'Serena': New model for co-finance

Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper starrer "Serena," produced by 2929 Entertainment but co-funded by European small-major Studiocanal, with Denmark's Susanne Bier pointing, can be a classic instance of how U.S. productions are reaping helpful benefits from European financing options.Formerly, Studiocanal, 2929 and Mutual Film Co. teamed on Stefan Ruzowitzky's "Blackbird," which Studiocanal offered and distributes inside the U.K., Germany and France. For 2929's Ben Cosgrove, "Serena" can be a meeting of like companies: Both 2929 and Studiocanal are "filmmaker-driven companies" with a sense of audience, he mentioned.Tempted by rebates, U.S. productions shoot frequently in Europe indeed, "Serena" contacts beginning March 26 in Prague's Barrandov Studio and also on Czech locations."Serena" is allotted inside the $25 million-$Thirty Dollars million range, mentioned Olivier Courson, Studiocanal chairman-Boss. That could be lot of money to enhance in the U.S. alone."We gravitate towards creatively ambitious films with ground-breaking filmmakers," mentioned Cosgrove, "With people films, it's helpful to own partners that are also ready to commit significant assets that goes for them to ensure they are happen."U.S-based producer Nick Wechsler, who produces with Wagner, Cosgrove and Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz, noted that you need to have "good European partners to make films outdoors the studio system for your world market."The melding of U.S. and European gold gold coin, talent and subjects, in films like "Drive," "The Artist" and "The Descendants," has created a kind of hybrid: the auteur mainstream movie."Serena" originates inside the hills of 20's New You are able to, with Lawrence since the wife from the timber baron. She battles the us government to be able to save their lands but engineers the murder of her husband's illegitimate boy."Serena" captures "a great love which fits directly from the incorrect path," Bier mentioned. Her challenge is ideal for audiences to understand "how important, limitless and without restrictions this love is.""Transpire in developing a film for current day market's is always to gather auteur company company directors with interesting genre material," mentioned Wechsler."After 'Tinker Tailor' as well as the Coens' 'Inside Llewyn Davis,' 'Serena' perfectly demonstrates Studiocanal's priority if this involves production: a high quality film getting an excellent director, a very appealing cast and effective potential worldwide," Courson mentioned.Funded by Studiocanal, "Mess Tailor" made $20.5 million Stateside through Feb 5. Studiocanal's film financing capacity runs at about $800 million through 2014, the finest connected having a company in Europe.It's already taking distribution and worldwide rights on wide-audience projects with decisive U.S. input: "Davis," produced by Scott Rudin the Eli Roth-produced "The Ultimate Exorcism 2" and Luca Guadagnino's British-language thriller debut, produced with Scott Free. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com