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peppermint is a global provider of all genres and formats of programs for the many industry venues: theatrical, television, video, DVD and new media. "pepper" stands for fiery commitment and sharp thinking while "mint" symbolizes fresh ideas and the relaxed attitude needed for creative work. Bold and brash, yet concurrently seasoned and experienced, peppermint's company philosophy blends these qualities together. Our four labels, built on this basis, driving our business forward by bringing a new edge to programming: peppermint, pepperkids, and recently, our latest additions- peppermint productions and peppermint post.

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Main Polish public broadcaster.

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Our approach to documentary filmThe "observational" documentary film technique (also known as cinema verite, fly-on-the-wall or direct cinema) can be best described as "capturing the extraordinary in the ordinary" -- in other words observing daily life and showing the extraordinary things that go on right under our noses. This approach is related to the study of anthropology, in which people are observed over a long period of time. In practise, the filmmaker chooses a character to portray, gets to know them and the people they interact with, follows them around and builds up a portrait that is as honest as possible. The art is in choosing an inspiring character who can communicate naturally in the presence of a video camera.The observational technique avoids voiceovers, interviews and special effects. If done in the right way (with empathy and patience but without irony) the results can be extraordinary. But getting it right is surprisingly difficult -- even though it seems incredibly simple.Fortunately we work with one of the best makers of observational films in Romania, Laurentiu Calciu. Laurentiu studied documentary in Britain's prestigious National Film and Television School (NFTS) in Beaconsfield. Laurentiu has made films in the Scottish highlands, the Greek islands and in Belgrade during the NATO bombing campaign. He won numerous awards for The Land is Waiting.Commenting on a film we made about British aid in Russia, our Russian translator said "I have never seen true Russian life depicted in such a compassionate and realistic way".It is rare for a filmmaker, or cameraman, to be able to film a scene from real life without influencing what is going on. And to make an ordinary scene “come alive” requires a certain magic that few posses.

Progress Film-Verleih was founded in the year 1946 for the distribution of the state-run DEFA-Studio productions and for all films from all countries for East-Germany. While the DEFA Foundation, created at the beginning of 1999, is the owner of all rights, Progress Film-Verleih performs the exclusive worldwide distribution-right in all media for the complete film heritage of the German Democratic Republic.

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