Germany: Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion

Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion
Cologne, Germany
www.gruppe5film.de

Uwe Kersken had just begun studies to become a psychotherapist when he took a job at pubcaster WDR Cologne in 1969, at age 18. Nine years later, he graduated and began a practice in psychotherapy, but his heart was still in film. "I had caught the virus," he says. Since he started Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion in 1989, Kersken's Cologne-based company has become one of the most respected in Germany. It specializes in science, nature and history series, which have aired internationally. "It's good to have international partners for the big series," he says. "For financial reasons, but also it's the goal of any film producer or director to appear not only in his little territory but in many parts of the globe."

Kersken's academic roots are obviously still a big influence, for he credits his success to "a lot of learning" about the film industry, and his team of expert researchers. rr

Recent titles: Masters of Life and Death, Body Farm
Employees: 60-plus
Hours this year: 20
Upcoming includes: The Teutons (ARD), The History of the Jewish People (ARD, ARTE), The Longest Night (ZDF, National Geographic, France 3), The Cultural History of Soccer (ZDF), Life in the Vatican (ARD, ARTE)