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Producer Karl Spoerri commutes between LA and Zurich. He brings Helen Mirren to Switzerland for his new project.
He lives the American dream: Karl Spoerri is a film producer in Hollywood. “G&G” host Joel Grolimund meets Karl Spoerri at a movie theater on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica.
It’s still one of the old cinemas, he explains. You could compare it with the Filmpodium in Zurich, where old classics are still shown. He himself has had some excellent screenings in this cinema.
Obviously – because Spoerri co-produced a film that could win two Oscars on Sunday. Annette Bening is nominated for Best Actress and Jodie Foster is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for “Nyad”.
But he doesn’t want to claim false laurels for this. A film is always a collective thing. According to the producer, there are numerous others who have done significantly more with this film.
Latest production with Helen Mirren
With another project, Spoerri is bringing Hollywood glamor to Switzerland. The production “Switzerland” takes place in Zurich and Ticino and is biographically inspired. It’s about Patricia Highsmith, who is played by British actress Helen Mirren.
Spoerri says: “We always try to bring Hollywood to Switzerland and do things that are a little special or that are perhaps less seen in our country.”
It’s always a small miracle when a film comes together at the end.
Filming on “Switzerland” is scheduled to begin in the fall. Until then, Spoerri will take care of the filming preparations, the various locations and the financing of the project.
A partner from the public sector is needed. He says: “It’s still a long road and always a small miracle when a film comes together at the end.”
Co-founder of the “ZFF”
Karl Spoerri once co-founded the Zurich Film Festival and served as director for 15 years. Three years ago he handed over this operational position to Christian Jungs and now sits on the board of directors.
He made this decision consciously: “At some point it was time to start something new. After 15 years, the work becomes a little redundant and you’re happy when you can tackle new challenges.”
Legend:
Karl Spoerri was director at the ZFF for 15 years.
Getty Images / Andreas Rentz
The “ZFF” was a door opener for Spoerri. It was useful to know other producers and filmmakers and to be able to develop film-wise accordingly.
Despite this advantage, contacting Hollywood stars is not that easy to imagine. “I can’t just call and they say: ‘Yes, I’ll do it for you, Karl.’ Such projects sometimes take years.” At the end of the day, it’s always a long road and, as with the “ZFF”, it always takes a little luck, says the 51-year-old.
Legend:
Karl Spoerri with his wife Viviana Vezzani.
Getty Images / Andreas Rentz
Karl Spoerri commutes between his work in Los Angeles and Zurich. With his partner, whom he met at the ZFF, he runs the film production company Zurich Avenue in Switzerland. They are used to working together. “We don’t know any different. It is wonderful.”