Published by: World Tibet Network News ISSUE ID: 97/10/22

By Jon Herskovitz

TOKYO-10/22 (Variety)- Film distribution companies Nippon Herald Films Inc. and Shochiku-Fuji Co. have struck an unusual alliance to bring the movie "Seven Years in Tibet" to Japan.

The two competitors have joined forces to purchase, distribute and promote the film, which will come to about 120 to 130 Japanese theaters starting in mid-December.

The two companies struck the agreement because of the high cost of the film. "I am not sure if there will be any further deals of this sort between us," a spokesman for Nippon Herald said.

Under terms of the deal, the two companies purchased the film on a 50-50 basis. Shochiku-Fuji will be responsible for distributing the film to theaters in the Shochiku theater circuit, while Nippon Herald will handle promotion.

It is highly unusual for two distribution companies to reach a cooperation agreement of this sort.

The spokesman denied media reports in the major Japanese financial daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun that the two companies will cooperate on distributing other major Hollywood films.

One reason the two joined hands on "Tibet" is that the movie stars Brad Pitt. The actor's movies fetch top yen in Japan because of his immense popularity.

Recent films starring Burado-pi, as he is called in Japan, have topped 1 billion yen ($8.33 million) in distribution revenue.

Over the Golden Week holiday season in early May, two Pitt vehicles -- "Sleepers" and "The Devil's Own" -- dominated the Japanese box office.

"Tibet" will unspool in Japan as the closing film Nov. 10 of the Tokyo Intl. Film Festival.