On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Amazon MGM Studios announced that it will produce a feature film directed, written, and starring Takeshi Kitano, whose work continues to receive praise around the world for its quality.
Since his debut as director in 1989 with “Violent Violence,” Kitano has directed a total of 19 feature films, including “Sonatine” (1993), “Kids Return” (1996), and the “Outrage” series (2010-2017). In 1997, “HANA-BI” won the Golden Lion at the 54th Venice International Film Festival, the first Japanese film to win the award in 40 years. Since then, “Zatoichi” (2003) won the Silver Lion, the director’s award, at the 60th Venice International Film Festival, establishing Kitano as one of the few Japanese directors to win awards at film festivals around the world. “The Head,” released in 2023, will have its world premiere at the 76th Cannes International Film Festival and is said to be attracting a lot of attention.
Amazon MGM Studios, which will produce Kitano’s feature film, has not only produced numerous American productions such as “American Fiction,” which won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 96th Academy Awards, and the Golden Globe Award-winning drama “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” but also distributes international content to the world, such as “Argentina 1985: The Trial that Changed History,” which won the Best Foreign Language Film at the 80th Golden Globe Awards.
This project, which is being undertaken with one of Japan’s greatest directors, Kitano, is said to be a historic initiative that symbolizes Amazon MGM Studios’ vision of “Home for Talent,” which aims to deliver the works of talented creators from around the world to people around the world.
Director Takeshi Kitano commented as follows:
It’s been several decades since I started making movies, but teaming up with Amazon MGM Studios, which produces movies in various countries, is a new challenge for me and I’m excited about it. We’re currently working hard on the project, so please look forward to the next update.
James Farrell, Head of International Originals, Amazon MGM Studios, said:
I am thrilled to be working on a new project with Director Takeshi Kitano, whose unconventional style continues to surprise and inspire audiences around the world.
Amazon MGM Studios is committed to international projects so that customers around the world can enjoy works created by talented creators anytime, anywhere, regardless of borders. Teaming up with Japan’s greatest genius is a new challenge, but it is exactly the ideal we are aiming for.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how “Kitano of the World” will unleash his talents in this collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios.
