Celluloid Dreams has pickedup international sales rights on Deepa Mehta's Water which is the opening night film at the TorontoInternational Film Festival on Sept 8.

Cellulloid managing directorCharlotte Mickie told Screendaily.com the company has already closed deals withGolem for Spain, Rosebud for Greece, Australia's Dendy Films and Universum Filmin Germany.

The film's originalproduction was shut down before it could begin shooting in India in 2000; a newproduction with a new cast lead by Bollywood superstars Lisa Ray and JohnAbraham, filmed in Sri Lanka in 2004.

Set in 1938 India, Water tells the story of a young widow (Ray) who defiesreligious stricture when a husband dies, the woman is considered half-deadand must remove herself from society - by falling in love with another man(Abraham).

The film is produced byMehta's long-time partner David Hamilton in association with LA-based EchoLake, which has US rights. John Sloss' Cinetic Media will be brokering the USdeal.

Backers include TelefilmCanada, the Harold Greenberg Fund, and Canadian movie channel First Choice.Hussain Amarshi's Toronto-based Mongrel Media is releasing the film November 4in Canada.

Mickie said the company isin negotiation with several other territories and expect to close many inToronto. She said the presence of Ray and Abraham were an added attraction forbuyers in countries with large Indian communities.

"Deepa's films have soldreally well all over the world, and there's a lot of awareness the problemsthis production faced," said Mickie. "But beyond that she's a trulyimportant international director. Canada should be very proud."