Weinsteins, IFC pact

TWC enlists in war drama

By IAN MOHR

The Weinsteins and IFC picked up French war pic 'Indigenes' prior to Toronto fest.

The Weinstein Co. and IFC Films have teamed to acquire the French drama "Indigenes" ("Days of Glory"), screening in the Toronto Film Festival next month.

Move marks the second Toronto-bound pic TWC has plucked prior to the fest. It recently closed a pact to acquire world rights to the docu "Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing," which has a Gala slot at Toronto.

Rachid Bouchareb-helmed WWII drama "Indigenes," starring Jamel Debbouze, Samy Naceri, Sami Bouajila and Roschdy Zem, follows four North African soldiers enlisted in the French Army -- along with 130,000 other "indigenous soldiers" -- to liberate Gaul.

Bouchareb penned the screenplay with Olivier Lorelle.

Pic, which won two awards at Cannes, was produced through the Tessalit Prods. banner.

Weinstein Co. recently upped Maeva Gatineau and Michelle Krumm to co-head its acquisitions dept.

TWC and IFC previously teamed to roll out pics including "Wordplay" and "Transamerica."