Senator Film, helmer pact

Vilsmaier to tackle pix for Perathon

By MIRIAM HILS

BERLIN -- Acclaimed German director Joseph Vilsmaier has inked an exclusive output deal with Hanno Huth's Senator Film. Berlin-based production and distribution company Senator has acquired a 51% stake in Vilsmaier's Perathon Film und Fernseh, Senator announced Wednesday.

Former lenser Vilsmaier has directed commercial and critical successes "Herbstmilch," "Stalingrad," "Schlafes Bruder" and German box office hit "Comedian Harmonists," which has been picked up for domestic distribution by Miramax.

Vilsmaier plans to direct or produce two feature films a year for Munich-based Perathon. Vilsmaier recently wrapped Dennis Hopper starrer "Straight Shooter," a Perathon/Senator co-production. Perathon has additional projects in the pipeline, including a Marlene Dietrich biopic to be directed by Vilsmaier.

Senator will distribute all future Perathon productions and has also acquired the rights to 10 previous Perathon productions.

Early next year, Senator will become Germany's first production company to go public. Senator's revenues reached $41.6 million in 1997, while Perathon reported turnover of $8.5 million.