Last week, „FilmFernsehFonds Bayern“ (FFF) decided to grant one of this period’s production subsidies to “Habermann’s Mill”, the latest production of ART-OKO Film GmbH & Co. Filmproduktions KG, co-produced with Entertainment Value Associates GmbH (EVA) and distributed internationally by its subsidiary atlas international Film GmbH. FFF granted a subsidy in the amount of 600,000 Euro. The budget of the film totals about 3,6 Million Euro. The new historical take on a specific period during World War II as well as the outstanding cast attached to the project are of particular interest as "Habermann‘s Mill" is set during a post-war period never focused on to date which became known due to the excessive expulsion in the border area between Germany and Czechoslovakia. "Habermann’s Mill", which is based on the true-story novel by Josef Urban, is a drama tied to the legacy of Sudeten Germans and against the backdrop of a Czech village during World War II. The owner of a local saw mill, August Habermann, is the biggest employer in this village and a respected and wealthy man. He is married to Jana, a young and beautiful Czech woman, who is half Jewish. Although Habermann is not interested in politics or ideology, he and his family are being absorbed by the insanity of war... This powerful human drama will be directed by award-winning director Juraj Herz starting in May, 2009. The cast will include Mark Waschke („Buddenbrooks“), Hannah Herzsprung (“Four Minutes”, European Shooting Star 2008), David Kross („Knallhart“ and „The Reader“), Ben Becker und Franziska Weisz (European Shooting Star 2005).Karel Dirka („Marlene“ and “Forget Mozart“), who will be in charge of production with its Munich-based ArtOko Filmproduktion, is known as an internationally experienced producer. Principle photography in Czechoslovakia will commence in May 2009 allowing the distribution of the title to start before the end of 2009. "EVA’s focus is on the international market place although it is Germany-based as our respective shares in a number of German companies do require these global marketing and distribution activities. We feel confident that – within this high quality combination of the script, cast and team – we will succeed in the international market”, stresses Kai-Roger Grüneke, CEO of EVA. "Even today this part of history is a subject of great controversy. This means for us, as producers, a heightened responsibility to deal with” states Michel J. Vandewalle, EVA’s Head of Business Development.