Optimum Releasing, the indie distributor that flashed its marketing savvy by re-releasing The Third Man opposite Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, has struck a joint partnership with MGM to release Flawless, starring Robert DeNiro and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Optimum and MGM have also partnered for a UK release on Mike Figgis' Miss Julie. Additionally, Optimum is re-releasing Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless (A Bout De Souffle) on its 40th anniversary and has acquired Iranian Oscar nominee Color Of Paradise.

Optimum was formed last year by Will Clarke, who was formerly at UK distributor the Feature Film Co.

"The company is now in the position where it can comfortably release a diversity of mainstream and traditional art-house product with precision in the UK," Clarke said.