Coproduction Office

Coproduction Office is a film production and international sales company specialised in art-house films.

Coproduction Office
IndustryMotion Pictures (production and sales)
Founded1987
FounderPhilippe Bober
DivisionsParis: Sales and production
Berlin: Production
Copenhagen: Production
Websitecoproductionoffice.eu

Founded in 1987 by Philippe Bober, it includes a sales agency and three production divisions based in Berlin, Paris and Copenhagen.

Over the last two decades, it has mainly produced and handled films by Ulrich Seidl, Jessica Hausner, Roy Andersson, Michelangelo Frammartino, Thomas Clay, Kornél Mundruczó, Ilya Khrzhanovsky, Carlos Reygadas, and Ruben Östlund, and has also sold single films by, among others, Takashi Miike, Antonio Campos, Cristi Puiu, Corneliu Porumboiu, Gust Van den Berghe.

History

Founded in 1987 by Philippe Bober, the company was named after its efforts to raise funds for Europa by Lars von Trier (Jury Prize at Cannes in 1991).[1] Europa was a four-country coproduction and was supported by Eurimages during its very first session in 1989[2] and Bober acted as associate producer for Germany and France.[3] For von Trier's following project, The Kingdom, Coproduction Office was involved both as German co-producer and international seller, closing deals in territories where the 4 hours television series was distributed theatrically[4] (by USA Films, formerly October Films in the U.S.; ICA Projects in the United Kingdom; Haut et Cour in France; Shochiku in Japan, Key Films in Italy or Essential Films in Germany, the then newly created, Berlin-based production arm of Coproduction Office).[5] In 1996, after producing Breaking The Waves for the joint production venture Libérator Productions with Zentropa, according to Variety Bober was one of the first professionals to handle Scandinavian films:[6] the company established ongoing relationships with Swedish directors Roy Andersson and Ruben Östlund[7] and produced the film Nói Albinói by Dagur Kári together with Iceland's Zik Zak Filmworks.[8]

In 2000 Coproduction Office expanded its production activities adding production divisions in Paris[9] and later, in 2007, in Copenhagen. According to an interview for Cineuropa,[10] the combination of production and sales enables the company to be selective in the process of choosing which projects to develop. "Having freedom of choice has always been an obsession of mine," added Bober, highlighting that he "also spent three months per year for over 15 years viewing films, going to festivals, looking for information about directors: focusing on a few films is a deliberate choice and the result of this work."[11]

Philippe Bober has been working with filmmakers since the beginning of their career. He started working with Ruben Östlund, Jessica Hausner,[12] Dagur Kári, Kornél Mundruczó through their short films[13][14] and went on producing and/or selling their work starting from their debut films, including the first features of Michelangelo Frammartino,[15] Gust Van den Berghe, Ulrich Seidl, Carlos Reygadas, Ilya Khrzhanovsky

"The first thing people notice in our catalogue is the fact that our films are very visual. When I choose to commit to a project, it is true that I am less interested in the story than the way it is told, the way it is staged. Nevertheless, it doesn't exclude a certain coherence between the style and content. Besides, I think that auteurs that push the style the furthest are the ones with the most personal things to tell,"[16] said Philippe Bober about the company's line-up.

Coproduction Office is currently involved in the making of several projects at various stages of development: the untitled new films by Michelangelo Frammartino, Thomas Clay, Ulrich Seidl, Roy Andersson, Heinrich Sabl, Gust van den Berghe and Ilya Khrzhanovsky.

Film Library

The films produced or sold by Coproduction Office participated to a number of international festivals, including Cannes (with 11 nominations in the official Competition, 8 first features and 13 awards across sections), Venice (with 8 nominations in the official Competition, 5 first features and 8 awards across sections) and Berlin (3 nominations in Competition). 19 of these Competition titles were produced or co-produced by Philippe Bober.

Awards

The Rossellini Project

In collaboration with Instituto Luce Cinecittà, Cineteca di Bologna and CSC Cineteca Nazionale, Coproduction Office undertakes the restoration and promotion of ten key films of Roberto Rossellini’s filmography:[17]

Filmography
Year Format Director Original Title International Title Activity Festival
2019 Feature Thomas Clay Fanny Lye Deliver'd Fanny Lye Deliver'd Producer (Germany), International Sales London Film Festival - Official Competition
2019 Feature Roy Andersson Om det oändliga About Endlessness Producer (Germany),

International sales

 Venice 2019 - Competition - Silver Lion for Best Director
2019 Feature Jessica Hausner Little Joe Little Joe Producer (Germany),

International sales

 Cannes 2019 - Competition - Prix d'interprétation féminine – Best Actress
2019 Feature Susanne Heinrich Das Melancholische Mädchen Aren't You Happy? Producer (Germany),

International Sales

 Max Ophüls Preis 2019 - Best Film, Prize of the Ecumenical Jury
2017 Feature Ruben Östlund The Square The Square Producer (France, Germany, Denmark),

International sales

 Cannes 2017 - Competition - Palme d'Or
2016 Feature Ulrich Seidl Safari Safari International sales Venice 2016 - Out of Competition
2015 Feature Benjamin Dickinson Creative Control Creative Control International sales South by Southwest 2015 - Special Jury Award
2014 Feature Roy Andersson En duva satt på en gren och funderade

på tillvaron

 A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting

on the Existence

 Producer (France, Germany), International sales Venice 2014 - Competition - Golden Lion
2014 Feature Jessica Hausner Amour Fou Amour Fou Producer (Germany), International sales Cannes 2014 - Un certain regard
2014 Feature Jonathan Nossiter Résistance naturelle Natural Resistance International Sales Berlin 2014 - Panorama
2014 Feature Ruben Östlund Turist Force Majeure Producer (France, Denmark), International sales Cannes 2014 - Un certain regard Jury Prize
2014 Feature Ulrich Seidl Im Keller In the Basement International sales Venice 2014 - Out of Competition
2014 Feature Shin’ya Tsukamoto Nobi Fires on the Plain International sales Venice 2014 - Competition
2013 Series Stéphane Aubier

Vincent Patar

 La Bûche de Noël A Town Called Panic: The Christmas Log International sales New York International's Children Film Festival -

Grand Prix and Audience Award

2013 Installation Michelangelo Frammartino Alberi Alberi Producer (Germany), International sales MoMA PS1 2013
2013 Feature Ulrich Seidl Paradies: Hoffnung Paradise: Hope Producer (France), International sales Berlin 2013 - Competition
2012 Feature Ulrich Seidl Paradies: Glaube Paradise: Faith Producer (France), International sales Venice 2012 - Competition - Jury Award
2012 Feature Ulrich Seidl Paradies: Liebe Paradise: Love Producer (France), International sales Cannes 2012 - Competition
2012 Feature Spiros Stathoupoulos Meteora Meteora Producer (Germany), International sales Berlin 2012 - Competition
2011 Feature Gust Van den Berghe Blue Bird Blue Bird International sales Cannes 2011 - Quinzaine des réalisateurs
2011 Feature Ruben Östlund Play Play Producer (France, Denmark), International sales Cannes 2011 - Quinzaine des réalisateurs
2011 Short Bertrand Mandico Boro in the Box Boro in the Box Producer (France), International sales Cannes 2011 - Quinzaine des réalisateurs
2010 Short Bertrand Mandico Líf og dauði Henrys Darger The Life and Death of Henry Darger Producer (France), International Sales Venice 2010 - Orizzonti
2010 Feature Gust Van den Berghe En waar de sterre bleef stille staan Little Baby Jesus of Flandr International sales Cannes 2010 - Quinzaine des réalisateurs
2010 Feature Kornél Mundruczó Szelíd teremtés: A Frankenstein-terv Tender Son - The Frankenstein Project Producer (Germany), International sales Cannes 2010 - Competition
2010 Feature Michelangelo Frammartino Le Quattro Volte Le Quattro Volte Producer (Germany), International sales Cannes 2010 - Quinzaine des réalisateurs - Label Europa Cinemas
2010 Feature Cristi Puiu Aurora Aurora Producer (France, Germany), International sales Cannes 2010 - Un certain regard
2009 Feature Stéphane Aubier

Vincent Patar

 A Town Called Panic Panique au village International sales Cannes 2009 - Out of Competition
2009 Feature Jessica Hausner Lourdes Lourdes Producer (France, Germany), International sales Venice 2009 - Competition - Fipresci Award
2009 Feature Shirin Neshat Zanan-e bedun-e mardan Women Without Men Producer (France, Germany), International sales Venice 2009 - Competition - Silver Lion
2009 Shorts collection Various artists Dirty Diaries Dirty Diaries International sales Thessaloniki 2011 - Open Horizons
2009 Feature Shin’ya Tsukamoto Tetsuo: The Bullet Man Tetsuo: The Bullet Man International sales Venice 2009 - Competition
2009 Feature Gaspar Noé Enter the Void Enter the Void Co-Producer (Germany) Cannes 2009 - Competition
2008 Feature Thomas Clay Soi Cowboy Soi Cowboy International sales Cannes 2008 - Un certain regard
2008 Feature Kornél Mundruczó Delta Delta Producer (France, Germany), International sales Cannes 2008 - Competition - Fipresci Award
2008 Feature Ruben Östlund De ofrivilliga Involuntary Associate producer (France),

International sales

 Cannes 2008 - Un certain regard
2008 Installation Shirin Neshat Fazeh Fazeh Producer (France, Germany) ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum 2008
2008 Installation Shirin Neshat Munis Munis Producer (France, Germany ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum 2008
2008 Installation Shirin Neshat Farokh Legha Farokh Legha Producer (France, Germany) ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum 2008
2007 Feature Roy Andersson Du levande You, the Living Producer (France, Germany), International sales Cannes 2007 - Un certain regard
2007 Feature Antonio Campos Afterschool Afterschool International sales Cannes 2007 - Un certain regard
2007 Feature Ulrich Seidl Import/Export Import/Export Producer (France, Germany), International sales Cannes 2007 - Competition
2007 Feature Spiros Stathoupoulos PVC-1 PVC-1 International sales Cannes 2007 - Quinzaine des réalisateurs
2006 Feature Corneliu Porumboiu A fost sau n-a fost? 12:08 East of Bucharest International sales Cannes 2006 - Quinzaine des réalisateurs -

Camera d'Or & Prix Europa Cinema

2006 Shorts collection Various artists Destricted Destricted International sales Sundance 2006, Cannes Critics' Week 2006, Locarno 2006
2005 Feature Ilya Khrzhanovsky 4 4 International sales Rotterdam 2005 - Tiger Award
2005 Feature Kornél Mundruczó Johanna Johanna International sales Cannes 2005 - Un certain regard
2005 Short Ruben Östlund Scen nr: 6882 ur mitt liv Autobiographical Scene Number 6882 International sales Edinburgh 2005 - Best European Short
2005 Feature Cristi Puiu Moartea domnului Lăzărescu Death of Mr. Lazarescu International sales Cannes 2005 - Prize Un certain regard
2005 Feature Carlos Reygadas Batalla en el cielo Battle in Heaven Producer (France), International sales Cannes 2005 - Competition
2005 Installation Shirin Neshat Zarin Zarin Producer (Germany) Gladstone Gallery New York 2005
2004 Feature Jessica Hausner Hotel Hotel Producer (Germany), International sales Cannes 2004 - Un certain regard
2004 Short Kornél Mundruczó Little Apochrypha No. Kis apokrif no. 2 International sales Cannes 2004 - Cinèfondation
2004 Installation Shirin Neshat Mahdokht Mahdokht Producer (France, Germany Hamburger Bahnhof Berlin 2005
2003 Feature Michelangelo Frammartino Il dono Il Dono International sales Locarno 2003 - Jury's Choice
2003 Feature Alain Guiraudie Pas de repos pour les braves Pas de repos pour les braves International sales Cannes 2003 - Quinzaine des réalisateurs
2003 Short Kornél Mundruczó Joan of Arc of the Night Bus Joan of Arc of the Night Bus International sales Cannes 2003 - Quinzaine des réalisateurs
2003 Feature Dagur Kári Nói Albinói Nói Albinói Producer (Germany), International sales Göteborg 2003 - Fipresci Award
2003 Feature Ulrich Seidl Jesus, Du weisst Jesus, You Know International sales Viennale 2003 - Competition - Grand Prix
2003 Short Cristi Puiu Cigarettes and Coffee Cigarettes and Coffee International sales Berlinale 2004 - Golden Bear and European Short Film
2002 Feature Kornél Mundruczó Szép napok Pleasant Days Producer (Germany), International sales Locarno 2002 - Silver Leopard
2002 Short Kornél Mundruczó Little Apochrypha No.1 Kis apokrif no. 1 International Sales Oberhausen 2002 - Ecumenical Jury Prize
2001 Series Stéphane Aubier

Vincent Patar

 Panique au village - Série télévisée A Town Called Panic - Series International sales Annecy 2001 - Grand Prix
2001 Feature Jessica Hausner Lovely Rita Lovely Rita Producer (Germany), International sales Cannes 2001 - Un certain regard
2001 Feature Ulrich Seidl Hundstage Dog Days Producer (Germany), International sales Venice 2001 - Competition - Grand Prix
2001 Short Kornél Mundruczó Afta Afta International sales Kraków 200 - Silver Dragon
2000 Feature Roy Andersson Sånger från andra våningen Songs from the Second Floor Producer (France, Germany), International sales Cannes 2000 - Competition - Jury Prize
2000 Feature Lou Ye Suzhou he Suzhou River Producer (Germany), International sales Rotterdam 2000 - Tiger Award
1999 Short Jessica Hausner Inter-view Inter-view International sales Cannes 1999 - Cinéfondation Award - Special Mention
1999 Feature Takashi Miike Ōdishon Audition International sales Rotterdam 2000 - Fipresci Award
1999 Feature Ulrich Seidl Models Models International sales Sarajevo 1999 - Audience Award
1996 Feature Lars Von Trier Breaking the Waves Breaking the Waves Producer (France, Germany) Cannes 1996 - Competition - Grand Prix
1995 Short Jessica Hausner Flora Flora International sales Locarno 1996 - Leopard of Tomorrw
1995 Feature Lars Von Trier Riget The Kingdom Producer (Germany), International sales Venice 1996 - Out of Competition
1991 Feature Lars Von Trier Europa Europa Associate producer (Germany) Cannes 1991 - Competition - Jury Prize
1990 Feature Ulrich Seidl Good News: Von Kolporteuren,

toten Hunden und anderen Wienern

 Good News International sales Viennale 1990 - Wiener Film Prize
1987 Short Roy Andersson Någonting har hänt Something Happened International sales Clermond-Ferrand 1993 - Press and Special Jury Prize
1987 Series Stéphane Aubier Vincent Patar Pic Pic André Pic Pic André International sales Bruxelles 1989 - Animation Award
1982 Short Ulrich Seidl Der Ball The Prom International sales
1970 Feature Roy Andersson En kärlekshistoria A Swedish Love Story International sales Berlin 1970 - IWG Golden Plaque, Interfilm Award

and Journalists' Special Award

References
  1. Levine, Sydney. "ISA of the Day: Coproduction Office: 3 Festival Films | IndieWire". www.indiewire.com. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
  2. "Council of Europe – Eurimages – co-production history". www.coe.int. Retrieved 2017-08-25.
  3. Variety Staff (2001-05-04). "Philippe Bober". Variety. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  4. "Blickpunkt:Film | News | Coproduction Office als Weltvertrieb und Finanzier". www.mediabiz.de (in German). Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  5. "Sarajevo Talent Campus #3 / 15thSFF". issuu. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  6. Keslassy, Elsa (2014-02-02). "A French-Flavored Nordic Film Market". Variety. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
  7. "Philippe Bober: "I'm interested in art with content"". www.nordiskfilmogtvfond.com. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  8. "Coproduction Office - Katapult Sell Together". www.nordiskfilmogtvfond.com. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  9. Bobeau, Anthony (18 May 2012). "Coproduction Office célèbre 25 ans d'audace".
  10. "Philippe Bober • Seller/Producer". Cineuropa - the best of european cinema. Retrieved 2017-09-20.
  11. "Philippe Bober • Seller/Producer". Cineuropa - the best of european cinema. Retrieved 2017-09-05.
  12. Levine, Sydney. "Cannes 2014 What I Saw #6: Amour Fou | IndieWire". www.indiewire.com. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
  13. "Lovely Rita's Lovely Producer". www.filmfestivals.com. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  14. "Philippe Bober • Vendeur/Producteur". Cineuropa - le meilleur du cinéma européen. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  15. "Cannes – Directors' Fortnight, Le Quattro Volte" (PDF).
  16. Bobeau, Anthony (18 May 2012). "Coproduction Office célèbre 15 ans d'audace". Le Films Français.
  17. "Rossellini Project | Il Cinema Ritrovato". festival.ilcinemaritrovato.it. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
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