By CHARLES LYONS

Gotham-based Manhattan Pictures Intl. has swallowed all North American rights
to Alan Rudolph's "The Secret Lives of Dentists," shelling out seven figures
upfront and an additional seven-figure commitment toward p&a.
Pic, produced by Holedigger Films, unspooled at the Toronto Intl. Film
Festival, where it was one of the few available English-lingo pics.

ICM's Shaun Redick, along with attorney Andrew Hurwitz, brokered the pact on
behalf of George VanBuskirk and Holedigger; Paul Cohen, Manhattan's CEO and
prexy, handled his shingle's side of the deal.

"It was incredibly important to us that our distributor be passionate about our
film," VanBuskirk said. "Paul and the people at Manhattan exhibited this on
every level and with their multimillion-dollar commitment to the film, we are
thrilled that 'The Secret Lives of Dentists' has such a fantastic home."

Defies definition

Added Cohen, "Alan's wondrous 'Secret Lives' defies being categorized into any
specific genre while conveying the emotions of real people involved in real
life. The combination of Rudolph's craftsmanship, the insightful dialogue and
the chemistry of the cast makes it our perfect next release."

Pic, produced by Campbell Scott and VanBuskirk on behalf of Holedigger, stars
Scott, Hope Davis, Denis Leary and Robin Tunney. Bruce Cowen, Martin Garvey,
Michael Lauer and David Newman exec produced.

Rudolph's film exposes one couple, both dentists, on the brink of losing
everything and the compelling journey that leads them back to each other.

Rudolph is known for such pics as "Afterglow," "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious
Circle" and "The Moderns."