Eyeworks, Cologne Film and Orisa Produzioni join forces for Stijn Coninx’ Marina

Eyeworks Film & TV Drama (Belgium), Cologne Film (Germany) and Orisa Produzioni (Italy) will co-produce the Belgian-German-Italian Marina, directed by Stijn Coninx. Over 40% of the €6 million budget is in place, originating from the Benelux. Principal photography is planned for summer of 2011, while release is scheduled for March 2012.

Although set in Fifties post-war Europe, Marina taps into those very modern and real themes of migration and integration. But foremost, it’s a story about the American dream, the European way. It’s the story of realising a dream by following one’s heart’s desire, against all odds. And the beauty of it is that it is inspired by true facts, namely the life of the Italian/Belgian musician Rocco Granata, who had a worldwide hit with his song Marina, which sold over a hundred million copies across the world and has been covered by such artists as Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin and Dalida.

Marina, which is also the title song of the film, is the story of a young Italian man, about his youth in idyllic Calabria and his struggle to survive in a tough Belgian mining village. It’s the account of a 10-year fight against poverty, social prejudice, cultural bias and an authoritarian but well-meaning father. But most of all, it’s the romantic, compelling and warm story of a young man fulfilling his wildest dreams and getting the beautiful but unreachable grocer’s daughter.

Stijn Coninx has directed numerous films, TV series and theatre plays. His most successful films are Hector, Koko Flanel and Daens, which were all-time box office hits in Belgium, with Daens nominated for the Best Foreign Language Academy Awards. He also directed There Will Be Light, Verder dan de maan, and To Walk Again. Last year he directed Soeur Sourire with Cécile de France.

About Eyeworks
Launched in 1981, Eyeworks Film & TV Drama (formerly MMG) is one of Belgium’s most prominent film production companies. Its filmography features critical successes such as Crazy Love (Love is a Dog from Hell), Brussels by Night, Wait until Spring, Bandini and Ben X, as well as local and international hits such as The Alzheimer Case (The Memory of a Killer), Hector, Missing, Storm Force and Dossier K. New and upcoming features include Crazy about ya, Marina and Swooni. The company has a tradition of working with established filmmakers as well as discovering and launching emerging talents.

Since 1995, the company has also been producing highly successful drama series for television. Eyeworks Film & TV Drama has been part of the international Eyeworks Group since 2005.

About Cologne
Founded in 1988 by Micha Terjung and Gerhard Schmidt, Eyeworks Cologne Gemini Film is one of the most experienced independent German film production companies in the German-speaking and international market. For the national TV market, Cologne Gemini successfully produces TV movies (eg, You Can Never Feel Safe, My Bad Best Friend, The Cat, Patterns & Ambitions) TV series (eg, Wilsberg, Marie And… Black Forest Manor), sitcoms (eg, The Office), as well as entertainment formats (eg, Midnight Lace, Which Book Are You Reading?) and infotainment programmes for ZDF, ARD, PRO 7/SAT 1 and RTL.

Together with European and North American partners, Cologne Gemini has produced more than 50 mainly-English-speaking feature films and TV movies for the international market over the past 20 years. Its feature films sold worldwide have been screened, nominated and awarded at numerous national and international festivals. In 2009, the production You Can Never Be Sure (Public Broadcaster WDR) was awarded the prestigious ROMY TV award in the Best Movie of the Year category.

About Orisa
Orisa Produzioni was started in 1992 by producer/director Cristiano Bortone. Since then it has been working in the field of independent features, documentaries and creative television. Its films have screened at major international festivals and received a number of awards, including a Special Mention at Venice Film Festival 2004 for Francesco Munzi's Saimir. The film was also given the Italian Silver Ribbon Award and was candidate for best first film at the EFA Awards and at the Italian David di Donatello.

Red Like the Sky by Cristiano Bortone was presented as Special Event at the first Rome Film Festival. It won a David di Donatello Award and best film awards at several international film festivals, including Hamburg, Amsterdam Cinekid, San Paulo, Montreal Youth Film Festival, Sydney, Palm Beach, Vancouver, Durban and Tel Aviv.

Its last film, Maria, He doesn't Like it!, co-produced with German Claussen Wobke Putz Filmproduktion and Constantin Film and distributed in Italy by 20th Century Fox, was one of the top grossing movies of the season in Germany. The company is members of the EFA, the European Producer's Club, and ACE – Atelier du Cinema Européen.