Sony Pictures Classics haspicked up Free Range Films' The Mother for North American distribution.

The film which reunites Buddha Of Suburbia team -director Roger Michell, writer Hanif Kureishi and producer Kevin Loader - iscurrently in post-production following a six-week shoot on location in London.The story of a recently bereaved woman who embarks on a passionate affair witha man half her age who is sleeping with her daughter, The Mother starsAnne Reid, Daniel Craig, Cathryn Bradshaw, Steven Mackintosh and Peter Vaughan.

"This combination of talent and expertise forSony Pictures Classics is a can't miss," said Sony Pictures Classics'co-president Michael Barker, who negotiated the deal with Angus Finney forsales agent Renaissance Films and Jane Wright for BBC Films. The film is fullyfinanced by BBC Films.

Notting Hill director Michell's latest film, ChangingLanes, starring Ben Affleck and Samuel L Jackson, was a hit in the US andwill open in the UK on November 1.

Crew includes director of photography Alwin Kuchler (MorvernCallar, Ratcatcher), and production designer Mark Tildsley (24Hour Party People). Executive producers are David M Thompson, TraceyScoffield, Finney and Stephen Evans.