05-11-2008

Czech-Slovak-German co-production wraps

By Radovan Holub
    Three Seasons in Hell, a debut from writer/director Tomas Masin, completes filming on November 17.

    Filmed in Prague and Vienna, the CZK 80 million (3.2 million euro) film is the first feature from Prague commercial house Dawson Productions. Co-producers are Czech TV, Germany's Babelsberg Film, and Trigon Production of Slovakia. Funding came from the Czech Film Fund, Eurimages, the Slovak government, and Media Plus Development.

    Set in 1947, and based upon a true story, the film stars Krystof Hadek (Dark Blue World) and Polish actress Karolina Gruzska (Inland Empire) as a young intellectual (inspired by a Plastic People of the Universe underground musician), and a Czech surrealist poet.

    "We want to make the film really authentic and true to the time," Dawson Productions producer Monika Kristl told FNE. "Broad international co-productions surely mean a bigger chance for Czech films. It's a way for Czech films to become more international and appealing to international audiences."

    Trigon Production producer Patrik Pass (Emmy award-winning documentary The Power of Good), told FNE, "I was impressed by the ambitious script of Three Seasons in Hell, the passion of the director, and by Kristl who is known for sound business results."

    The producers hope to present the film at Cannes, with the Czech premiere in November 2009, distributed by Falcon Film.