BEIJING, June 16 -- Chinese distributors of "Sahara" believe the breakup of stars Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz will help boost box-office revenue in China.

Released in the United States in April 2005, the US$130-million desert adventure movie had a mediocre run in North America.

"It's a coincidence that we're releasing the movie just after they split, and the publicity will undoubtedly help its box-office performance,”"said Jiang Defu, deputy manager of China Film Digital Ltd. (CFD), the movie's China distributor.

Spanish actress Cruz, who shared the best actress prize for her role in "Volver" at this year's Cannes International Film Festival, and McConaughey reportedly became an item while shooting "Sahara."

However, Cruz's spokesman Robert Garlock was quoted by The Associated Press as saying June 3 that they "have decided to split."

McConaughey's representative Alan Nierob confirmed the breakup, first reported by People magazine.

The North American box-office performance is no indicator of its success in China, Jiang said.

“Few desert adventure movies have been screened in China, which is an advantage,” he added.

He estimated the movie would earn at least 10 million yuan (US$1.25 million) in China.

(Source: Shenzhen Daily)