United Artists Films (UAF), the specialised film division of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), has entered into a two year, first-look deal with Revolution Films, the UK-based independent production company headed by director Michael Winterbottom and his producing partner Andrew Eaton.

The deal, which had been anticipated at Cannes this year (Screendaily, May 14, 2000), comes as UAF prepares to release Revolution's The Claim (formerly known as Kingdom Come) towards the end of this year. Set against the background of the gold rush in the Rocky Mountains, the film is a story of love, passion and redemption starring Wes Bentley, Sarah Polley, Peter Mullan, Nastassja Kinski and Milla Jovovich.

The deal was announced by UAF co-heads Larry Gleason, president of worldwide distribution for MGM, and Gerry Rich, president of worldwide marketing for MGM. The Claim had been originated by UAF's soon to close London-based sales division run by Wendy Palmer and Fiona Mitchell, which also negotiated the first look deal with Revolution.

The Revolution deal joins a growing number of producer deals under the UAF stable including Michael Stipe's Self Timer, Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope and New York-based GreeneStreet Films

Eaton and Winterbottom formed Revolution in 1994 and has since produced eight films - Go Now, Jude, The James Gang, Resurrection Man, I Want You, With Or Without You, Wonderland and The Claim. The company formerly had a housekeeping deal with PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, then Universal Pictures International, but that has expired.

Projects on the Revolution development slate include coming of age tale The Day Before You Came written by Frank Cottrell Boyce, Nick Hornby-scripted romantic comedy Fast Forward, Irish-set comedy The Lion Alone to be directed by Marc Evans, and 24-Hour Party People, a look at the 80s music scene in Manchester which Winterbottom is scheduled to direct.