Posted: Thurs., Aug. 26, 2004, 3:21pm PT

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Momento! buys 'Private' rights

Pic has its North American bow at Toronto

ROME -- Pierre Menahem's Paris-based sales company Momento! has acquired all international rights outside Italy to "Private," the drama of a Palestinian family trapped at home by Israeli soldiers that was the big winner at the Locarno Intl. Film Festival.

A first feature shot in digital video by Italo documaker Saverio Costanzo, "Private" recently scooped the Golden Leopard and also Locarno's actor nod. Pic will have its North American bow at the Toronto Film Festival next month.

"Private" is the first fest-winning pickup for Menahem's recently established sales shingle. Menahem, a former longtime international sales chief at Celluloid Dreams, set up Momento! after leaving the French arthouse sales outfit last March.

Produced by Italo state film company Istituto Luce in association with RAI Cinema, Costanzo's low-budget thriller generated lots of interest in Locarno.

Luce topper Luciano Sovena said he chose Momento because the fledgling company had handled Palestinian-Israeli conflict drama "Thirst" (Atashi).

Luce will release "Private" in Italy in coming months.

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