ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS FROM THE TIMES, NEWS SERVICES AND THE NATION’S PRESS.

TV & MOVIES

The Final Don: Miramax Films has acquired rights to “Omerta,” the soon-to-be-published final novel by “Godfather” author Mario Puzo, who died in July at 78. The studio said it envisions “Omerta”--which is said to contrast the “romantic and honorable Mafia of the Old World with the unscrupulous criminals of the modern world”--as a franchise for both film and television. “Omerta” (which means “code of silence” in Italian) is to be published by Random House next summer.

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Cuban Actor Seeks Asylum: A well-known Cuban actor is seeking political asylum in the United States, saying he is frustrated by living in poverty despite his hard work and reputation in the arts. Carlos Cruz, who starred in the internationally acclaimed 1995 film “Guantanamera,” told Miami’s Spanish-language paper El Nuevo Herald that he had a “need to live my life in a way denied me for years in my own country.” The Willy Chirino Foundation, a Miami-based group run by the Cuban-born salsa singer of the same name, has reportedly filed the asylum petition on Cruz’s behalf. A U.S. State Department spokesman declined comment.

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Latino Film Deal: New Latin Pictures, a distribution and production company founded by classic film restorer Kit Parker and his partner Lawrence Martin, has acquired the movie “Luminarias” for a February release in Los Angeles. The deal, which creates a partnership with Sleeping Giant Productions--the film’s producer--includes future productions of Latino-themed films. “This is a long-term working relationship,” Martin said. “Luminarias,” directed by Jose Luis Valenzuela, centers on four Latinas coping with dating in the racial and cultural mix of Los Angeles. The film, written by and starring Evelina Fernandez (“American Me”), will be released on a limited basis starting in Los Angeles. The movie was made for less than $1 million, funded entirely by members of the Latino community who want to see more Latino-themed films. “The big distributors are missing the boat,” said Fernandez.

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Bogus Memo Tweaks Fox: As if Fox wasn’t having enough trouble with ratings, the network suddenly finds itself the butt of jokes. A bogus press release made the rounds in TV industry circles this week lampooning the network’s proposed scheme to televise a staged airplane crash. The hoax memo says Fox executives and producers of such low-rated shows as “Action,” “Family Guy,” “Get Real” and “Harsh Realm” have been invited to take part in “this publicly staged disaster, sure to make headlines and guarantee high ratings, the latter being a first for Fox this season.”

POP/ROCK

Acquitted: A Texas jury has acquitted country singer Johnny Rodriguez of murder in the death of an acquaintance he claimed he thought was a burglar. The jury took just over an hour to find Rodriguez, 47, not guilty in the 1998 shooting death of Israel “Bosco” Borrego, 26. Rodriguez, whose string of hits in the ‘70s include “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico” and “Pass Me By (If You’re Only Passing Through),” was charged with murdering Borrego after surprising him early in the morning at his family home in southern Texas. Texas law permits the use of “deadly force” against intruders, and Rodriguez’s attorney had argued that the single fatal shot was fired in self-defense. Rodriguez put his face in his hands when the verdict was announced Wednesday. “I’m just sorry that the whole incident took place,” he said. “I don’t want to go through anything like this again.”

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Slatkin to Take BBC Post: Leonard Slatkin has been named chief conductor designate of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He assumes the post in October 2000 and is to remain through 2003. Slatkin, who will continue as music director of Washington’s National Symphony Orchestra, is the first American appointed to the prestigious BBC post. Meanwhile, Slatkin will conduct the National Symphony Orchestra at the Orange County Performing Arts Center Oct. 29 and 30.

QUICK TAKES

CBS has picked up a full season of its two freshman law series, “Judging Amy” and “Family Law.” . . . KCSN-FM (88.5) will repeat KCRW’s 12-part series, “The United States of Los Angeles,” every Friday at noon through Dec. 31. Each week, the series profiles a different community of the city, beginning today with “The Valley” and including editions on “Mexican L.A.,” “Jews in L.A.,” the Korean American community and the Crenshaw district.