Strong Slate of German Films Wait in the Wings of Pandemic

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.

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.

Dave McNary Film ReporterNicolas Cage thriller “Willy’s Wonderland” has sold to most international territories, including the U.K., Canada, Australia, Italy, Germany and Latin America, by Foresight Unlimited at the Cannes virtual market.Cage portrays an out-of-towner forced to clean a family entertainment center in exchange for having his car serviced after it breaks down.

Keanu Reeves and girlfriend Alexandra Grant appeared more in love than ever while out and about in Berlin.The Matrix star, 55, and Grant, 47, arrived in Germany earlier this month as the fourth installment of the sci-fi films prepares to resume filming amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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 entertainment giant UFA is continuing its push into feature film 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 last year’s huge box-office success 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 home-grown

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.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentMemento Films International has closed major territory sales on its prestige director-driven film slate, including “Persian Lessons,” “My Salinger Year” and “Under The Stars.” “Persian Lessons,” a drama directed by “House of Sand and Fog” helmer Vadim Perelman, is set in Occupied France in 1942.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorWhen German filmmaker Patrick Vollrath told DP Sebastian Thaler that he planned to do a film shot in one room, Thaler was curious. What he didn’t know was that Vollrath meant a cockpit.Vollrath’s feature debut, “7500,” which bows in the U.S.

Naman Ramachandran DOK Leipzig, one of the oldest documentary festivals in the world, is preparing a hybrid edition in October.A reduced selection of 120 films will screen at Leipzig venues, in compliance with coronavirus hygiene regulations, and the films will also be available online across Germany.

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