Fiveyears after Miramax bought a slew of rights including US to Wisit Sasanatieng'sThai western Tears Of The Black Tiger,the company has sold US rights to Magnolia Pictures.

TearsOf The Black Tiger was the first Thai filmto be accepted at Cannes and went on to become a major draw at the 2001festival. It was sold by Fortissimo Films.

Magnoliahas set a Jan 12, 2007 release of the original, uncut version of the storyabout a bandit who pursues his sweetheart despite the efforts of his own gangand the woman's wealthy father. The film will open at New York's Film Forum andexpand nationwide.

"TearsOf The Black Tiger is an amazing stylistictriumph," Magnolia president Eamonn Bowles said. "It's one of thoseexceedingly rare films about which can be said: 'There's truly nothing likeit.'"

Magnolia'shead of acquisitions Tom Quinn and head of business affairs Jason Janegonegotiated the deal with Miramax' vice president of business affairs RosalindLawton and vice president of acquisitions Peter Lawson.