New York-based independentWellspring has acquired US rights to Dans Ma Peau, the controversial directorial debut of Marina deVan which world premiered at last year's San Sebastian Film Festival.

De Van, who co-wrote 8Women and Under The Sand with Francois Ozon and starred in his films Sitcom and See The Sea, also stars in the film about a happy and successful young PR assistantwho becomes obsessed with her own body after falling and gashing her leg at aparty.

Wellspringplans to release the film at the end of this year in US theatres, followed by avideo and DVD release in 2004. "Marina de Van is at the forefront of a new generation of bold andprovocative French directors such as Francois Ozon and Gaspar Noe," saidWellspring acquisitions head Marie Therese Guirgis. "This is a brilliant andfearless film which I can honestly say is like nothing I've seen before."

Guirgisconcluded the deal for the film with Pierre Menahem of Paris-based sales companyCelluloid Dreams during the Rendez-vous With French Cinema event in New YorkCity.