MeesPierson Bank funds Mulholland
Bank to fund 3 pix; Winslet starrer 'Enigma' in prod'n
The financial institution took the pic package to private Dutch investors who are seeking to participate in Holland's CV Film tax shelter scheme. Within three weeks Mees had met with such overwhelming demand from investors eager to offset some of their tax liabilities that it gave Mulholland the thumbs-up earlier this week.
The first pic, "Enigma," a $28-million co-production with Mick Jagger's Jagged Film, is already lensing in the U.K. Directed by Michael Apted, the pic stars Kate Winslet and Dougray Scott.
Second pic, "The Discovery of Heaven," based on Harry Mulisch's bestselling novel and adapted by de Vries, will be helmed by Krabbe ("Left Luggage") and now go out for casting. The $14 million film is slated to start shooting Aug. 7.
The last project, "Fogbound," budgeted at $5 million, will be directed by de Jong and is set to go before cameras in November.
All three pics must finish production by year's end to avoid being penalized by the restructuring of the Dutch tax scheme on Jan. 1, which, according to de Jong, will not be as profitable for investors.
