03/30/01 Inside

March 30, 2001
Inside.com
Daily Scoop
MIRAMAX TALKING CODE-BREAKER FILM
Friday, March 30 08:40 p.m.

Miramax is close to acquiring distribution rights to Enigma, the World War II period piece produced by Mick Jagger and Lorne Michaels and financed by Intermedia Films and Senator Entertainment. The mini-major, which was one of at least three bidders for the film, is in negotiations to buy North American rights as well as several overseas territories, including the UK. Paul Cohen and Julius Nasso's upstart Manhattan Pictures International and Paramount Classics had previously made bids for Enigma, which stars Kate Winslet and Dougray Scott as British code-breakers. Michael Apted directed film found no takers when it debuted at January's Sundance Film Festival, but after getting a positive notice in Daily Variety, several distributors gave the $30 million-budgeted film a second look. A Miramax spokesperson could not be reached for comment; William Morris agent Cassian Elwes, who is representing the film, confirmed only that he was in negotiations with the company.