Samuel Goldwyn Films andFireworks Pictures announced today (Jan 30) they will distribute DanIreland's Passionada, aMassachusetts-based romance centred on a Portugese-American family, in NorthAmerica. The picture stars Sofia Milos, who has starred in numerous film andtelevision productions including The Sopranos, Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in HarryPotter And The Chamber Of Secrets,Emmy Rossum, who appears in Clint Eastwood's upcoming Mystic River, and Theresa Russell, whose credits include BlackWidow. Director Ireland's previous pictures include the drama TheWhole Wide World and theromantic-comedy The Velocity Of Gary.

'This is a feel-goodfilm full of charm, merriment, and the heart of Portuguese culture,'Samuel Goldwyn Films president Meyer Gottlieb said in a statement.

'I fell in love withSofia as will everyone else. She reminds me of Julia Roberts from SamuelGoldwyn's Mystic Pizza.' Passionada was written by Jim and Steve Jermanok with a scoreby Shrek co-composer HarryGregson-Williams. Jim Jermanok also served as executive producer.

Upcoming theatrical releasesfrom Goldwyn and Fireworks include Raising Victor Vargas, Interstate 60, Cowboy Bebop and PoolhallJunkies.