International sales agentRai Trade is lining up a major English-language adaptation of Tiziano Terzani'sbest-selling novel, A Fortune-Teller Told Me.

The book recounts thejournalist's experience as a foreign correspondent in Asia, where he waswarned by a fortune teller not to risk flying for a whole year or he would diein a plane crash - so he travelled across the Far East on foot, by boat,bus and train for a year.

Rome-based Rai Trade, whichoptioned the rights to the book from Terzani's widow, is now scoutinginternational producers and co-production partners. The project isexpected to get backing from Rai Trade's parent company, Rai Cinema.

Rai Trade head of salesSesto Cifola said a major international star is expected to be cast in the leadrole.

It is the first time RaiTrade has boarded a project at such an early stage. Cifola said the Rome-basedcompany's decision to option the bestseller's rights was fuelled by itssuccess.

'We want to generatecertain productions we feel are right,' Cifola said.

Meanwhile, Rai Trade hasclosed several deals on its Cannes slate. Pupi Avati's The SecondWedding Night has sold to Spain(Sagrera) and Australia (Palace).

Fire at My Heart, which stars Omar Sharif, has gone to Brazil (Swen),Russia (Soyouz), Australia (Palace), France (Acadra Distribution) andPoland.

Rai Trade's slate alsoincludes Sandro Cecca's The Two Tigers, about abeautiful woman who works as a professional killer butwhose life ischanged during a mission in Shanghai.

It is also selling DeadlyKitesurf by Antonio De Feo, aromantic comedy-thriller about kitesurfing in Kenya that starts shootingin July.

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