Shochiku hastaken Japanese rights to Richard Attenborough's Closing The Ring, in a deal here at the AFM withContentFilm International.

ContentFilm also has closed deals on the film with Hopscotch in Australia, TeleMunchen in Germany, Alliance Atlantis/Odeon in Canada, A-Film in The Netherlands, Lusumundo in Portugal, Monolith in Poland, Gussi in Mexico, Paris in Brazil, PCV in Greece, Nu-Metro in South Africa, and Paradise in Russia.

The epic lovestory, set in 1991 and World War II, stars Shirley MacLaine, ChristopherPlummer, Mischa Barton, Neve Campbell, Pete Postlethwaite and Brenda Fricker.

"We're veryproud that Shochiku have been as moved as we have by this wonderfully emotionaland romantic epic," said Jamie Carmichael of ContentFilm.

Kaz Moriguchifrom Shochiku added: "We're honoured to work with Lord Attenborough and welook forward to welcoming him to Japan."

ContentFilm isnow showing a new extended 13-minute teaser at the AFM.