Czech crews have been busy this autumn on French-Czech co-production Crossing Lines. The TV drama follows a special crime unit that hunts down criminals across Europe.
“Every week we shoot a new script, and with it, new locations, directors and actors,” says co-producer David Minkowski, head of production at Stillking Films in Prague. “The pace is very fast and it’s like working on 10 different movies sometimes.”
Why did the producers choose to shoot in the Czech Republic?
David Minkowski: As always these days, it was between Prague and Budapest. Tandem Communications, the German producing company, had previously made two films in Budapest and had a very good experience. But they chose Prague this time because they felt it was better for the project – locations and so on. But if we hadn’t secured the rebate for the production, they would have gone back to Hungary.
What sets have you built and where?
Our main set is an amazing cavernous headquarters of the elite police investigative team our story follows. It’s meant to be inside the International Criminal Court in The Hague. It was built by Barrandov Construction and sits at Barrandov Studios.
What locations have you used?
We really have shot everywhere. From Mariánské náměstí to the sewers in Dejvice to Chateau Dobříš, and of course our base is at Barrandov Studios. Outside the Czech Republic, we shot a few weeks in Paris and Nice. It’s always good to get out of the wintry Prague cold for a few weeks and see the Mediterranean.
Does the Czech Republic double for other locations?
It plays itself in some episodes. But also Paris, Berlin, Vienna, parts of Italy, and the Netherlands. The story takes place all across Europe.
How big is the production?
The crew all together is about 150 people, most of whom are Czech. As it is a French co-production, we also have a lot great French crew, and actors from all across Europe. We’re shooting 80 days. We started in October and we finish in February 2013. The Czech spend is approximately €10 million (CZK 252 million).