PRODUCTION NOTES

The world’s film festivals are on alert with the upcoming latest work by Japanese director Daigo Matsui, known for his Berlin International Film Festival entry, Wonderful World End (’15) and Rotterdam International Film Festival invitee, Japanese Girls Never Die (’16).
Director Daigo Matsui’s Wonderful World End (2015) was invited to the “Generations 14plus” competition at the Berlin International Film Festival. That was followed with invitations to the Tokyo International Film Festival and Rotterdam International Film Festival for Japanese Girls Never Die (2017) solidifying his reputation both at home and abroad as a notable filmmaking talent. This new Matsui-directed work comes from an original story he penned inspired by the death of a real-life friend, which as a stage play, shattered the previous theater attendance record. Its critical success also evoked association with John Cassavetes’ classic 1970 buddy film, Husbands.
The film stars the popular Ryo Narita, who continues to land memorable leads in such notable films as Stolen Identity (’18) and The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese (’20). He is supported in buddy roles by Kengo Kora, who has earned a solid place in Japanese cinema as a topical actor, including the upcoming Aristocrats (’21), along with Ryuya Wakaba, Kisetsu Fujiwara and other rising talent. All told, a luxurious cast comes together under the stewardship of another young cinematic talent now attracting global attention in director Daigo Matsui!