühl on the run.
Situated in the midst of the harrowing Chilean military coup of 1973, the film will follow Watson and Brühl’s young couple, Lena and Daniel, who inadvertently find themselves in the thick of the conflict. When Daniel is abducted by the covert, corrupt police force of General Pinochet, it’s up to Lena to track down her significant other — a valiant and brave venture that will lead her to an infamous anti-communist area of the country.
Joining Brühl and Watson for the drama is Mikael Nyqvist, who starred as shamed journalist Mikael Blomkvist in the Swedish rendition of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. In this case, he will step into...
Situated in the midst of the harrowing Chilean military coup of 1973, the film will follow Watson and Brühl’s young couple, Lena and Daniel, who inadvertently find themselves in the thick of the conflict. When Daniel is abducted by the covert, corrupt police force of General Pinochet, it’s up to Lena to track down her significant other — a valiant and brave venture that will lead her to an infamous anti-communist area of the country.
Joining Brühl and Watson for the drama is Mikael Nyqvist, who starred as shamed journalist Mikael Blomkvist in the Swedish rendition of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. In this case, he will step into...
- 1/15/2015
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Florian Gallenberger’s thriller is set during the Chilean military coup of 1973.
Florian Gallenberger’s Colonia, starring Emma Watson and Daniel Brühl has wrapped principal photography after 47 days of shooting in Luxembourg, Munich, Berlin and South America.
It marks Watson’s first lead role since Harry Potter. Alongside Brühl and Mikael Nyqvist, the supporting cast includes Richenda Carey, Vicky Krieps, Julian Ovenden, August Zirner and Martin Wuttke.
The film tells the story of Lena (Watson) and Daniel (Brühl), a young couple, who become entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973.
When Daniel is abducted by Pinochet’s secret police, Lena tracks him to a sealed off area in the South of the country, called Colonia Dignidad. The Colonia presents itself as a charitable mission run by lay preacher Paul Schäfer (Nyqvist) but, in fact, is a place nobody ever escaped from. Lena decides to join the cult in order to find Daniel.
Benjamin Herrmann produced...
Florian Gallenberger’s Colonia, starring Emma Watson and Daniel Brühl has wrapped principal photography after 47 days of shooting in Luxembourg, Munich, Berlin and South America.
It marks Watson’s first lead role since Harry Potter. Alongside Brühl and Mikael Nyqvist, the supporting cast includes Richenda Carey, Vicky Krieps, Julian Ovenden, August Zirner and Martin Wuttke.
The film tells the story of Lena (Watson) and Daniel (Brühl), a young couple, who become entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973.
When Daniel is abducted by Pinochet’s secret police, Lena tracks him to a sealed off area in the South of the country, called Colonia Dignidad. The Colonia presents itself as a charitable mission run by lay preacher Paul Schäfer (Nyqvist) but, in fact, is a place nobody ever escaped from. Lena decides to join the cult in order to find Daniel.
Benjamin Herrmann produced...
- 1/15/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Emma Watson, Daniel Brühl, Mikael Nyqvist star in thriller.
Beta Cinema has picked up sales to director Florian Gallenberger’s anticipated thriller Colonia starring Emma Watson, Daniel Brühl and Mikael Nyqvist.
Production outfit Majestic are currently shooting in Germany and will move to South America later this year.
The film is due for release in October 2015.
“Florian’s script is a real page turner and the first rushes are more than promising. We can’t wait to introduce the film to buyers at this week’s Afm,“ stated Beta Cinema’s Dirk Schürhoff.
UTA Independent Film Group will be co-representing domestic rights.
Producer Benjamin Herrmann commented: “The combined powers of Beta Cinema and UTA are perfect for this suspense-filled international thriller, which is inspired by true events. We are excited to be working together on Colonia”.
Gallenberger’s script, co-written with Torsten Wenzel, tells the story of Lena (Emma Watson) and Daniel (Daniel Brühl), a young couple...
Beta Cinema has picked up sales to director Florian Gallenberger’s anticipated thriller Colonia starring Emma Watson, Daniel Brühl and Mikael Nyqvist.
Production outfit Majestic are currently shooting in Germany and will move to South America later this year.
The film is due for release in October 2015.
“Florian’s script is a real page turner and the first rushes are more than promising. We can’t wait to introduce the film to buyers at this week’s Afm,“ stated Beta Cinema’s Dirk Schürhoff.
UTA Independent Film Group will be co-representing domestic rights.
Producer Benjamin Herrmann commented: “The combined powers of Beta Cinema and UTA are perfect for this suspense-filled international thriller, which is inspired by true events. We are excited to be working together on Colonia”.
Gallenberger’s script, co-written with Torsten Wenzel, tells the story of Lena (Emma Watson) and Daniel (Daniel Brühl), a young couple...
- 11/6/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Four producers on Stephen Hopkins’ Jesse Owens biopic Race have joined forces to produce English-language features in the future for the international market.
Jean-Charles Lévy, sports entrepreneur Luc Dayan, Karsten Brünig and Thierry Potok are partners in the Berlin-based production house Trinity Race GmbH, which has served as the German producer on Race.
The film wraps principal photography in the German capital’s historic Olympic Stadium on Sunday. Stephan James plays Owens.
Trinity’s partners on the $31.6m German-Canadian co-production are Lévy’s Forecast Pictures, Dayan’s ID+, Kate Garwood and Hopkins’ Totally Commercial Films, and Canadian producers Louis-Philippe Rochon and Dominique Séguin of Solofilms.
David Garrett’s Mister Smith Entertainment is handling international distribution and now only has sales deal pending for Japan, France and the UK. Square One Entertainment will distribute theatrically in Germany and eOne in Canada. Focus Features will release the film in the Us.
“Originally, it had been...
Jean-Charles Lévy, sports entrepreneur Luc Dayan, Karsten Brünig and Thierry Potok are partners in the Berlin-based production house Trinity Race GmbH, which has served as the German producer on Race.
The film wraps principal photography in the German capital’s historic Olympic Stadium on Sunday. Stephan James plays Owens.
Trinity’s partners on the $31.6m German-Canadian co-production are Lévy’s Forecast Pictures, Dayan’s ID+, Kate Garwood and Hopkins’ Totally Commercial Films, and Canadian producers Louis-Philippe Rochon and Dominique Séguin of Solofilms.
David Garrett’s Mister Smith Entertainment is handling international distribution and now only has sales deal pending for Japan, France and the UK. Square One Entertainment will distribute theatrically in Germany and eOne in Canada. Focus Features will release the film in the Us.
“Originally, it had been...
- 10/1/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Thriller marks Emma Watson’s first lead role since Harry Potter.
Pincipal photography is about to begin on thriller Colonia, from German director Florian Gallenberger (John Rabe).
The film stars Emma Watson in her first lead role since the Harry Potter franchise and Daniel Brühl, the German star of Rush and The Face of an Angel.
The film will shoot in Luxembourg, Munich, Berlin and South America, until the end of the year.
Colonia tells the story of Lena and Daniel, a young couple, who become entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973.
Daniel is abducted by Pinochet’s secret police and Lena tracks him to a sealed off area in the South of the country, called Colonia Dignidad.
The Colonia presents itself as a charitable mission run by lay preacher Paul Schäfer but, in fact, is a place nobody ever escaped from. Lena decides to join the cult in order to find Daniel.
Gallenberger is directing...
Pincipal photography is about to begin on thriller Colonia, from German director Florian Gallenberger (John Rabe).
The film stars Emma Watson in her first lead role since the Harry Potter franchise and Daniel Brühl, the German star of Rush and The Face of an Angel.
The film will shoot in Luxembourg, Munich, Berlin and South America, until the end of the year.
Colonia tells the story of Lena and Daniel, a young couple, who become entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973.
Daniel is abducted by Pinochet’s secret police and Lena tracks him to a sealed off area in the South of the country, called Colonia Dignidad.
The Colonia presents itself as a charitable mission run by lay preacher Paul Schäfer but, in fact, is a place nobody ever escaped from. Lena decides to join the cult in order to find Daniel.
Gallenberger is directing...
- 9/29/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Thriller marks Emma Watson’s first lead role since Harry Potter.
Pincipal photography is about to begin on thriller Colonia, from German director Florian Gallenberger (John Rabe).
The film stars Emma Watson in her first lead role since the Harry Potter franchise and Daniel Brühl, the German star of Rush and The Face of an Angel.
The film will shoot in Luxembourg, Munich, Berlin and South America, until the end of the year.
Colonia tells the story of Lena and Daniel, a young couple, who become entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973.
Daniel is abducted by Pinochet’s secret police and Lena tracks him to a sealed off area in the South of the country, called Colonia Dignidad.
The Colonia presents itself as a charitable mission run by lay preacher Paul Schäfer but, in fact, is a place nobody ever escaped from. Lena decides to join the cult in order to find Daniel.
Gallenberger is directing...
Pincipal photography is about to begin on thriller Colonia, from German director Florian Gallenberger (John Rabe).
The film stars Emma Watson in her first lead role since the Harry Potter franchise and Daniel Brühl, the German star of Rush and The Face of an Angel.
The film will shoot in Luxembourg, Munich, Berlin and South America, until the end of the year.
Colonia tells the story of Lena and Daniel, a young couple, who become entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973.
Daniel is abducted by Pinochet’s secret police and Lena tracks him to a sealed off area in the South of the country, called Colonia Dignidad.
The Colonia presents itself as a charitable mission run by lay preacher Paul Schäfer but, in fact, is a place nobody ever escaped from. Lena decides to join the cult in order to find Daniel.
Gallenberger is directing...
- 9/29/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
German helmer Florian Gallenberger won an Oscar for his 2000 short film Quiero Ser (I Want To Be…) and followed that up with such features as Honolulu and City Of War: The Story Of John Rabe. Both those films starred Daniel Bruhl with whom the director is reteaming on Colonia. Principal photography is about to begin on the thriller that has Emma Watson opposite Bruhl in a tale inspired by true events. They play a young couple who become entangled in the Chilean military coup of 1973. Daniel (Bruhl) is abducted by Pinochet’s secret police and Lena (Watson) tracks him to a sealed-off area in the south of the country called Colonia Dignidad. The Colonia presents itself as a charitable mission run by a lay preacher, but is in fact a place from which no one has ever escaped. In order to find her beloved, Lena decides to join the cult.
- 9/29/2014
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline
COLOGNE, Germany -- German financial wunderkind David Groenewold added another puzzle piece to his cross-media group Monday, transferring 51% of new Berlin-based distributor Majestic Filmverleih and producer Majestic Filmproduktion to his production group Odeon Film. Groenewold set up the Majestic companies this year with his partner and former Senator Film executive Benjamin Herrmann. Herrmann remains Majestic managing director and holds a 49% stake in both companies. Majestic's focus is on German-language features, both as a distributor and a financier/co-producer.
- 11/20/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
COLOGNE, Germany -- German financial wunderkind David Groenewold added another puzzle piece to his cross-media group on Monday, transferring 51% of new Berlin-based distributor Majestic Filmverleih and producer Majestic Filmproduktion to his production group Odeon Film.
Groenewold set up the Majestic companies earlier this year with partner, and former Senator Film executive, Benjamin Herrmann. Herrmann remains Majestic managing director and holds a 49% stake in both companies.
Majestic's focus is on German-language features, both as a distributor and a financier/co-producer.
Last week the group picked up Doris Doerrie's upcoming romantic comedy Hanami and the documentary Con Man Confidential from Alexander Adolph.
Majestic has also boarded three new features as a co-producer and distributor: Florian Gallenberger's World War II biopic John Rabe; the mountain climbing drama Nordwand from Phillip Stoelzl; and Desert Flower, an adaptation of the 1997 best-selling autobiography from Somalian-born model Waris Dirie.
Groenewold set up the Majestic companies earlier this year with partner, and former Senator Film executive, Benjamin Herrmann. Herrmann remains Majestic managing director and holds a 49% stake in both companies.
Majestic's focus is on German-language features, both as a distributor and a financier/co-producer.
Last week the group picked up Doris Doerrie's upcoming romantic comedy Hanami and the documentary Con Man Confidential from Alexander Adolph.
Majestic has also boarded three new features as a co-producer and distributor: Florian Gallenberger's World War II biopic John Rabe; the mountain climbing drama Nordwand from Phillip Stoelzl; and Desert Flower, an adaptation of the 1997 best-selling autobiography from Somalian-born model Waris Dirie.
- 11/20/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
COLOGNE -- Christoph Mueller, the Oscar-nominated producer of Sophie Scholl -- The Final Days has joined Berlin-based Senator Entertainment as head of the company's production division, Senator Film Produktion. Senator announced that Mueller will take over the post July 1, replacing Benjamin Herrmann, who left the company in April. German industry veteran Peter Heinzemann has already taken up Herrmann's other job as head of Senator's distribution arm, Senator Filmverleih . Mueller joins Senator from Munich-based Goldkind film, where he is co-managing director with Sven Burgemeister. The move suggests a closer working arrangement between Goldkind and Senator could be in the works.
- 6/28/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
MUNICH -- Benjamin Herrmann, managing director of Senator Film Distribution since 2000 and Senator Film Production since 2001, will leave the company as of April 30, Senator announced from Berlin late Monday. He will be replaced as distribution chief by Peter Heinzemann, who was head of distribution at Dortmund-based 3L Filmverleih until the end of last year. A new director of production at Senator will be named shortly, the company said. Senator said in a statement that Herrmann's departure was "by mutual agreement" and part of a general management restructure at parent company Senator Entertainment AG.
- 4/24/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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