Mehta's 'Earth' moves

Zeitgeist to distribute pic

By MONICA ROMAN

Zeitgeist Films, which in 1997 distributed Deepa Mehta's "Fire," has acquired the Indian director's "Earth," the second in a trilogy that began with "Fire."

"Earth," which screened at the 1998 Toronto Intl. Film Festival, is set in 1947 on the brink of India's independence. It follows an 8-year-old girl growing up in a wealthy, nonpartisan family who witnesses the deep divisions between the country's Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus.

Based on Bapsi Sidhwa's autobiography, "Cracking India," pic stars Aamir Khan and Nandita Das.

Founded a decade ago by Emily Russo and Nancy Gerstman, Zeitgeist owns films by such renowned directors as Atom Egoyan, Todd Haynes, Peter Greenaway, Derek Jarman, Yvonne Rainer and Benoit Jacquot.