Waiting For Azrael, the first live-action feature from Persepolis directors Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud, will be the first project from new European production powerhouse The Manipulators.
The outfit brings together Paris-based production and sales outfit Celluloid Dreams, Germany-based Studio Babelsberg and Clou Partners.
It will focus on medium to larger budgeted European and international co-productions and will access the international marketplace as well as soft money and private equity from both countries. Azrael is slated to start shooting this year at Studio Babelsberg.
Hengameh Panahi, president of Celluloid Dreams, said: “The Manipulators marks an exciting new step for European and international co-productions, as a one-stop shop.
“Our combined and complementary strengths will allow us to bring some very exciting projects to the world and I’m delighted to be part of that.”
The company will also be led by managing directors Torsten Poeck of Clou Partners and Christoph Fisser, Charlie Woebcken and Henning Molfenter, all of Studio Babelsberg.
Studio Babelsberg will provide the production skills and the studio facilities, Clou Partners will handle the financing and Celluloid will bring its production capabilities and market evaluation and will source the talent.
The Manipulators will be based at Babelsberg’s Potsdam headquarters.
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