Beta acquires rights to 'Genghis'

Asano stars in $10 mil chronicle of historical leader

By ED MEZA

BERLIN -- Beta Cinema has acquired world rights to Sergei Bodrov's "Mongol -- The Early Years of Genghis Khan."

Produced by Philip Lee ("Crouching Tiger & Hidden Dragon") and Sergey Selyanov ("Brother") of Russia's CTB, the $10 million pic chronicles the life of the young Temudzhin, who, as Genghis Khan, became one of the most renowned tribal leaders in history.

Pic stars Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano ("Zatoichi -- The Blind Samurai") as Temudzhin.

Andrei Melnikov of Russian company Andreevskiy Flag, Stefan Arndt and Manuela Stehr of Berlin-based X Filme, and Hamburg's Kinofabrika are coproducing the project, the first installment in a planned trilogy on the life of Khan. Financing comes from Kazakhstani investment group Neftex and Filmfoerderung Hamburg.

"Mongol" begins shooting in July on location in the Far East.

Beta Cinema has also picked up international rights to a bundle of titles from German producer-distrib Constantin.

These include Helmut Dietl's romantic comedy "About the Looking for and the Finding of Love;" Dominic Deruddere's black comedy "The Wedding Party," based on Hermann (aka Hermann Huppen) and Jean van Hamme's graphic novel "Lune de Guerre."

Company also nabbed Doris Doerrie's "The Fisherman and His Wife -- Why Women Never Get Enough," a retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale starring Alexandra Maria Lara ("Downfall") and Christian Ulmen ("Berlin Blues").

Beta also nabbed Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's debut feature "The Lives of Others," a story of trust and treason during the final years of the Communist regime in East Germany, from Munich-based Wiedemann & Berg.