Unveiled: Kiyoshi Kurosawa's 'Cloud' Storms International Screens

Cloud: A Cinematic Journey with Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Let’s take a moment to chat about the film Cloud, the latest brainchild of renowned director Kiyoshi Kurosawa. This gem has recently been selected as Japan’s entry for the Oscars, which is no small feat—like being the star of a reality show about life in the wild, only this time, it’s about navigating the wild world of online money-making schemes. And yes, the stakes are alarmingly high, because who doesn’t enjoy a suspense thriller that manages to weave an existential crisis into a commercial scheme?

In a delightful twist, the film has been snatched up by key territories across Asia and Europe like a hot commodity at an estate sale. Nikkatsu Corporation has managed to sell distribution rights for the UK and Ireland to Blue Finch Film Releasing, while Plaion Pictures GmbH handles the German-speaking crowd. Media Castle has come on board for South Korea, and Golden Scene will be bringing it to Hong Kong and Macau. Just imagine popcorn being crunched in theaters from Paris to Taipei as audiences marvel at Kiyoshi’s storytelling finesse. It’s like a cinematic game of musical chairs, and everyone wants a seat!

Cloud made its premiere at the illustrious Venice Film Festival last August—how very chic! It then strutted its way to the Toronto International Film Festival, proving that, much like a good wine, it only gets better as it mingles with other fine selections. Currently, it’s screening at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), where our hero, Kurosawa, recently snagged the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award. This accolade might just come in handy when he’s negotiating a discount on his next pair of vintage glasses.

The plot centers around a young man diving headfirst into the murky waters of online schemes, only to discover he’s bitten off more than he can chew—a fate that’s all too relatable in today’s digital age. The cast is rounded out by a talented ensemble, including Masaki Suda from the acclaimed Wilderness: Part One and splendid performances from Kotone Furukawa (Wheel Of Fortune And Fantasy), Daiken Okudaira (My Small Land), and Amane Okayama from the Kingdom franchise. Talk about a line-up that can make any casting director weep tears of joy!

Produced by Nikkatsu and Tokyo Theatres Company, Cloud graced the Japanese screens on September 27, opening with a respectable seventh place on its debut weekend—a reminder that even the best of us have to start somewhere. But don’t fret, because it’s gearing up for its Taiwanese debut on November 1, where it can either blossom into a must-see sensation or give us all a collective facepalm moment.

To add a cherry on top, Cloud is sharing the limelight at BIFF with Serpent’s Path, another full-length feature from Kurosawa, which had its own premiere in Japan this June and caused quite the stir at the San Sebastian Festival. And lest we forget, there’s also Chime, the mid-length film that premiered at Berlinale back in February. Kurosawa is on a roll, and I can almost hear the applause echoing from his growing fan base!

In this labyrinth of emotions—where humor meets suspense and chaos meets clarity—Cloud isn’t just a film; it’s a jubilant reminder of the delightful quirks in life, complete with an artistic flair that only someone like Kiyoshi Kurosawa could conjure. So, grab your favorite blanket, a bowl of popcorn, and get ready for a cinematic experience that promises to be as thrilling as it is thought-provoking!