EXCLUSIVE: Christine Günther and Chevy Chen, the co-founders of the Berlin and Los Angeles-based production company Fireglory Pictures, first met in Germany through the series produced by Doug Liman Secret matters.
“I was working in international production and met Christine when I came to Berlin for a unit job,” says Chen.
The two got on well and started working together bit by bit before establishing their working relationship a little over eight years ago by forming their joint company Fireglory Pictures.
So far you have completed three feature films under the banner of “Crazy Rom-Com”. Kiss me kosher, Cassette: a documentary mixtape and ex-convict drama at homeon which they were co-producers.
Projects in the works include hybrid live variety and documentary projects Music and the machine by Jacob Kornbluth, best known for Inequality for all And Save capitalism; Transhumanism drama by Daniel Y-Li Grove The Creatorsin which a couple gets the chance to design their unborn child, and Bio-Doc The babiesabout Madeleine Altmann, the founder of the first female porn website Babes4U.com.
Chen says there is “no formula” to the type of projects they take part in, but suspects it’s an amalgamation of their different tastes.
“My background is in Hollywood films of the 80s and 90s, and Christine’s is more arthouse and European.” “Our tastes match, although we also change places now, which is nice,” he says.
“We find stories that lie in between and hold, that is to say exciting, funny and entertaining, as funny as a popcorn movie can be, but also have substance and are there to give meaning, to discover, to make a difference make.” give impetus. Contracts close and questions and discussions move forward.”
Günther figuratively compares the editorial rule to “storytelling street food”, which is “accessible but surprising with elements and ingredients that can challenge the taste buds.”
“We’re really trying to put out stories that not only create discourse for the sake of discourse, but also bridge gaps and bring people together, and I’m almost afraid to say it, but I’m going to say it.” Make the world a little better by telling stories.”
The industry veteran whose recent credits include producing separate line and executive productions Kill Eve And The stewardess – refers to Shirel Peleg’s film set in Tel Aviv Kiss me kosher as an example of such a film.
The film centers on a witty cafe owner from Tel Aviv who becomes involved with non-Jewish German biologist Maria and faces fierce opposition from her Holocaust survivor grandmother, who in turn is in love with her Palestinian neighbor.
“This is a film about love and understanding and about coming together when the stories of the past might make us stay in our own corner,” says Günther.
“It’s very profound in its meaning, its interactions and its dynamics, as well as the issues it touches on, from the Shoah to the Nakba, the conflict and the occupation, but it’s wrapped in ridiculous nonsense.”
The film’s trajectory also highlights the challenges Fireglory Pictures faced in the early days of its existence, with the first productions coming to fruition with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020.
“When we rehearsed the film in Israel, we sat in bunkers because rockets hit Tel Aviv,” says Günther, referring to the flare-up of the conflict in the Middle East in March 2019.
“We finished the film and released it in Berlin in 2020, just around the time that Covid hit. It was invited to Karlovy Vary for its festival premiere. We investigated flights when they were cancelled,” says Günther.
Miraculously, the film had a quick theatrical release in Germany between two lockdowns in September 2020.
However, plans for a US theatrical release by Menemsha Films on October 13th were shelved in response to the deadly Hamas terror attack on Israel just days before.
“The film’s message is probably more necessary than ever, but bringing it to the public now is unthinkable. It’s too early and too close,” says Günther about the film, which is expected to be released in early 2024.
Günther and Chen are handling the setback calmly.
“We released three films during Covid, which is why I still suffer from severe post-traumatic stress disorder. We should call ourselves Whack-A-Mole Productions, I’m not sure if it’s quotable, but it comes from the bottom of my heart,” says Günther.
The pair continue to develop and produce their product, leveraging financial and manufacturing partners on both sides of the Atlantic.
“We cherry pick on both sides of the pond,” says Günther. “There is a way to combine US equity with European soft money and subsidies that feels very natural and sensible to us and our partners.”
The company currently produces Patrick Shen and Brandon Vedder As slowly as possiblea captivating and meditative film that explores the concept of time and German director Philip Gröning (In great silence) added.
“I just had dinner with Philip, who has worked with me for a long time and is a mentor to me. We are very excited about this collaboration. This is our art house project, but it fits our overall mission to provoke thought and will also reflect through its form,” says Günther.
“It’s meant to be an escapist experience for the audience that should be experienced in a theater,” she adds, saying parts of the film can also be used for installations in art spaces.
The company is in pre-production from Kornbluth“Music and the Machine.”. Berlin music producer Victor Van Vugt, best known for his work with Nick Caves and the Bad Seeds, is on board as producer, and Fireglory is also seeking additional partners for the hybrid effort, which also includes a live recording recorded in Las. Vegas. Variety of component contains.
The company is in the packaging, financing and casting phases for Grove’s The Creatorsthen the director’s second feature film The Persian connectionand the English-language directorial debut of French screenwriter Audrey Schebat Nothing to loseThe co-producer is the British company Lucky Mothers.
The latter film takes place in a not-too-distant future where people in debt to society are auctioned off as a final favor from the state to be put to good use before facing death by “liquidation”.
Other feature films in development include Chiara Centioni’s documentary Fall into ValiIn it, the Italian director, former host of the QVC shopping channel, follows in the footsteps of the late Australian bohemian artist and dancer Vali Myers on a personal journey that takes her from Italy’s Amalfi Coast to New York and Australia’s Gold Coast.
New York-based Italian jewelry designer Amedeo Scognamiglio, whose collection with his late partner Roberto Faraone Mennella became famous after it was shown at Sex in the cityrecently joined the project as an executive producer.
The company is also currently working on a pilot for a six-part series in Berlin Ovalwith writers and showrunners Janna Maria Nandzik (The Empress) and Stefan Titze (How to sell medicine online fast) attached. The drama revolves around the unexpected side effects of an empathy pill on the city.
“The next phase is to make the pilots accessible to potential partners,” says Günther.
They are about to restart development The babieswhich is in a very early stage of development and has stalled due to the writers’ strike.
Fireglory has a production deal with Altmann, the documentary’s protagonist, who lives between Berlin and Boston and came to them with her story.
“It was pointed in our direction. She presented the idea to us and we thought, that’s exactly what we want to do. This is one of our projects that was completely stalled by the strike because we couldn’t reach the writers and showrunners, we just picked it up again.
One final project in early development is Alisa Berger’s dark comedy Sock puppets Explore the topic of disinformation through the story of a young American “content provider” who ends up on a Russian troll farm.
“We’re waiting for the next version, so some things will change, but essentially this is a true story as it could have happened in the run-up to 2016 … we’re really looking for a dark, biting comedy about something.” , causing great division. and politics, anchored in the true story of a woman.”
Source: Deadline
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
