MPI Teams with XYZ Films to Produce Director Richard Raaphorst‘s Frankenstein‘s Army
Berlin (February 9, 2011) – It was announced today that MPI Media Group, LA-based XYZ Films and Pellicola of Amsterdam have entered into a coproduction deal to produce Richard Raaphorst’s FRANKENSTEIN’S ARMY. The production-distribution deal was negotiated by Greg Newman, Executive Vice President of MPI Media Group, parent company of Dark Sky Films, Nate Bolotin of XYZ and Daniel Koefoed of Pellicola. MPI Media Group is financing the production while MPI and XYZ are co-representing international sales rights. Shooting is to begin in the spring in Prague and Amsterdam and will be completed by late fall.
Raaphorst’s Worst Case Scenario stands as one of the great horror films that never was. The Nazi-zombie project whipped up a massive international following thanks to two early promo reels. But due to financing and production difficulties, the project was abandoned in 2009. Now, director Raaphorst will bring his visionary design skills to this new horror movie, to be distributed by MPI/Dark Sky Films in North America.
Director Raaphorst co-wrote FRANKENSTEIN’S ARMY and the film will be produced by Nick Jongerius and Daniel Koefoed (Harry Doright and Dead End) of Pellicola and Todd Brown of XYZ Films. Nate Bolotin, Aram Tertzakian and Nick Spicer of XYZ Films will serve as Executive Producers, and the director of photography will be Gabor Deak (Sextet).
MPI’s Greg Newman, in announcing the production, said: “We are excited to be partnered with XYZ Films and Pellicola in bringing to the screen the next work by one of the truly remarkable filmmakers working today. If the worldwide public clamor for Worst Case Scenario is any indication, Richard’s startling vision for FRANKENSTEIN’S ARMY will thrill viewers everywhere.”
Using shocking vintage newsreel footage as his jumping-off point, Raaphorst has hit on a unique and bold premise. Toward the end of World War II, Russian soldiers pushing into eastern Germany stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed and begun experimenting with the journal of one Dr. Victor Frankenstein. The scientists have used the legendary’s Frankenstein’s work to assemble an army of supersoldiers stitched together from the body parts of their fallen comrades – a desperate Hitler’s last ghastly ploy to escape defeat.
MPI’s Dark Sky Films, known for the large catalogue of respected genre films it distributes, has also become an acclaimed horror producer with such modern highly praised films as, Ti West’s The House of the Devil , Adam Green’s Hatchet II, Jim Mickle’s Stake Land and West’s highly anticipated The Innkeepers, starring Sara Paxton and Kelly McGillis.
About MPI Media Group
The MPI Media Group is a leading producer, distributor and licensor of films, home entertainment, historical footage and more. Founded in 1976, Chicago-based MPI Media Group remains one of the largest independent entertainment companies producing and distributing a compelling slate of the world’s most respected cinema, documentaries, performances and television programs. MPI’s wholly owned subsidiaries include MPI Home Entertainment, Dark Sky Films, and the WPA Film Library. www.mpimediagroup.com
About XYZ Films
XYZ Films is an LA-based film production and sales company founded by partners Nate Bolotin, Nick Spicer, and Aram Tertzakian. XYZ’s production slate includes action-thriller MOTOR CITY to be directed by Ric Roman Waugh; a heist film with Darren Aronofsky (BLACK SWAN) and a crime thriller about automotive maverick John DeLorean with Alex Holmes (“House of Saddam”). Twitchfilm.net founder and Editor-in-chief Todd Brown joined the company in 2009 as a partner and serves as its Head of Acquisitions.
About Pellicola
Pellicola is an Amsterdam-based film and TV production company founded by partners Daniel Koefoed and Nick Jongerius. Pellicola’s production slate includes horrorfilm Dead-End, TV series Sniff the dogg and award winning shorts Brothers Keeper, Harry Doright and The Bug.
About Dark Sky Films
Dark Sky Films is dedicated to the discovery, preservation and production of new and classic horror, sci-fi and cult films from around the world. Based in Chicago, Dark Sky Films is a wholly owned subsidiary of The MPI Media Group – one of the largest independent entertainment companies producing and distributing a compelling slate of the world’s most respected cinema, documentaries, performances and television programs.
CONTACTS:
For MPI Media Group: Daniela Sapkar / 646.644.4418 / daniela.markoska@sapkarpr.com
For XYZ Films: Erik Bright / 310.902.1355 / eb@prodigypublicrelations.com
