In 1996 the CineMart scheduled a total of 1,700 meetings for market participants during the five-day event. This year - before kick-off - Wouter Barendrecht, Sandra den Hamer, Janette Kolkema and their staff are close to 2,000 encounters between representatives and potential co-producers of the 42 projects introduced in the 1997 catalogue. The six productions most in demand - judging from the number of sessions already organised - include:
Purgatory
Dir: Ger Philpott (Ireland). Prod co: Samson Films (Ireland). Prod: David Collins. Budget $1,3 million
Based on an original screenplay by Richard Dormer, Philpott's first feature is described as a dramatic thriller set on a bleak Irisk island in 1919. A series of natural and supernatural events conspire to alter the life of a middle-aged Catholic priest.
Strider
Dir/prod: Sergei Bodrov (C.I.S.). Prod co: Screen Angel Productions (USA), with Krug and Mosfilm (Russia). Budget $2,5 million
From Leo Tolstoy's short story set in Russia at the beginning of the century, Strider follows an old famous horse telling about his life to other horses - a life of love, passion, betrayal and hope. In the end he meets with his old master, who sold him.
The Quarry
Dir/prod: Marion Haensel (Belgium). Prod co: Man's Film (Belgium), with Catalyst Films (South Africa). Budget $1,4 million
"This film cannot be classified in any particular genre. What interests me is to understand and express the pain of human beings, guilty or innocent", said Haensel of her film from Damon Galgut's novel about an assassin, a man of justice and an accused.
Les Mains Tatouees (Tatooed Hands)
Dir/prod: Moufida Tlatli (Tunesia). Budget tba
After her award-winning feature debut, Les Silences du Palais, Tlatli turns to family life in Tunesia. M'hamed opens a prosperous business selling his wife's carpets, but crisis is looming, as she gives birth to two daughters .- and mentally handicapped boy.
Fibra Optica (Fiber Optics)
Dir: Francisco Athie (Mexico). Prods: Erwin Neumaier, Matthias Ehrenberg. Prod co: Fibra Optica (Mexico), with Consorsio Giron, Resonancia an d Dos Producciones (Mexico). Budget $360,000
Described a love story and a thriller, now in post-production, the film is intended to reflect "the current social and political situation in Mexico, illustrating the very obvious, but delicate abuse of power in a modern Latin American 'police' state".
The Gay Detective
Dir: Gerard Stembridge (Ireland). Prod: Ed Guiney. Prod co: Temple Films (Ireland). Budget $2 million
At its first draft stage and supported by the Irish Film Board, Stembridge's second feature (after Guiltrip) follows a young, handsome - and gay - member of the Irish police force, who falls in love with the victim of a brutal 'queer-bashing' ring. JRJ
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