UPI Teams With Detlev Buck on German Production

BERLIN – Universal Pictures International is teaming up with German director Detlev Buck (Same Same, But Different) to co-produce his new comedy, Rubbeldiekatz, a Tootsie-style tale of a down-on-his-luck actor who is mistakenly cast as a woman in a big Hollywood film.

The title -- literally rub the cat -- refers to German slang for masturbation.

German A-lister Matthias Schweighofer (Valkyrie) will star alongside Alexandra Maria Lara (Downfall). The film also features Max von Thun, Maximilian Bruckner and Denis Moschitto in supporting roles. The script is based on a story by Anika Decker, who co-wrote German hit comedy Rabbit Without Ears.

Christian Grass, president of international production and acquisitions at UPI, will produce Rubbeldiekatz together with Henning Ferber and Marcus Welke of Berlin-based Film 1 and Buck's Boje Buck shingle.

Rubbeldiekatz is UPI's first German-language co-production. Universal Studios' international division has a three-year distribution deal with local production house UFA Cinema to release UFA titles in Germany.

By producing in country, Universal hopes to tap into Germany's growing market for local lingo product. German titles account for around 30% of the box office take in the territory.

Rubbeldiekatz is set to begin shooting Jan. 3 through February in Berlin, Hamburg and St. Peter Ording.

UPI will release the film in Germany, Austria and Switzerland next winter.