MR rides Imax to Europe

$4.5 mil 'White Horses' getting Christmas '99 release

By CATHY MEILS

VIENNA -- MR Film is producing Europe's first Imax picture, "The Wonder of the White Horses." The film traces the history of the famous Lippizzan horses and Vienna's 400-year-old Spanish Riding School.

The $4.5 million film began shooting in Austria and will continue on location in Jordan, Spain, and Slovenia. A Christmas 1999 release is expected.

Kurt Mrkwicka, producer of MR Film, wrote and directs. With the growth of Imax cinemas, including Austria's second Imax planned for Vienna, Mrkwicka is optimistic about the film's prospects.