Checkmate - Strategy of a Revolution

Transcription

1 ÉCHEC ET MAT - LA RÉVOLUTION ROUMAINE Checkmate - Strategy of a Revolution by Susanne Brandstätter Producer: Gunnar Dedio LOOKS

2 CHECKMATE, strategy of a revolution Echec et Mat la révolution roumaine Lenght: 52' & 60' Director: Producer: Photography: Editing: Sound: Format: Original Languages: Susanne Brandstätter Gunnar Dedio LOOKS Alex Schneppat Heinz Peter Eckardt Roland Possehl Tobias Frederiasp Roumain, Hongrois,French Delivery: 2004 Partners: Distributor: ZDF-ARTE (Germany) 3sat ORF (Austria) Parallel.40 (Spain) TVR (Hungaria) TELE IMAGES INTERNATIONAL English & German versions The film was selected in the following film festivals: IDFA 2003 (Silver Wolf Competition), Diagonale 2004 (Austria) and INPUT SUMMARY A case history of U.S. foreign policy, propaganda and secret operations: Why the Romanian Revolution had to take place before America could win the Cold War. A new and startling story of international intrigue, involving the reunification of Germany and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Checkmate analyses the events surrounding the Romanian Revolution, revealing for the first time how the superpowers were involved and above all, why. When Ceausescu refused to accept the reforms sweeping Eastern Europe in 1989, the ruthless Romanian dictator unwittingly rushed headlong into his own destruction. Little did he kw of the agreements reached concerning Europe s destiny: though both Bush and Gorbachev pursued their own aims, the two statesmen had come to terms on this question. But then there was the problem of Germany. Mitterrand and Thatcher made a simple stipulation. First Western and Eastern Europe must be united, before the reunification of Germany could take place. As the last of the hard-liners in the Warsaw Pact, only Ceausescu stood in the way If Europe s division should end and Germany was to be reunited, Romania s dictator had to be overthrown. Upon the backdrop of one of the most exciting and moving episodes of history the Romanian Revolution and Ceausescu s overthrow this documentary reveals and exemplifies the workings of power politics.

3 CHECKMATE, strategy of a revolution Echec et Mat la révolution roumaine ZDF-ARTE (Germany) Territories France, Germany all Number of broadcasting unlimited Co-production or pre-sale co-production 15% Number of years 7 window in france 3sat ORF (Austria) Territories Austria all Number of broadcasting unlimited Co-production or pre-sale co-production 19% Number of years 7 TELE IMAGES Territories Row INTERNATIONAL all remaining % on sales 35% Number of years 15 Parallel.40 (Spain) Territories Catalunya Catalunya TVR (Romania) Territories Romania Magyar TV Territories Hungary Duna TV Territories Hungary German TV Territories North America/German language pay/cable Number of years 5 Financial Plan (approximative) 60 ' version ZDF archive ORF archive Duna TVR magyar German TV Parallel 40/TV Media LOOKS TOTAL

4 Susanne Brandstätter Susanne Brandstätter was born in Los Angeles, where she grew up and studied. She spent her third year of university in Paris, completed her degree at State University of California, Northridge in French Literature and Fine Arts. Lived and worked in Paris from Moved to the south of Austria She has been writing and directing for TV since Her documentaries have been sold throughout the world (Europe, South and North America, China) for broadcasting on TV stations and as video editions. Brandstätter w lives and works in Vienna. Selected Films: 2001»The Velocity of Being«, 3sat 2000»Quiet Rebels China s Muslims«, ORF/3sat 1999/2000»A Turn in Time«, ORF/Cinevision 1998/1999»Feng Shui Living in Harmony«, ORF/3sat 1998»The Search Within«, ORF 1997/1998»The Spirit Within«, ORF/3sat 1997»Chinese Healing«, ORF 1996»Devil in the Flesh«, ORF 1996»The Cradle of Voodoo«, ORF 1995»Can Faith Heal?«, ORF 1994»Brother Wolf, Sister Snake«, ORF/BR 1994»The Power of Rituals«, ORF/ZDF 1993»The Trial of Jesus«, ORF 1992»Forgotten Relatives«, ORF/ZDF 1990»Night is Approaching«, ORF 1988»The Day is Yours«, ORF 1987»Ways and Errors«, ORF

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