Barrandov future up to shareholders
Lumar backing a mystery
That's when discussions about a Credit Suisse offer to buy the studio are expected to turn serious.
Behind the negotiations are a pair of young and relatively unknown Czech producers whose company, Lumar Film, is currently in production with Vojtech Jasny's Czech pic, "Return to Paradise Lost."
Stefan Vorzacek (one half of the Lumar partnership, along with Ludvik Nemec), had no comment, but the cognoscenti say that Credit Suisse, acting on behalf of Lumar, have completed their deal, following $250,000 in due diligence.
Summer's end
Their exclusive negotiation period with Barrandov was valid through the end of August, making the early September shareholders' meeting the date for laying their cards on the table.
The selling price for the studio complex and related properties is said to be $30 million.
That would buy up the 80% share currently owned by Moravia Steel, which has been looking to unload Barrandov for most of the past year.
Moravia Steel ousted former CEO Vaclav Marhoul in May of last year, but Marhoul still holds 20% of Barrandov. Marhoul told Daily Variety that he would like to sell his stake as well.
The question still unanswered is: Who's backing Lumar? The producers had been coy about answering questions regarding the financing of the Jasny film, saying only that the money came from private sources. That film is the pair's maiden venture into features.
