London all out of TOC

Canal steps up efforts for Euro film studio

By MICHAEL WILLIAMS

PARIS -- TOC, the 3-year-old film production joint venture between Studio Canal Plus and Gallic production house Telema, has closed its London office.

TOC will continue to function, with Telema chairman Charles Gassot and Studio Canal Plus' Dominique Green overseeing the company from Paris.

TOC developed a handful of pics, including "Monsieur de Brillancourt" and "Maggie Goes to Hollywood," before shelving them. Company is a co-production partner on Terence Gross' "Hotel Splendid," to screen out of competition at the Berlin film fest.

TOC may also produce Patrice Chereau's English-lingo "Intimacy."

The closure of TOC's London office comes as Canal Plus steps up efforts to create a European film studio, with production and distribution outlets in the major Euro territories.