Semtex Films
Semtex Films is a production company founded by American entertainer Madonna. It was founded in 2006 and is involved in the production of motion pictures and television relating to the singer.
History
Semtex Girls, a limited company, was established in the UK in 2006 by Madonna. Initially she refused to mention what the company would be used for. The singer uses the name to describe her three assistants. She explained, "The Semtex Girl is a girl who is dynamic, a girl who explodes, who doesn't know the meaning of nine to five, a girl who is unstoppable and who doesn't take no for an answer. And has excellent taste." "Guys can be Semtex Girls too."
The company has evolved into a production company, Semtex Films, with its first production being the TV Special Madonna: The Confessions Tour - Live from London in 2006. The company is mainly used for the production of Madonna-related material.
Name controversy
Explosia which owns the rights to the trademark, Semtex, launched legal action on 27 February 2006, to PReVENT Madonna from misusing its most valued and internationally known asset. Ladislav Lehky, director of the Research Centre for Industrial Chemistry, which owns the state-owned company, Explosia said "She never asked our permission to use the name Semtex" The firm cancelled plans to sue her for copyright infringement as they claimed to own the international rights to the name but axed plans for a costly court case. Lehky said, "Madonna uses the name for pure promotional purposes. We can't really prove that we suffer a loss from that."
Productions
- I Am Because We Are (2008) — documentary about the orphans of Malawi, written and produced by Madonna.
- Filth and Wisdom (2008) — motion picture, directorial debut and written by Madonna.
- The Confessions Tour - Live from London (2006) — Madonna TV special broadcast on NBC in November 2006, directed by Jonas Åkerlund.