SAKE-BOMB starring GAKU HAMADA has been selected for SXSW 2013!
Press Release for immediate release | Januray 31, 2013
pictures dept. co. ltd.
SAKE-BOMB starring GAKU HAMADA has been selected for SXSW 2013!
SAKE-BOMB is a really fun film that also has a lot of heart. We loved the performances and thought the film was a really strong first feature by a filmmaker that has a lot of potential.
— Jarod Neece, senior programmer, SXSW.
We are more than happy to announce that our latest production SAKE-BOMB has been officially selected for SXSW Film Festival 2013 in the VISIONS section. The Visions section categorises itself with the quote “Visions filmmakers are audacious, risk-taking artists in the new cinema landscape demonstrating raw innovation & creativity in documentary & narrative filmmaking”. SAKE-BOMB was shot in August 2012 and currently in post-production. It will have its WORLD PREMIERE at SXSW 2013, with the director and main actors in attendance.
SAKE-BOMB is produced by pictures dept. and SAKE BOMB Films, LLC. with Diverse Pictures handling
production. We are introducing new director JUNYA SAKINO (his bio below). Among LA-based prolific Japanese directors such as Kazuaki Kiriya and Shunji Iwai respectfully support Sakinoʼs talent. Kiriya said “I know Junya has always followed international filmmaking and now he has finally made it, so I respect his great ambition. SAKE-BOMB is one of the most enjoyable and entertaining films Iʼve seen made with such a small budget and I believe a true independent spirit is shown “.
Starring popular yet veteran young actor GAKU HAMADA, star of “See You Tomorrow, Everyone!”, “The Foreign Duck, The Native Duck And God In A Coin Locker” and “Golden Slumber”, who has been in the film industry since 9 years old and has so far been in over 20 theatrically released films, SAKE-BOMB is a road movie about a sarcastic and self-deprecating Asian American, who is forced to take his naive Japanese cousin on a road trip along the California coast to find his ex-girlfriend.
Comments
JUNYA SAKINO, Director
Throughout the making of the film, I experienced what Sebastian and Naoto endured in the story as an inevitable reminder that there are such interesting yet complicated cultural layers that are deeply inherited in America. I believe much of this personal journey has been embedded onto the screen.
GAKU HAMADA, as Naoto
I am so happy to be part of SXSW selection. I believe this is only our first step, a very fragile first step. I hope the film will walk away with a lot of positive response from the audience towards these crappy immature boys.
Eugene Kim, as Sebastian
I feel blessed to have been a part of Sake Bomb. I am thankful. It was a privilege to have had worked with Junya, Jeff, and Sam. Gaku was inspiring to work with. The rest of the cast and crew made me look forward to coming on the set everyday. We worked well as a team together through the easy and difficult moments. I am very excited to have our premiere at SXSW and am thrilled and humbled to be a part of such a prestigious festival. I hope everyone enjoys the film!!
SAKE-BOMB
A sarcastic and self-deprecating Asian-American must take his naive Japanese cousin on a road trip along the California coast to find his ex-girlfriend.
SYNOPSIS
A ʻʻSake-Bombʼʼ is a cocktail created by dropping a shot of sake into a pint of beer. It’s also a comedic road movie about a sarcastic Asian American and his Japanese cousin. Sebastian is a bitter, self-deprecating wannabe Internet star from Los Angeles. He has recently been dumped by his girlfriend and on the look-out for someone new. When his cousin Naoto, a naive sake maker from Japan, shows up to find his own ex-girlfriend, Sebastian takes him to north California to find her. They are a clash of cultures waiting to happen. Someone has to break first. Together they meet a colorful group of characters as they come to grips with who they are and the true nature of the girlfriends they are pursuing.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR: JUNYA SAKINO
Born and raised in Japan. He moved to the United States in 2000 to pursue his directing career. Soon after he attended California State University Long Beachʼs film program where he went on to direct “Vanity Mirror”, “The Spiral Ring” and “Orizuru”. “Vanity Mirror” won the Grand Prize in the UTB Picture Battle competition. “Orizuru” hit the worldwide film festival circuit in 2006 and received a generous handful of awards including the Hollywood International Film Festival award for Best Period Drama, the Best Screenplay award at the Media Arts Festival and won the Best Film award at the No Nuke Festival. The film was eventually aired on PBS Television. He has also worked with acclaimed directors such Kazuaki Kiriya and Shunji Iwai. His credits include “Takamine”, “Bandage”, “Bokutachi no Playball”, “Stolen”, “Halfway”, “Etienne!”, etc.
About SXSW
Every March, creative of all stripes gather in Austin to witness, share and inspire the visions that will galvanize the filmmakers and ideas of tomorrow. SXSW Film Conference & Festival champions the vitality, innovation and opportunity that drives the entertainment and media landscape, and boldly tackles the evolution of all aspects of “film” today, down to its very definition. A nexus of discovery and collaborative energy, SXSW Film celebrates the art and business of the possible.
【SAKE-BOMB Film Fact】
Director: JUNYA SAKINO | ORIZURU (2006)
WRITER: JEFF MIZUSHIMA | Etienne! (2009), SALAD DAYS (2011)
PRODUCER: HIROMITSU SENOO
CAST：GAKU HAMADA, EUGENE KIM, MARLANE BARNES, DAT PHAN, MARY CAREY and DENDEN
U.S.-Japan/English/Color/Running Time; TBA/Screening Format: DCP/5.1ch Surround
© 2013 pictures dept. / Sake Bomb Films, LLC
World Sales | pictures dept. co. ltd.
CONTACT: Yuko Shiomaki
tel: +81 46 876 7531
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