December 16, 2000
Variety
Cattleya Breaks From the Herd (excerpt)
by David Rooney

ROME With new investors in place and two high-profile international English-language features ready to roll, Rome-based production stable Cattleya is beefing up its slate in an aggressive bid to become Italy's leading independent audiovisual producer.

At a press conference Dec. 12 in Rome, Cattleya principals Riccardo Tozzi, Marco Chimenz and Giovanni Stabilini announced a 20% boost to company capital, with publishing and media giant De Agostini and powerhouse financial group San Paolo IMI Private Equity each taking a 10% stake.

The cash infusion will be channeled into increased film and television production, covering nine to 10 features in the coming year, with an overall budget of $50 million-$55 million, plus an additional $12 million-$15 million going into small-screen projects. Cattleya has some 30 features in development.

'Game' afoot

Heading Cattleya's production slate for 2001 is the $18 million Liliana Cavani thriller "Ripley's Game" for Fine Line, which goes before cameras Jan. 15 for a 12-week shoot in Italy's Veneto region, Rome and Germany.

John Malkovich steps into the role of Patricia Highsmith's cynical hero, who manipulates an innocent family man, played by Dougray Scott ("Mission: Impossible 2"), into becoming an assassin. Fine Line will release the pic in North America, with Fine Line Intl. handling worldwide rights. Other key cast is due to be announced.

© Variety 2000