15/02/2005 - The Finnish Talent House has just signed a deal with the German producers of the critically acclaimed Head On, on the remake of football comedy FC Venus, which will be shot almost simultaneously with its Finnish original

The Finnish production company Talent House has just signed a deal with the German producers of the critically acclaimed Head On [+see also:
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film profile] , Wüste Filmproduktion, on the remake of football comedy FC Venus, which will be shot almost simultaneously with its Finnish original.
FC Venus is the story of a group of women who put together their own football team to challenge their football-fanatic husbands to the game of their life. The Finnish version written by Outi Keskevaari and Katri Manninen will be directed by Joona Tena and will star Minna Haapkylä, Petteri Summaren and Laura Malmivaara. The German version written by Jan Bergen will be directed by Ute Wieland. Both films will start shooting in the Summer 2005 with the Finnish premiere set for January 2006 and the German one for April 2006. Nordisk Film International will handle the international sales of the Finnish film.

During a press conference held in Berlin to announce the deal, Jarkko Hentula, Talent House’s producer of the Finnish version with partner Mikko Tenhunen said: “this kind of instant remake has never been done before to our knowledge, so it feels good to make film history. Wüste is the perfect partner for us. This also proves that exportable ideas and concepts can be created anywhere, even in a small country”. Wüste Filmproduktion’s co-owner and producer Ralph Schwingel also commented: “When Jarkko Hentula told us about FC Venus at the Producers on The Move event in Cannes 2004, my colleagues and I immediately warmed up to the idea. I’m happy about our partnership and very much looking forward to seeing both films”.
For Talent House -part of MRP Matila Röhr Productions, one of Finland’s biggest production companies-this project is part of its strategy to develop exciting new projects from upcoming directors, like their 2003 film Pearls and Pigs (Helmiä ja sikoja). Wüste Filmproduktion’s owners Stefan Schubert and Ralph Schwingel have for their part produced many award winning films including last year’s Berlinale Golden Bear winner Head On (Gegen die wand) directed by Fatih Akin.