Studio Babelsberg Production “The Ghost” receives €3.5 M from German Federal Film Fund

For the film The Ghost the Advisory Council of the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) has approved funds for subsidy in the amount of €3.5M. Additionally, the German Federal Film Board (FFA) and Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg have assured a production subsidy amounting to €500.000 each and Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig Holstein will contribute with €200.000.
 
The Ghost is a German-French-British co-production between the partners RP Films (F), Elfte Babelsberg Film (D) and Runteam III (UK). Roman Polanski, Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde produce the film. Henning Molfenter, Carl L. Woebcken and Christoph Fisser from Studio Babelsberg and Timothy Burrill from Runteam are co-producers.
Elfte Babelsberg Film, a hundred percent subsidiary of Studio Babelsberg AG, was assigned as sole executive production company. As full service provider it was in charge of the entire production process.
Dr. Carl Woebcken, CEO Studio Babelsberg AG and co-producer: “We are very happy about the decision. International co-productions like The Ghost strengthen the German film industry and bring a broad know-how to the country. In particular, the DFFF subsidies are well-invested money. Thus, every Euro spent on film production generates five to six Euros of further production spends in Germany.”

We are glad that we can offer Roman Polanski a creative environment, as well as economically attractive conditions to the production. Thus, films of high quality and relevance like “The Ghost” can be made.
Henning Molfenter
Managing Director
Studio Babelsberg Motion Pictures
Co-Producer

Henning Molfenter, Managing Director of Studio Babelsberg Motion Pictures and co-producer: “After the great collaboration on Roman Polanski’s film The Pianist, which we also produced in our Studio, we are proud that also The Ghost comes into being with us. We are glad that we can offer Roman Polanski a creative environment, as well as economically attractive conditions to the production. Thus, films of high quality and relevance like The Ghost can be made.”
After the Oscar-winning movie The Pianist, The Ghost is the second feature film production to be shot in Babelsberg by renowned director Roman Polanski. The principal photography lasted from the be-ginning of April to early May 2009. The film stars Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Williams and Kim Cattrall. It was shot at Studio Babelsberg and on location in Berlin and Brandenburg as well as on the islands Sylt and Usedom. The Ghost is based on a novel of the same title by bestselling author Robert Harris. He was awarded with the Thriller Writers’ Award for the best novel of 2008. Jointly, Roman Polanski and Robert Harris adapted the thriller for screen.