Senator bounces back

Revenue, profit surge forward

By ED MEZA

'Vollidiot,' with Oliver Pocher, was Senator's biggest hit.

BERLIN — Senator Entertainment, which fought its way back from bankruptcy last year, continues to thrive after a massive upsurge in revenue and profit in the first half of the year.

Company posted revenue of e28.5 million ($38.9 million), up from $11.5 million in the same period last year. Bottom line swung to a net profit of $2.5 million from a loss of $1.7 million.

Senator generated the lion’s share of its coin through its licensing biz, followed by production and theatrical distribution.

The Berlin-based producer-distrib released four films in the first half. “Vollidiot,” a homegrown romantic comedy starring TV funnyman Oliver Pocher, was its most successful pic, taking $6.8 million at the local box office. Next came “Pan’s Labyrinth,” which garnered $2.3 million, and the short-film compilation “Paris je t’aime,” which earned $1.37 million.

Company also expanded into TV with the acquisition of a 51% stake in Pro GmbH, which produces programming ranging from talk and entertainment formats to series and telepics.

In addition to broadening its homevid operations, which included seven DVD releases, Senator embarked on its first international production in years with Dennis Lee’s family drama “Fireflies in the Garden,” starring Julia Roberts and Willem Dafoe.

Senator will release 16 films in the second half, including Quentin Tarantino’s “Death Proof,” Michael Moore’s “Sicko,” Robert Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror,” Mikael Hafstroem’s John Cusack starrer “1408” and Rob Zombie’s “Halloween.” Company will also release 11 DVDs.

Senator shares climbed 3.86% to $3.66 on Wednesday following the release of the half-year results.