Content spooks Aliens

Content is to handle the UKand US releases of Jake West's Evil Aliens. The £1 million slapstick British horror film will bereleased theatrically in the UK through Content's distribution arm. It will goout in the US as part of Content's deal with Martin W. Greenwald's ImageEntertainment.

Pangs go Universal

Universal Pictures Japan hasacquired all rights for Japan and Korea to the Pang Brothers' $5m horror movie Re-cycle. Hong Kong's Universe Entertainment is handlingsales on the film which it's also co-financing with Thai partners. StarringAngelica Lee Sin-je, Re-cycletells the story of a young writer who discovers that everything we casuallythrow away, including the first draft of her novel, continues to exist inanother world. It was previously sold to Spain's Aurum, the UK's Tartan Filmsand Pathe in France.

Palm In The Real World

Chris Blackwell's PalmPictures and Arthouse Films have acquired North American and Caribbean rightsto Michael Almereyda's documentary William Eggleston: In The Real World. Palm plans an autumn theatrical release forAlmereyda's profile of the renowned photographer followed by home entertainmentrelease on the Palm Pictures/Arthouse Films label.

Locarno on The Rising

Indian epic TheRising starring AamirKhan and directed by Ketan Mehta will have its world premiere as the openingnight film of the Locarno Film Festival in August. One of the most expensivefilms ever produced on the Subcontinent, it is set during the backdrop of thethe 1857 mutiny and portrays the life of freedom fighter Mangal Pandey (Khan)and his British commander William Gordon (Toby Stephens). Capitol Films ishandling sales here.

Binger for Abram

Ex-Rotterdam CineMart bossIdo Abram is to take over as head of Amsterdam-based training outfit, TheBinger Institute, it was announced yesterday. Current Binger head DickWillmesen is due to step down later this summer. Since announcing that he wasleaving the CineMart earlier this year, Abram has set up his own consultancy,The Film Firm, which has been working closely with the Berlin Festival market.

Tomei leads Danika cast

Marisa Tomei is to star in psychological thriller Danikawhich will be produced byRoberts/David Films and Blue Omega. Oscar-winning Tomei plays a woman who haspremonitions of death and disaster. The film is to be directed by Ariel Vromenand produced by Daniel Bickel, Lorena David and Mark Roberts or Roberts/DavidFilms. Michael Urbanski of Blue Omega will be executive producer. Principalphotography will begin in June 2005.

Sola in Love

Germany's Sola Media haspicked up worldwide sales rights to One Love, starring Bob Marley's youngest son Ky-mani Marleyand executive produced by Nik Powell. The Jamaican romcom tells the story offorbidden love between a rasta and a church-going girl set against thebackground of a music competition. The deal was negotiated by Bill Allen fromBaker Street with Solveig Langeland from Sola Media and Beatrix Wesle fromAtrix Films.

Gaga for Pedro

Focus Features has soldJapanese rights for Pedro Almodovar's Euros 9m Volver, starring Penelope Cruz and Carmen Maura, to Gaga inJapan. The film starts shooting on July 4 in Spain.