Japanese Distribution Deals for Korean Films
The Korean distribution company Finecut has recently completed deals to bring the 3D animated movie Long Long Night and July Jung’s film Dora, showcased at the Cannes Directors Fortnight, to Japanese audiences.
Directed by Youm Kyu Bock in his feature debut, Long Long Night is an adaptation of a widely successful Korean novel that has drawn in over 800,000 readers and earned a spot on the prestigious 2021 White Ravens list from the International Youth Library in Munich. This novel is notable for being rooted in a real-life story. The rights for this animated film have been acquired by Geek Pictures in Japan.
The film made its initial debut in the Centrepiece section of the Toronto Film Festival and has been selected for the main competition at the Busan Film Festival this year. Additionally, it will compete in the Anima’t section of the Sitges Film Festival in Spain.
Geek Pictures’ CEO, Tamotsu Kosano, expressed his admiration for the film, particularly highlighting the impactful 15-minute promotional footage. He praised the film’s beautiful portrayal of the original novel’s world, the touching relationship between the last rhino on Earth and a penguin, and the film’s overarching themes of compassion and resilience. Kosano emphasized the immediate decision to share this touching story with the Japanese market.
Additionally, Geek Pictures secured the Japanese distribution rights to Dora, July Jung’s third directorial endeavor. Following its premiere at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, Dora has also been invited to the Gala Presentation section of the Busan International Film Festival. Furthermore, Finecut has successfully sold the Taiwanese rights for Dora to Light Year Images.
Besides these films, Finecut’s offerings at the Toronto Film Festival also include the animated feature Guardians Of The Video Game and the horror-thriller Wash Away by Japanese director Takuya Miyahara. Wash Away is set to have its world premiere at the Panorama section of the Sitges Film Festival.
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