Japan’s Bitter End has boarded international sales on “Sai: Disaster,” a suspense feature selected for the San Sebastian Film Festival‘s main competition, followed by its Asian premiere at the Busan International Film Festival.
The film is directed by Gogatsu, the duo of Seki Yutaro (“Duality”) and Hirase Kentaro (“Exit 8”), featuring celebrated Japanese actor Kagawa Teruyuki (“Tokyo Sonata”, “Creepy”) and Anne Nakamura (“Grand Maison Paris”).
Adapted from the Wowow drama series “Sai,” which was aired earlier this year, “Sai: Disaster” follows six seemingly unconnected individuals who live their lives normally, unaware that a mysterious man has already infiltrated their worlds. Without warning, calamity descends upon each of their lives.
“With ‘Sai: Disaster,’ we set out to depict this ‘invisible fear’ in a form never seen before,” said Hirase. “People called it a ‘disaster’ – something that shatters our lives without cause, without warning, mercy, and even malice. Though terrifyingly violent, its presence remains undetectable until it suddenly strikes.”
In addition to “Sai Disaster,” Bitters End’s fall sales lineup includes Miyake Sho’s Locarno Golden Leopard winner “Two Seasons, Two Strangers,” which is selected for both Busan’s first year of main competition and San Sebastian. Sakamoto Yukari’s “White Flowers and Fruits” is selected for San Sebastian’s New Directors section.
With three decades in the business, Bitters End has established itself as a leading Japanese distributor, handling films from internationally acclaimed filmmakers including Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Bong Joon-Ho, the Dardenne brothers, and Jia Zhangke. Recent acquisitions also include “Anora,” “Sex/Love/Dreams,” “Caught by the Tide,” “La Chimera,” and “Perfect Days.” The company also produces and was behind the Academy Award-winning “Drive My Car.”
