Providence pacts for pix

Triple Axel to spin 'Amati Girls'

By CYNTHIA LOGGIA

Providence Entertainment, the company that distributed the surprisingly successful religious-themed feature "The Omega Code," has inked a deal with Triple Axel Prods. for worldwide distribution of five of its films, including the family drama "The Amati Girls."

Pic stars Oscar winners Mercedes Ruehl ("The Fisher King"), Lee Grant ("Shampoo") and Cloris Leachman ("The Last Picture Show"). Triple Axel and Tricor Entertainment's Howard Kazanjian and Craig C. Darian are exec producing. As former head of production for Lucasfilm, Kazanjian was one of the producers of "Return of the Jedi" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

"The Amati Girls" is still in production, and the other four features acquired by Providence have yet to be announced.