Veteran Japanese film producer Muneyuki Kii has come up with a bold new plan to shake up Japan’s traditionally sclerotic and risk-averse approach to film financing. The executive, formerly a lead producer at Tokyo-based Studio Toei, on Thursday revealed the launch of K2 Pictures, a mini-studio that aims to bring a more Hollywood-style approach to film funding in Japan’s industry. Bring the right model.
The new company will launch a content fund — dubbed “K2P Film Fund I” — to finance both live-action and animated Japanese features. K2P has also lined up an impressive roster of Japanese directors to collaborate on its debut slate, including Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Koreida (Shoplifter), local industry center Takashi Mike (Ichi the Killer, 13 The killer), Shunji Iwai (A love letter), Nishikawa sugarcane (to swingKazuya Shiraishi (Devil’s Way), and renowned anime studio MAPPA, known for mega-hits such as JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 And Attack on Titan.
Kii will serve as CEO of K2P, while other senior leadership at the launch include Tetsuro Koda, co-founder of Japanese gaming and comics publishing company Akatsuki, and Fred Schmidt, chairman of investment management company BentallGreenOak in Asia. Kii spent more than 25 years at Toei, developing both live-action and anime features. Some highlights include: Hideaki Anno’s Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Again And Shin Kamen RiderTakehiko Inoue’s The first slam dunkof Iwai Carrie And Mike’s first loveamong many others.
For decades, most Japanese films have been made under the country’s so-called “production committee” system, whereby a group of film companies, TV stations and publishers – often more than 10 entities – finance a project. come together to provide Although an effective means of mitigating financial risk for established industry participants, the system has long been criticized for stifling creative risk-taking, limiting outside investment, and restricting artist interaction. Criticizing the way the power is reduced.
“We want to create a new approach by transforming this film ecosystem into one of ‘film production funds,'” following an approach used in Hollywood and around the world, K2 Pictures said in a statement. “This new film ecosystem that K2 Pictures aims to leverage will empower film production by returning to both investors and creators the profits traditionally earned by traditional film companies.”
The company’s launch comes at a time when many analysts are cheering about the growing international potential of the Japanese entertainment sector. The company’s fund will provide a new avenue for investors in Japan and overseas to participate in high-profile Japanese entertainment projects.
Kii says, “Through the launch of K2 Pictures, we intend to bring about a major revolution in the Japanese film industry, as well as provide opportunities for new domestic and foreign investors to enter this flourishing industry. are.” “It is clear that interest in Japanese-related content is growing worldwide, so we are committed to making our local film industry more active, fair and profitable in the global market, as well as a strong content pipeline. Also creating the line that promises to captivate the audience.”
K2 Pictures will host a presentation during the upcoming Cannes Film Festival to launch and fund the company. The event will take place at the JW Marriott Hotel on May 18 at 12:45 p.m., featuring appearances by Miwa Nishikawa and Mike Takashi.
Credit : www.hollywoodreporter.com
