Cow on the Run
Cow Yvonne set for Hollywood –
from Abattoir to ‘Moo’vie Star!
PRESS RELEASE
Hollywood producer Max Howard, Munich based Papa Löwe Filmproduktion together with Torsten Poeck and UK-based writer/producer Kirsty Peart announce the development of the animated/partly animated family feature film, Cow on the Run, in collaboration with Gut Aiderbichl. The true story of Germany’s most wanted, Yvonne, the bovine bandit from Bavaria, is to be brought to Hollywood and the international markets by an international team of award-winning animators, writers and producers – and with the exclusive support of Gut Aiderbichl, Europe’s largest animal sanctuary and now the home of Yvonne, providing her with a peaceful place to recover from her months on the run!
PRODUCER CONTACT in Germany: TORSTEN POECK
poeck@cloupartners.de
T: +49 (0)89-309048454
PRODUCERS in United Kingdom: KIRSTY PEART
kirsty@gritstoneentertainment.com
T: +44 (0)1433 670203
MAX HOWARD
Max@maxhoward.net
Office: + 1 407 808 5200
Cell U.S.: + 1 818 434 7578
U.K. + 44 (0) 7505 246662
The True Story of Yvonne, the Bovine Bandit from Bavaria
When Yvonne went on the run to escape her date at the abattoir, she became an international sensation from the moment she leapt the electric fence to freedom. The nation went wild following her rebellious bid for freedom and the world held its breath as Yvonne outwitted desperate Bavarians armed with telescopic sights, a helicopter equipped with thermal-imaging gear, an animal tracker whose skills were honed on the African savannah, and the searching eyes of police, fortune-seekers and bounty-hunters after the huge $10,000 reward on her head. She was literally WANTED – DEAD OR ALIVE!
Animal activists rallied as far as India where the holiness of cows was cited. Facebook groups rallied and the Gut Aiderbichl sanctuary tried gentler methods to lure Yvonne back into captivity: from tethering her sister, Waltraud, in the forest, to playing out the bellows of her son, Friesi, on giant speakers in the trees. Not even the magnetism of a bull called Ernst, so attractive he’s been dubbed ‘the George Clooney of bulls’, could woo her out of the woods with his ‘deep baritone moo’.
Her ability to evade capture brought her fame beyond even the wildest of bovine dreams. A song by a band called Gnadenkapelle played incessantly on radio stations. "Why don't you leave Yvonne alone, she's only a runaway cow... You wild cow, don't let them take your freedom…"
Meanwhile the world continued to tweet, twitter and Facebook in fun, awe and fascination desperate to know the truth of Yvonne’s story – why did Yvonne escape and how was a domestic animal surviving in the wild for several months?
The world’s FIRST SOCIAL NETWORK COW was born… Yvonne was a star.
And this is the movie of her ‘udderly’ wonderful adventure… straight from the cow’s mouth.
THE PARTNERS
THE SANCTUARY
Gut Aiderbichl is the largest animal sanctuary in Europe, giving respite and a home to more than 2000 rescued animals on 20 different farms and, significantly, the chance to live until the (natural) end of their days. Founder and soul of Gut Aiderbichl is Michael Aufhauser, who is personally living and driving the Gut Aiderbichl philosophy. Gut Aiderbichl and Michael Aufhauser played an important role to enable a happy end to Yvonne’s escape, including the reunion of Yvonne with her sons Friesi and Orky on the farm.
THE PRODUCERS
Munich-based, award-winning animation producer, Irina Probost, from Papa Löwe Filmproduktion GmbH and film financier / producer Torsten Poeck have teamed up with Los Angeles-based Max Howard and UK-based producer/writer Kirsty Peart and her writing partner Jess Kedward.
MAX HOWARD created and ran studios for Disney in London, Paris, Orlando and Los Angeles, working on some of Disney’s most memorable films including WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN and THE LION KING. As President of Warner Bros. Feature Animation he oversaw such hit movies as THE IRON GIANT and SPACE JAM. At DreamWorks, he was co-executive producer for SPIRIT, STALLION OF THE CIMARRON. Max Howard most recently produced the animated feature film Igor for Exodus Film Group. Max has previously collaborated with COW ON THE RUN writers, Kirsty and Jess on Exodus’ upcoming animated feature film, THE HERO OF COLOR CITY.
“This project, COW ON THE RUN, realised by utilizing a combination of live action and animation, provides the perfect platform to bring Yvonne’s unique and extraordinary story to life.” Max Howard
IRINA PROBOST is an independent Munich based producer and known for her impressive animation work on Janosch’s HOW BEAUTIFUL IS PANAMA, TIGERDUCK- GANG - THE MOVIE and TV series DADDY LION AND HIS HAPPY CHILDREN and THE TIGERDUCK- GANG, ISLAND STORIES, ANTJE AND FRIENDS. The much-loved COME, WE WILL FIND A TREASURE is soon to be theatrically released. Irina, among others, has been nominated for the German Film Prize and awarded with “Der goldene Spatz”, “Prix Jeunesse International”, “Cannes Lions 2010 - Gold Lion”, “Gold Clio Award 2010” for her animations.
TORSTEN POECK, as managing partner of Clou Partners GmbH, has been involved in the financing of more than 20 international pictures, among them many international successes. As a shareholder of the recently formed The Manipulators GmbH, a joint venture of sales agents Celluloid Dreams, Studio Babelsberg and Clou Partners, Torsten saw their first project CHICKEN WITH PLUMS in competition in Venice 2011 with release in Germany in January 2012. Since 2005 Torsten, as active shareholder, has been involved in Shotgun Pictures, a production company of international low budget movies like OPEN WATER 2, PRINCESS (Cannes, Directors’ Fortnight), SUELY IN THE SKY (Venice and Toronto) or the recent documentary VOODOO.
KIRSTY PEART is a UK-based writer and producer. Her current production work in development includes live action/CGI feature film and finalist of 2010 ReAnimate Scheme, A NIGHT AT THE FLICKS, based on the world of Subbuteo, producing with multi-award winning producer Mark Herbert at Warp Films (SUBMARINE; THIS IS ENGLAND; FOUR LIONS); teen sci-fi thriller THE RETURNED written by Andy Walker supported by Screen Yorkshire and finalist in TRIANGLE 2011; comedy SHOOTING OSAMA with Christopher Figg (WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN; COREOLANUS) and Torsten Poeck (CHICKEN WITH PLUMS), directed by award-winning comedian, writer and director Henry Naylor (HEADCASES). Previous work for TV, film and commercials includes Working Title TV pilot CUL DE SAC starring the NavelGazing group; HBO comedy channel pilot MORNING RELIEF; THE WITCHCRAFT CONSPIRACY, feature film in development with Margaret Matheson & Little Wing, selected by Moonstone and EAVE.
WRITERS
J KEDWARD AND K PEART
Writers, story and concept developers across all platforms including TV, film, commercials, theatre, mobile and internet content, with a strong focus on comedy and children’s entertainment, they have been working together since performing / writing for Cambridge University’s Footlights Comedy Troupe. Currently developing an original animated TV series with a major U.S. studio for the tween market. Also writing on CASPER SCARE SCHOOL for Cartoon Network, with Classic Media/Moonscoop and TF1. TV credits on international hit shows ANGELINA BALLERINA and THOMAS AND FRIENDS (HIT Entertainment). Live action / CGI family feature film A NIGHT AT THE FLICKS - finalist ReANIMATE Scheme 2010, run by Warp Films, Birds Eye View, UK Film Council and SkillSet. With Warp Films and producer Mark Herbert (SUBMARINE; THIS IS ENGLAND). Promoted in Cannes 2011. Co-writers on children’s animated feature film THE HERO OF COLOR CITY, in production at Exodus Film Group (IGOR), produced by John Eraklis and Max Howard. Other commissions and credits with Disney, HIT Entertainment, HBO Online, Exodus Film Group, Klasky-Csupo and UK independent companies.
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Cow on the Run is slated for a 2014 release.
View the Cow On The Run website here
