Studios shop in Toronto

UA brews 'Coffee,' Sony woos 'Spring'

TORONTO -- United Artists got into the buying game Tuesday in Toronto, acquiring North American rights to "Coffee & Cigarettes," Jim Jarmusch's feature-length series of comic vignettes about life's obsessions, joys and addictions.

Sony Pictures Classics closed its second acquisition deal, locking up North American rights to Korean helmer Kim Ki-duk's reflection on the essence of life, "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ... and Spring," while Newmarket Films snapped up Danish-lingo pic "The Green Butchers," by Oscar-winning helmer Anders Thomas Jensen, its second buy after "Monsters."

"We loaded up at Toronto last year, buying 'Whale Rider,' 'Open Hearts,' 'Lilya 4-Ever' and 'Spun,' so it's funny that we're doing it again," Newmarket Films prexy Bob Berney said at the Toronto Film Festival. "A lot of it is timing, and Cannes was kind of slow."

"Butchers" is a black comedy about two friends who open an organic butcher shop and get creative with the meat. Cast is headlined by Danish thesps Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas, both of whom appeared in last year's "Open Hearts," which was co-written by Jensen and distributed Stateside by Newmarket.

Pic was produced by Kim and Tivi Magnusson of Denmark's M&M Prods.

Deal was brokered by Newmarket's William Tyrer and Berney and Nordisk Film sales exec Sanne Arlo.

U.S. preem in November

"Butchers" has its international premiere Saturday in Toronto in the Discovery section; it was released in Denmark in March. It will have its U.S. preem at the AFI Film Festival in November.

Jarmusch's film, a Smokescreen production in association with Asmik Ace and Bim Distribuzione, was produced by Joana Vicente and Jason Kliot, with Stacey Smith and Gretchen McGowan as co-producers. It world-preemed last week in the Venice Film Festival and segued to a special presentation slot in Toronto.

The black & white film stars an eclectic lineup of the director's friends, colleagues and actors, including many who have appeared in previous Jarmusch pics. Cast includes Roberto Benigni, Iggy Pop, Tom Waits, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Steve Coogan, Alfred Molina, Taylor Mead, Steve Buscemi and musicians RZA and GZA from Wu-Tang Clan and Meg and Jack White from the White Stripes.

The project was begun in 1986.

"Jim and I have worked together before and have been friends for a very long time," United Artists president Bingham Ray said.

"He's a wonderful, innovative filmmaker, and I'm pleased to get the opportunity to work with him again on a film as exciting and interesting as 'Coffee and Cigarettes,' " he added.

"I'm thrilled to have this chance to work again with Bingham," Jarmusch echoed. "United Artists is a great home for the film."

The deal was brokered in Toronto by ICM's Bart Walker, Vicente and Smith for Jarmusch, with Ray, Danny Rosett, Jack Turner and Lindsay Crain handling negotiations for UA. Fortissimo Film Sales is fielding offers for international territories.

"Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ... and Spring," a South Korean-German co-production from LJ Film and Pandora Film Produktion, is a change of pace for Kim, who has forged a reputation for violence and sexuality.

It screened in Toronto's Contemporary World Cinema section.

At least one other U.S. specialty distrib made an offer, with several others expressing interest in the film.

Pic's North American rights were repped by Seoul-based Cineclick Asia.

Design presented

Meanwhile, Toronto execs unveiled the design of the festival's new headquarters -- moving its center south to downtown and away from the Yorkville area that has been its home in recent years.

The Festival Center, slated to open in 2006, is close to two of the festival's marquee theaters, Roy Thomson Hall (home to the galas) and the Elgin.

The center itself will contain five cinemas, with 1,300 seats -- insufficient for the demand at fest time. Exhibitors are looking into building new multiplexes in the area.

The festival has already begun the trek south. The fest offices are at the Delta Chelsea, halfway between Yorkville and the Film Center location.

Fest director Piers Handling has heard the complaints about the Delta Chelsea's distance from the screening rooms and other hotels.

"Cannes is spread out," Handling said. "Berlin is spread out. With big film festivals, you have to travel."

(Brendan Kelly contributed to this report.)