New Captain Spies Opportunities
As Oliver Berben takes command at Constantin, he’ll keep an eye out for growth
Oliver Berben didn’t just have idle dreams as a youngster about becoming an astronaut. He was actually working on a career in space by studying aerospace and space technology at a Berlin university well into his 20s.
But after stumbling into the movie industry through a parttime student job as a driver and runner, Berben realized that he had found his calling on the ground — so he gave up on the galaxies. And now, after a quarter century as a down-to-earth producer and executive at Constantin Film, Berben is about to take the controls of one of Germany’s biggest and most powerful production-distribution companies as its chief executive.
“I never would have thought that I’d have the chance to work for this company let alone get into a position to lead it,” Berben, who’s the son of German actor Iris Berben, says. “It still feels a little surreal.”
Making Constantin ready for change is one of his main aims for the German independent as he gets ready to take over from Martin Moszkowicz on March 1.
“We’ve grown fast over the last 25 years to a company that produces and distributes 10 to 15 feature films plus 2,000 hours of TV per year,” says Berben of the company that has more than tripled in size in the last two decades. “My main focus will be to maintain that variety of production and distribution on the one hand, but also try to be as maneuverable as a speed boat — to grasp opportunities that present themselves and to lead the pack, not just follow.”
Berben has worked closely with Moszkowicz as his deputy since 2021 and has worked as Constantin’s board member in charge of TV, entertainment and digital since 2017, and who has produced more than 150 German films in his career.
Berben says he is not planning any radical changes at Constantin with its strong domestic production-distribution footing and success in making major deals in global markets, all underpinned by strong TV revenues.
“I believe in having this combination of possibilities — creating and producing the ideas that we have, or working with partners around the world, and on the other hand, in the German-speaking territories, having the abilities to distribute our own movies in cinemas everywhere. I think that’s a perfect set up for the future. The one thing that gives you access directly to the audience is theatrical distribution. I believe in that. The variety of possibilities in both things — on the development and physical production side and possibility of distribution locally but also internationally in all media, from cinema to streaming to TV to the internet. That’s the key. That is something I want to concentrate on.”
Ferdinand von Schirach, a German criminal defense lawyer and bestselling author, worked closely with Berben at Constantin on turning his books into hit movies, including “Crime Stories” and “Shades of Guilt.”
“Oliver's success is based on his love of stories,” von Schirach says. “That's what's important. He knows them inside out and that's why he understands that there is nothing greater than being able to move a person. It's the only criterion: do we move other people with what we do?
“Oliver and I have now made six series, three feature films and five TV films together. Oliver has never disappointed me, not once.”
Now that he will be taking over, is Berben worried his erstwhile boss Martin Moszkowicz, who will stay on as a producer at Constantin, might end up looking over his shoulder or second-guessing him?
“I think Martin is really happy that he can concentrate on something else,” Berben says. “If he wants to give me his advice, I’d be very happy to get it. I’m happy that he’s staying on at Constantin. Can you imagine if he would be working as a producer but not for Constantin? It’s unthinkable. That was the only thing I asked of him. If you want to work as a producer, fine, but don’t work for anyone other than Constantin.”