Tartan Films USA has pickedup North American rights to Allan Mindel's award winning directorial debut Milwaukee,Minnesota, starring Randy Quaid andBruce Dern.

Tartan Films US plans a May2005 theatrical release and Tartan Films UK will open it in the UK next monthon Dec 3.

Milwaukee, Minnesota received its world premiere at Slamdance 2003,followed by a slot in Critics Week at the Cannes Film Festival. It centres on apossibly mentally retarded man who must look after himself after his mother iskilled in a hit-and-run accident. Michael Brody and Jeff Kirshbaum produced.

"Allan has created afabulously quirky film with a standout performance by Troy Garity," Tartan FilmsUS chief executive officer MJ Peckos, who negotiated the deal with Mindel, saidin a statement. "It's one of those films that just stays with you and I expecta long life for this film in theatres and beyond."

Mindel started out as anagent in the 1980s and co-founded the model agency Click and the talent agencyFlick. His clients included Uma Thurman, Viggo Mortensen, David Duchovny,Lorraine Bracco, Isabella Rossellini and Kelly Lynch.

Recent Tartan Films USreleases include Bush's Brain, Anatomy Of Hell, and Hillside Strangler. Upcoming releases include Asian hits Old Boy and A Tale Of Two Sisters, and 16 Years of Alcohol, among others.