Focus Features International (FFI) has picked up international rightsexcluding Spain to Alejandro Amenabar's English-language historicalsaga Agora starring Rachel Weisz.

Agora takes place in fourth century Egypt as the legendary femaleastronomer and philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria fights to preserve theLibrary of Alexandria's collection from civil unrest caused by the riseof Christianity.

Shooting is underway in Malta and Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac, AshrafBarhom, Michael Lonsdale, Rupert Evans and Homayoun Ershadi round outthe key cast.

Amenabar wrote the screenplay with his frequent collaborator Mateo Giland Fernando Bovaira is producing through his Mod Producciones alongwith Amenabar's Himenoptero, in association with Sogecable. Spain'sTelecinco Cinema is co-producing.

FFI sales chief Alison Thompson's Cannes slate includes FernandoMeirelles' festival opener Blindness, Lucrecia Martel's competitionentry La Mujer Sin Cabeza (The Headless Woman), Jim Jarmusch's TheLimits Of Control and Andrew Fleming's Sundance hit Hamlet 2.

Amenabar's first English-language film was The Others in 2001.

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