'Osama' pic laden with distrib deals

Pic snapped up in U.K., Spain and Ex-Soviet Union

By DEBRA JOHNSON, JOHN HOPEWELL

The U.K.'s ICA and Spain's Alta Films have snapped up U.K. and Spanish rights, respectively, to "Osama," Siddiq Barmak's acclaimed portrait of religious fanaticism and misogyny under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Cinema Without Frontiers has taken rights to ex-Soviet Union countries. With North American rights to "Osama" snapped up Saturday by United Artists, pic is practically sold out in major territories worldwide since its preem in the Directors Fortnight at Cannes.

According to Swipe Films' Frank Mannion, who sold the pic, sales to Scandinavia and Australia looked near closing Tuesday.

Following the experiences of a girl who disguises herself as a boy to find work, "Osama" won honorable mention from the Camera d'Or jury.

The "Osama" pickup was the third for Alta at Cannes, following the acquisition for Spain of Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 911" and Austrian Ruth Mader's Un Certain Regard player "Struggle."