France's Films de L'astre has acquired local distribution rights to Honolulu Baby, the latest feature from cult Italian actor-director Maurizio Nichetti. RAI Trade, which is handling worldwide rights, has also sold the film to Greece and all other French-speaking territories.

Honolulu Baby is a Mr Bean-style comedy about an engineer who escapes from his monotonous life to undertake a mission in a remote, exotic location where he is surrounded by beautiful women. On his return to Italy, however, he finds his wife in love with him and ready to follow him to the other end of the world. The film stars Maria de Medeiros and Jean Rochefort.

Nichetti's comedy, which will be presented to buyers at the AFM on February 21, marks a return to the screen for Alberto Columbo, the endearing engineer who appeared in the director's 1980s hits Ho Fatto Splash and Ratataplan, winning him a cult international following.