Barrandov gets birthday boost

Despite dip in investment, studios sees $1.8 mil in profits

By CATHY MEILS

PRAGUE -- Strike threats, terrorism and two years of rumors and uncertainty over its ownership failed to dampen Barrandov studio's 2001 results, as it celebrated its 70th birthday Friday.

CEO Radomir Docekal said the studio racked up a profit of over CZK67 million ($1.8 million) for the first ten months of the year. That compares well with last year's numbers, despite almost $3 million less in turnover, which is expected to hit $16 million for 2001.

"This [decrease] reflects the fall in investment from American and West European production companies from June to October in the Czech Republic as well as everywhere else in Europe," Docekal said.

He attributed profitability to "increasing work productivity and production efficiency." Improvements included reconstruction of the large sound stages and upgrades in the film lab and camera supplies.

Docekal was upbeat on Barrandov's prospects for 2002. "I believe 2002 will be even better than our previous best year, 2000, and with the new upgrades, profitability will be higher," he told Daily Variety.."We are fully booked through mid-year and have penciled projects for the second half of the year."

Confirmed bookings include the Jackie Chan starrer "Shanghai Knights" for Spyglass Entertainment and Revolution Studios' "XXX" starring Vin Diesel, with Stillking Films handling local production services for both films.