German TV Giant UFA Marches Into Film

Discovery has agreed to acquire German general entertainment channel Tele 5 fromGerman mini-major Leonine, controlled by private equity group KKR. Financial terms of the deal, unveiled on Friday, weren't disclosed.

Jake Kanter International TV EditorDiscovery has acquired the German free-to-air entertainment channel Tele5 from Leonine for an undisclosed fee.The deal also includes a “long-term” content agreement, which gives Discovery Germany access to Leonine’s library of fictional content.

Rammstein drummer Christoph ‘Doom’ Schneider has claimed that his early band Die Firma featured two spies in its line-up.In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, the musician spoke of his experiences of being part of the East Berlin music scene back in the 1980s.Discussing the style of his “new wave punk band” Die Firma, Schneider told the outlet they were “a little dark, with gothic influences”, while having “lyrics that protested against the system”.“This was not permitted, of course – we were

summer holidays abroad after ministers announced the 14-day self-isolation rule will be scrapped for a few hot spots. Originally, those travelling abroad would have to return to the UK and go into quarantine for two weeks.

Ed Meza @edmezavarGerman entertainment giant UFA is continuing its push into feature films with a slew of high-profile projects, including an upcoming Siegfried and Roy biopic and a sequel to the 2014 historical epic “The Physician,” starring Tom Payne (“Prodigal Son”).The ramp-up follows the huge box office success last year of Oscar winner Caroline Link’s “All About Me,” based on the childhood memoir of German comedian Hape Kerkeling, which became 2019’s second biggest local box-office hit

Jake Kanter International TV EditorEXCLUSIVE: Germany is widely regarded as a country that has dealt with the coronavirus crisis well. A six-week lockdown and a sophisticated track and trace system have kept the nation’s excess death rate among the lowest in Europe, while Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ratings have surged during the pandemic.German producers have faced the same issues as counterparts in the UK and the U.S.

Like Bavaria's heraldic lions from which it takes its name, Leonine got off to a roaring start. The would-be German mini-major, launched last year with a nine-figure war chest from its owners, New York investment firm KKR, quickly grew from cub to king of the jungle with a series of choice acquisitions, including film and TV powerhouse Tele München Group, indie film distributor Universum, Dark producer Wiedemann & Berg and local small-screen production outfit i&u TV.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Mexico’s Mauricio Ochmann is re-teaming with director Pitipol Ybarra for the Mexican remake of the 2018 German hit “25 KM/H” from Sony Pictures Intl. Prods.

Shalini Dore Features News EditorGerman cinema looks set for an exciting year with forthcoming works that include a high-profile Cannes selection celebrating one of Germany’s most iconic filmmakers, an expressionistic thriller set in 1920s Vienna, a tale of Nazi seduction and a new Thomas Mann adaptation.The COVID-19 pandemic dashed the excitement of a splashy Cannes premiere for Oskar Roehler’s “Enfant Terrible,” part of the festival’s Official Selection, but the film is nevertheless certain

Andreas Wiseman International EditorEXCLUSIVE: The big Cannes virtual market deal-making is underway. I understand German major Leonine has closed a multi-million dollar deal with STX International for black ops thriller Violence Of Action, starring Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Gillian Jacobs.Currently in post-production, the film follows James Reed (Pine), who joins a paramilitary organization in order to support his family after being involuntarily discharged from the Marines.

Kraftwerk have announced details of new reissues arriving on digital and streaming services for the first time.From July 3, fans will get to experience the Dolby Atmos/HD Surround mix of the group’s 2017 audio/video documentary 3-D The Catalogue, which will be available to stream for the first time through Amazon HD and Tidal.A stereo version of the documentary’s German language original form will also be made available across the globe.In addition, the original German language versions of five

website they said there had been no contact from German authorities telling them Maddy had died following her disappearance in 2007. Kate and Gerry McCann  say reports of a police letter claiming their daughter is dead are "false".

System Of A Down and Green Day have been named among the 2021 headliners of the German festivals Rock am Ring and Rock im Park.The twin festivals, which are usually held simultaneously, were cancelled for 2020 earlier this year due to the coronavirus outbreak.The organisers of Rock am Ring and Rock im Park have now confirmed that SOAD, Green Day and Volbeat, who were due to headline the festivals this year, will top the bill in 2021.The twin festivals will take place from June 11-13, 2021, with

A 'German paedophile' is said to have written about Madeleine McCann's disappearance online, claims a detective investigating her case.