It may have had threedifferent directors and an immensely complex birth, but bloodcurdling Kazakhepic Nomad has caught buyers' hearts.The $35m epic, which received its international premiere in Locarno's Piazza Grande at the weekend, has been bought in anumber of international territories.

In France, Nomadwill be co-distributed by Rezo and Wild Bunch. Benelux rights have been taken by Paradiso, Freneticis handling the Swiss release, Telepool will releaseNomad in Germany, and multiple other territories have also been soldon the film, billed as the Kazakh CrouchingTiger, Hidden Dragon.

The Weinstein Company, whichhas taken rights for North America, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, is likely to release the film in English, thelanguage in which it was originally delivered. However, in most otherterritories it will be released in Kazakh. 'We think it increases theexoticism,' Vincent Maraval of sales agent WildBunch commented.

'There were times whenI didn't think Nomad would ever see the light of day,' director IvanPasser told ScreenDaily.com.'That it did was a miracle.'

The Kazakh Government fundedthe project, which started shooting in autumn 2004 with Passer at the helm anda budget of $20m. Almost the entire budget was spent before the film wascompleted. The Kazakh Government then provided extra funds, enabling Russiandirector Sergei Bodrov tofinish the project. Local director Taigat Temenov, who oversaw the dubbing, is also credited.

Passer has given Bodrov's cut his blessing. 'I am very glad that it wasBodrov who did it. He is a very good director and hedid a good job.'