‘Moving,’ Restored Japanese Classic Film, Sets North American Theatrical Career (EXCLUSIVE)

Patrick Frater
·2 min read
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U.S.-based distributor Cinema Guild has acquired North American rights to the newly-restored 4K version of Somai Shinji’s 1993 classic “Moving” from French sales agent MK2 Films.

The Japanese coming-of-age drama won the best restored film award, the top prize in Venice Classics, when it premiered at the Biennale in September.

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Cinema Guild, which also released restorations of Somai’s “Typhoon Club” (1985) and “P.P. Rider” (1983) earlier this year, will open the film in theaters in the U.S. and Canada in 2024.

When her parents split and her father Kenichi moves out of their family home, Renko (Tabata Tomoko), a bright and energetic 6th grade girl, is left alone with her mother, Nazuna, in Kyoto. As Nazuna sets out new rules for their life together, Renko makes plans of her own, and sees to it that any changes happening in her family happen on her terms.

Since its premiere at Cannes in Un Certain Regard in 1993, Moving has been one Somai’s most beloved films. Somai transcends the tropes of stories of children dealing with divorce to deliver a film filled with indelible images about an unforgettable teenage girl who encounters the unknown and refuses to succumb to it.

“’Moving’ shows Shinji Somai’s style at its most finely tuned and emotionally operatic,” said Cinema Guild’s Edward McCarry. “Somai used long takes to focus the energy of his young actors into uniquely physical performances. And Tabata as Renko is the quintessential Somai youth. The screen radiates with her life-force. We’re very proud to continue flying the flag of Somai with this film, the perfect gateway into his vital body of work.”

The deal was negotiated by Tom Sveen and Peter Kelly of Cinema Guild with Quentin Bohanna of MK2 films.

The film was restored in 4K in 2023 by Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation under the supervision of Toyomichi Kurita (Cinematographer). A 4K/Blu-ray/DVD release will follow the theatrical run in 2024.


Also set to be released by Cinema Guild are: Hong Sangsoo’s “In Water”; Bas Devos’ “Here”; and Angela Schanelec’s “Music.” Its other recent releases include Laura Citarella’s “Trenque Lauquen” and Claire Simon’s “Our Body.”

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