Niki Caro's The Vintner's Luck has been pre-sold to Icon for the UK and Dendy for Australia and New Zealand.

The film is Caro's next project after 2002's Whale Rider and 2005's North Country. The story follows a wine-maker in 19th century France who has an unusual relationship with an angel.

International sales are being handled by Kathleen Drumm of NZ Film.

As Screen reported earlier this week, Ascot Elite has already taken Swiss rights.

Caro wrote the screenplay with Joan Scheckel, based on Elizabeth Knox's novel.

'This was such a beautiful script - both moving and profound - and the material could not be in better hands. Icon UK is very excited to be part of this movie' said Mark Gooder, president of acquisitions at Icon.

Andrew Mackie, general manager of Dendy, added: 'We are thrilled to be working with Niki, Laurie and all The Vintner's Luck team on realizing what is simply one of the best scripts we have ever read. We are also excited to be working with our friends at NZ Film once again.'

Caro starts principal photography in February 2008 in Auckland before moving to France and Belgium. Jeremie Renier, Gaspard Ulliel, Vera Farmiga and Keisha Castle-Hughes will star.

The New Zealand-France co-production is backed by the New Zealand Film Production Fund, the New Zealand Film Commission, the Motion Investment Group of Belgium, OLC Rights Entertainment of Japan, and Kortex Cinema of France. Ascension-Kortex are co-producing. Producers are Laurie Parker, Robin Laing, Niki Caro, Pascal Judelewicz, Ludi Boeken, and Jean-Francois Klein.

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