BERLIN -- Citing an ailing media sector and changing market conditions, Sony Pictures Entertainment is shuttering its German-language production unit Deutsche Columbia Pictures Filmproduktion.
Established in 1998, Berlin-based Deutsche Columbia enjoyed a solid hit with its debut release "Anatomy," which became Germany's highest-grossing German-language film of 2000 -- and the company's only success to date. All of Deutsche Columbia's follow-up pics, including "What to Do in Case of Fire," "Commercial Man," "Big Girls Don't Cry" and "Anatomy 2," bombed at the box office.
Sony will nevertheless continue to back local pics through a long-term production deal inked with Deutsche Columbia managing director Andrea Willson after the company is closed later this year.
"We remain strongly committed to our corporate strategy of producing local language films in key markets throughout the world," said John Calley, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment. "With the difficulties of the media market and the downward box office trends in Germany, it just makes more sense for us to refocus our resources into other regions. We will continue to pursue projects in the German market through our relationship with Andrea Willson."
Although the decision follows a devastating year for Germany's media industry, move comes at a time when the local biz appears to be reviving thanks to local hit "Good Bye, Lenin!," which has dominated the B.O. charts for the past four weeks, and the expected sale of TV giant Kirch Media to U.S. billionaire Haim Saban.
Sony Pictures Television International, which produces a number of successful local comedies, including RTL's "Ritas Welt," will continue its TV operations in Germany.
Sony Pictures currently has local-language film production outfits in Hong Kong, China, Brazil, Spain and the U.K., which have produced films such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Snatch."
Contact Ed Meza at
ed.meza@mannaa.de