Edward Berger's The 39 Steps

Currently in the finishing stages, Berger’s All Quiet On The Western Front is a particularly compelling project. This is a new take on the 1929 novel by Erich Maria Remarque which was also the source material for the eponymous 1930 Best Picture Oscar-winner. The film, shot in German, stars Daniel Brühl and Albrecht Schuch and follows a young soldier’s terrifying experiences during World War I. Kosse says that doing it in German “has made it a transformative experience.”

Berger, he surmises, likely couldn’t have gotten All Quiet On The Western Front made elsewhere at the budget level that’s gone into the project. While Kosse won’t be led as to what the exact spend is in EMEA on an annual basis, he says he has “an envelope” within which to work. Along with the marquee titles, local teams in each country are striving to make between five and 10 smaller additional films. “The primary effort is to try to have a balanced slate that combines with local scripted series, documentaries and stand-up,” he explains.

The company is also finding repeat business with talent. Berger is working with Netflix on limited series The 39 Steps, a star vehicle for Benedict Cumberbatch.