US-based Myriad Pictures has racked up a string of international sales on Chen Kaige's English-language debut, Killing Me Softly.

The erotic thriller, which stars Heather Graham and Joseph Fiennes, has sold to European distributors including Metropolitan in France, Telepool in Germany, Tri Pictures in Spain and Scanbox in Scandinavia. Other buyers include Jaynet Image Company in South Korea, Prooptiki in Greece, Nu Metro in South Africa and Shapira Films in Israel.

Myriad has also closed in territories including Turkey, the Middle East, CIS and Thailand. Pathe has already boarded for the UK, while Amuse Video took Japanese rights.

MGM is to release the Montecito Pictures film in the US in late 2001. Chen, known for such lavish costume pieces as Farewell My Concubine and The Emperor And The Assassin, kicked off a 12-week shoot kicked off in London in October.