First Look Pictures hasacquired domestic rights to Bille August's latest film A Song ForMartin and will open the film inspring, after a one-week awards qualifying run in December last year.

The Swedish-language film isa love story featuring the late Viveka Seldahl and her real-life husband SvenWollter. Seldahl plays a symphony violinist who falls in love with aworld-renowned composer. It was produced by Lars Kolvig, Michael Obel andAugust and adapted from the novel Boken Om E by Ulla Isaksson.

A Song For Martin won six Swedish Film Award nominations this weekincluding nods in the best film, director, actor and actress categories; it wassurprisingly not chosen as the Swedish choice for best picture at the AcademyAwards - that honour went to Jalla! Jalla! - but has nevertheless marked a triumphantreturn to Nordic film for August after two English-language pictures LesMiserables and Smilla'sSense Of Snow. August of course isthe celebrated Danish Oscar- and Palme d'Or-winner with credits includingPelle The Conquerer, The BestIntentions and Jerusalem.

First Look is coming off thehuge specialized success of its Italian heartwarmer Bread And Tulips which grossed over $5m last year; also set forrelease in 2002 are Chris Eyre's Skins which is premiering at the Sundance Film Festivalnext week, and Kasmia Adamik's Bark which is in dramatic competition at Sundance.

The deal was negotiated byMJ Peckos, president of First Look Pictures, with Adam Krentzman of CAA onbehalf of the film-makers.