Fortissimo Films has made its first ever German acquisition, picking up worldwide rights outside Germany, Austria and Switzerland to Doris Dorrie’s The Hairdresser.

Starring Gabriela Maria Schmeide, the film started shooting last month and is scheduled for completion by January 2010. Constantin Film is set to give it a theatrical release in the first quarter of next year.

Set after the fall of the Berlin wall, the film follows a single mother who lands a job as manager at a hairdressing salon. But when the new boss insults her as soon as she arrives, she decides to open her own salon across the street.

The deal was brokered by Fortissimo managing director Nelleke Driessen and acquisitions consultant Ellis Driessen with Collina Filmproduktion’s Ulrich Limmer. Limmer produced the film with Constantin Film’s Martin Moszkowicz as executive producer. The screenplay is by Laila Stieler.

Dorrie’s last feature, Cherry Blossoms, screened in competition at the Berlin Film Festival and was one of the most successful German films in 2008.

Munich-based Collina has also produced My Magical Friend Sams (2003); Cheeky Girls (2008) and Lippel’s Dream (2008). Before founding the company, Limmer received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for 1992 comedy Schtonk!

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