Sins of South Beach, the controversial memoir by Miami Beach's fallen-from-grace former mayor Alex Daoud, may be headed for the big screen.

Cinepro Pictures / Philippe Martinez Productions has acquired the rights to the book from LionShark Entertainment. ``I was instantly struck by not only the enigmatic and contradictory nature of Mayor Daoud, but how the various story lines interconnect during such a pivotal time,'' Martinez says about the book in a statement. ``. . . Daoud tells a story chock-full of sex, drugs, violence, corruption and murder that ultimately exploded into the transformation of the South Beach that we now know.''

Martinez's previous film credits include Modigliani with Andy Garcia; I Could Never Be Your Woman with Michelle Pfeiffer and The Flock with Richard Gere. LionShark is a subsidiary of BMax Holdings, which will serve as executive producer on the project. Some filming will take place in Miami Beach.

-- Miami Herald Staff