*Red Violin, Last Night close to U.S. deals

At press time, Rhombus Media producer Niv Fichman says his company ‘is really close’ to finalizing u.s. distributor deals for both The Red Violin and Last Night. That this is happening is no surprise but a bit of a relief after bad press from the u.s. trades.

Fichman spent much of his time at tiff’s opening-night bash being lauded by a continuous line of friends and colleagues wowed by the The Red Violin’s premiere – that festival director Piers Handling called an ‘intimate epic.’

Joined by Red Violin coproducer Daniel Iron and escorted by actress Arsinee Khanjian, Fichman beamed continuously, even when educating a Variety correspondent on the u.s. trades’ inaccurate reportage of the availability of u.s. rights to Red Violin.

Fichman explained that he was none too amused to have accessed an article of Variety online generated out of the Venice Film Festival that stated the $14-million film, which opened at both Toronto and Venice, was to be distributed in the u.s. by a well-known indie distribution company.

‘We’ve sold nearly every territory in the world except for the u.s. I’m here trying to sell the film,’ said Fichman.

For the record, u.s. rights to The Red Violin are very much available, and at press time, four days later, Fichman says there are a number of u.s. companies interested. ‘We just have to sort through who to go with.’ Fichman hopes deals will be inked by week’s end.

American independent distributors showing interest include both ‘big and small’ firms, but Fichman says a major u.s. studio buy is unlikely. Which independent distributor ‘is best suited for which film’ is currently being hashed out, with a sale of both films to one company still an option.

*MuchMusic frolic

Joy and silliness abounded at the MuchMusic Festival Schmooze, although less so for the front-door staff who had the fun of fielding would-be party goers sans tickets. Hissyfits, physical threats, tears. It’s just a party, it’s just a partyÉ

Inside, Citytv’s Mary Powers was having a marginally better time. Scooting up to her office before the annual Mary Powers VIP Martini Party got off the ground later in the night, Powers threw open the door to find a grinning Billy Zane escorted by a member of the pr staff. We know what you’re thinking, but no. Zane simply got tired of the crush downstairs and wanted a quiet place to relax.

Equally entertaining was the conversation at the Powers bash, which included Bruce McDonald, Brian de Palma, Moses Znaimer and most of the ChumCity executives. A gathering of the latter produced talk running to Clinton (is everybody keeping track of the number of Clinton chats you’ve had to date?) and then to the sheer volume of women who came to the party without a bra. Outtake from a senior chum executive: ‘It’s not no-holds-barred at this thing; it’s no-bras-hold.’

Amongst the ruckus downstairs was former Kids in the Hall star Mark McKinney. A clip from Dog Park was running on the monitors and McKinney, who’s in the movie, started screaming ‘That’s me! That’s me! Hey everybody, look at the tv! That’s me! Hey Nick!’ (yelling to his brother) ‘That’s me!’ Sure ‘nuf.

*Mixed grill: Film Centre Barbeque

At the Canadian Film Centre Barbecue, Ken Finkleman’s latest project was a subject of much discussion. And no, it’s not another satiric rant on the subversive effects of the media.

Finkleman has apparently turned full circle and written six love stories – mind you, a few are supposed to be quite twisted. Music is also a key component of his new cbc series titled Foolish Heart. The scripts are complete and preproduction is set to begin.

Among the sales rumors, word has it that the Samuel Goldwyn company has made phone calls to inquire about picking up The Herd. The Herd sales people are pitching it as a ‘historical feature.’

Also mingling was actor Maury Chaykin, who is currently shooting a guest spot on Psi Factor. He plays a stalker zoologist. Chaykin also has a Disney film coming in February called Mystery Alaska, starring Russell Crowe, Burt Reynolds and Lolita Davidovitch.

Finally, a little industry talk around the merger of Atlantis Communications and Alliance Communications.

Word had it that some were amused to see Atlantis ceo Michael MacMillan running for a land line at the cftpa board meeting last week. Apparently, MacMillan has been forbidden to use the cel phone line for merger-related phone calls before the shareholders meeting Sept. 16 and the subsequent vetting by the lawyers. When asked at the bbq, MacMillan said it was hogwash and that he’s free to use his cel as he pleases.

Meanwhile, Alliance employees are finding little to laugh about as the merger takes shape. Much preparing to land on swords.

In the media sector, Conrad Black’s The National Post has reportedly scored the apex of Report on Business, columnist Terence Corcoran. As The National Post staffs up, those editorial employees at the Financial Post are doing the math and feeling ill. Sources say the editorial staff count at the Financial Post is 70; at the National Post, the running list pushes 71. Financial Post employees are desperately searching for a 141 editorial staff precedent at a daily newspaper.

Nope.