Sony Pictures Classics has picked up North American, Mexican,Australian, New Zealand and German rights to Paul Rachman's punk documentary AmericanHardcore.

The AHC Productions picture premiered at Sundance and traces therise of punk from its early 1980s roots to its virtual extinction in 1986.Steven Blush wrote the screenplay inspired by his book American Hardcore: ATribal History.

"Sony PicturesClassics historically likes to celebrate films that define an era, a movement,a subculture," SPC's Michael Barker, Tom Bernard and Dylan Leiner said.

"American Hardcore is the genuine article in every way Ð the authenticity, thestorytelling, the filmmaking."

"It was clear to us that SPC was the best home for AmericanHardcore," Rachmanand Blush, who also both produced, said. "They have a clear understandingof the subculture our film addresses, and can deliver it to a wideaudience."

Barker, Bernard and executive vice president of acquisitions andproductions Leiner negotiated the deal with Diana Holtzberg of Films TransitInternational.

Stephen FBreimer of Bloom Hergott Diemer Rosenthal & LaViolette, and Marc Glick ofGlick and Weintraub provided legal advice to the filmmakers.