A German film company which shot two television movies in Bermuda this year has responded to complaints from a local resident that it was allowed to skirt Island laws while pursuing profits on Bermuda's shores.

Polyphon - which makes films for German television - issued a statement saying the company spent $700,000 in Bermuda, despite generous bids for them to film in other Caribbean locations.

“Because of the success of our programme, we have had offers from 13 Caribbean countries to produce the movie on their islands,” wrote Polyphon executive producer Frank Buchs. “For example, the Bahamas offered accommodation for crew and actors free. We decided to shoot on Bermudas.”

Artist Caroline Troncossi spoke out against the company after she had to initiate legal action to collect agreed fees for providing extras to the shooting of the second film.

She said the company was allowed to operate in Bermuda unhampered by work permits and without paying any taxes while employees they contracted were left with no protection.

Mr. Buchs wrote to The Royal Gazette to say the extras Ms Troncossi provided arrived on the shoot drunk and, despite having to later contract extras through another person, Polyphon still paid her through the end of the shoot.

“We didn't work with Ms Troncossi up from the September 14 because we asked her to organise extras for the shooting to present Bermuda at (its) best,” said Mr. Buchs. “She organised her friends and they came drunken to the shooting and asked for more alcohol.”

Meanwhile Mr. Buchs said the film was not made for profit.

“We are producing for German television,” he said. “It is paid for from German taxes. There is no profit from this production.”

He added, the company spent hundred of thousands on accommodations, per diems, catering, location fees, extras, taxis, trucks, yachts, costumes and props.

“The Department of Tourism was very happy that we did two movies on the Island and that we spent, two times, a lot of money on the Island for production,” Mr. Buchs wrote. “Was there any film production (in Bermuda) in the past who did two 90-minute feature films to show Bermuda on a European broadcast?”

Polython shot a movie called “Dreamboat” when they first came to the Island in May. The audience for the German programme which will screen the film is reportedly 12 million viewers in Germany and it will also be broadcast on Swiss and Austrian TV.”

The company then returned to Bermuda this summer to shoot a second love story for German television.

When contacted last night, Ms Troncossi denied her extras arrived at the shoot drunk. She said they were told to arrive for a party scene, and that food and drink would be provided.

When these were not provided, she requested the food and drink be provided.

Ms Troncossi said the major problems were the cultural differences between the Germans and the Bermudians.