The Weinstein Company has acquiredUS theatrical and video rights to Tsui Hark's martial arts epic Seven Swords from Fortissimo Films.

The deal follows a recentsale to Montreal-based distributor Seville Pictures which acquired Canadianrights. Fortissimo has also sold the film widely in Europe.

Produced by Tsui's FilmWorkshop with Chinese and Korean partners, SevenSwords was rolled out across Asia last summer andbecame a major hit in China where it grossed more than $10m. It was also theopening film at last year's Venice International Film Festival.

The film is one of severalAsian titles recently acquired by the TWC including Wilson Yip's Dragon Tiger Gate which also starsDonnie Yen.

"Seven Swords is a dynamic and visibly impressive film with remarkablecinematography and fight choreography and we are excited to be working againwith Tsui Hark and Donnie Yen," said TWC's vice president of Asian acquisitionsand co-productions Bey Logan.

Logan brought the film tothe Weinstein's attention while Barry Littman, executive vice president ofbusiness and legal affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of TWC withFortissimo co-chair Michael J. Werner for the producers along with HowardFrumes from Alexander, Nau, Lawrence, Frumes & Labowitz.