Condor Films wants to return to the big screen
The film production company Condor Films is re-entering the feature film business. To mark its 60th anniversary, the long-established Zurich-based company unveiled ambitious plans on Monday: It aims to become a major European player in the film industry over the next six years. Condor Films is celebrating its anniversary with a big party in Zurich.
The film production company Condor Films is getting back into the feature film business. To mark its 60th birthday, the long-established Zurich-based company presented some big plans on Monday. Condor Films wants to become a major European player in the cinema landscape over the next six years, said Chairman of the Board of Directors Thomas Sterchi to the media. Turnover is set to more than double to around 50 million Swiss francs.
In 2007, the initial course was set for the new feature film business: A new "Features" department was created. The aim is to produce two to three feature films a year. Instead of mainstream, Condor Films focuses on sophisticated studio films.
"Dällebach Kari" and Christoph Meili Four feature films are currently in preparation, one of which is about to be realized. According to CEO and producer Kristian Widmer, this is a remake of the tragicomic "Dällebach Kari" for a European audience.
For one of the four plots, Condor is working with Swiss director Xavier Koller; Widmer did not want to give any further details. In the field of documentaries, Koller will again be filming the life of the document shredder Christoph Meili, who became known in connection with the Holocaust money affair, in 2008 or 2009.
It is no coincidence that Condor Films relies on Koller: Koller brought the company its greatest success with "Journey of Hope". The refugee drama won an Oscar in 1991. Condor wants to build on such films with its new direction.
The company also wants to tap into funds from private investors for the multi-million productions. At the same time, the TV series business is to be boosted by the Bern-based TV production company Faro TV, which was acquired in 2006.
An eventful historyCondor Films has an eventful history behind it: Founded on October 1, 1947 by Heinrich Fueter-Blanc, the husband of film actress Anne Marie Blanc, Condor developed into the largest Swiss film producer. Condor's main business, however, was in commissioned films of all kinds, from advertising, industrial and PR films to environmental awareness films.
In 1973, Condor took over the Bellerive film and TV studios from Swiss German television, which are still the company's headquarters. In 1991, the then TA-Media AG (now Tamedia) acquired a majority stake in the studios and two years ago Widmer and Sterchi became the new majority shareholders.
Big anniversary celebrationA big celebration will be held on Monday evening as part of the Zurich Film Festival to mark the anniversary. According to a Condor press release, stars such as Michael Ballhaus ("Dracula", "Good Fellas", "The Departed"), Xavier Koller ("Journey of Hope"), Dani Levy ("Alles auf Zucker!"), Suzanne von Borsody and Nina Hoss are on the guest list. The grande dame of Swiss film, Anne-Marie Blanc, as co-founder of the company, is both guest of honor and tribute recipient in one person. British shooting star Jamie Cullum sets the musical tone on stage
In 2007, the initial course was set for the new feature film business: A new "Features" department was created. The aim is to produce two to three feature films a year. Instead of mainstream, Condor Films focuses on sophisticated studio films.
"Dällebach Kari" and Christoph Meili Four feature films are currently in preparation, one of which is about to be realized. According to CEO and producer Kristian Widmer, this is a remake of the tragicomic "Dällebach Kari" for a European audience.
For one of the four plots, Condor is working with Swiss director Xavier Koller; Widmer did not want to give any further details. In the field of documentaries, Koller will again be filming the life of the document shredder Christoph Meili, who became known in connection with the Holocaust money affair, in 2008 or 2009.
It is no coincidence that Condor Films relies on Koller: Koller brought the company its greatest success with "Journey of Hope". The refugee drama won an Oscar in 1991. Condor wants to build on such films with its new direction.
The company also wants to tap into funds from private investors for the multi-million productions. At the same time, the TV series business is to be boosted by the Bern-based TV production company Faro TV, which was acquired in 2006.
An eventful historyCondor Films has an eventful history behind it: Founded on October 1, 1947 by Heinrich Fueter-Blanc, the husband of film actress Anne Marie Blanc, Condor developed into the largest Swiss film producer. Condor's main business, however, was in commissioned films of all kinds, from advertising, industrial and PR films to environmental awareness films.
In 1973, Condor took over the Bellerive film and TV studios from Swiss German television, which are still the company's headquarters. In 1991, the then TA-Media AG (now Tamedia) acquired a majority stake in the studios and two years ago Widmer and Sterchi became the new majority shareholders.
Big anniversary celebrationA big celebration will be held on Monday evening as part of the Zurich Film Festival to mark the anniversary. According to a Condor press release, stars such as Michael Ballhaus ("Dracula", "Good Fellas", "The Departed"), Xavier Koller ("Journey of Hope"), Dani Levy ("Alles auf Zucker!"), Suzanne von Borsody and Nina Hoss are on the guest list. The grande dame of Swiss film, Anne-Marie Blanc, as co-founder of the company, is both guest of honor and tribute recipient in one person. British shooting star Jamie Cullum sets the musical tone on stage
