TheEuropean Film Market (EFM) sales of Toei's domestic blockbuster Yamato (Otokotachi no Yamato) are progressing smoothly, with twelve countries lockedin so far. Eastern European deals were among the first closed, including Poland's Vision Films, and Slovenia's Fiviapicking up rights for Eastern Europe. Benelux was the first WesternEuropean territory to purchase distribution rights through A-Film, followed byGreek rights, bought by Odeon. Deals with Scandinavia and major European markets France and Germany are in negotiations, whichToei hopes to finalise by the festivals end on the19th. Sales figures have reportedly been the highest since Toei's best-everselling title, 2000's Battle Royale.

With Yamato's success at home and the Berlin market being the first timethe film has been shown outside of Japan, foreign interest ran high.The Japanese media reported Toei's claims of offers from over 40 countries and100 companies. Some buyers reportedly became interested based on the previoussuccess of Korean war movie Brotherhood(Tae Guk Gi), a smash hit domestically that alsohad strong international sales.

Billedas the largest and most expensive production in Japanese film history, the 3billion yen ($25.5m) World War II epic has grossed over $35m (Y4.2bn) so farand remains in the box office top-10 after 9 weeks. Yamato has recently had its original eight-week theatrical runextended across Japan, with only a slight drop inthe number of screens.

Toeiis also holding market screenings of Underthe Same Moon (Onaji Tsuki wo Miteiru),directed by Battle RoyaleII helmer Kenta Fukasaku and Memoriesof Tomorrow starring Ken Watanabe.