In a recent move highlighting the growing appreciation for Asian cinema in the West, UK and Ireland film distributor Day for Night has secured distribution rights for three significant Asian titles at the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents and Film Market, as reported by Variety.
High on the list is the movie “Snow Leopard”, the final creation of the late Tibetan director/filmmaker Pema Tseden, renowned for his acclaimed works such as “Jinpa” and “Balloon”. Tseden‘s untimely demise earlier this year at the age of 53 left the global film community in mourning. “Snow Leopard” provides a poignant and intricate depiction of the tenuous relationship between humans and animals in the Tibetan plateau. The narrative revolves around a herder and his father torn apart after a snow leopard preys on their nine rams, sparking a fierce ethical dilemma. Following its world premiere at Venice, the film had its screenings in Toronto and is soon scheduled for Tokyo.
July Jung’s “Next Sohee” also found a spot in Day for Night’s acquisitions. Premiered at Cannes’ Critics Week in 2022, this thriller depicts a harrowing tale of Sohee, a high school intern at a call centre, spiralling into a dark psychological abyss after a traumatic incident, leading to police intervention.
Completing the triad of acquisitions is “Remembering Every Night” by Japanese filmmaker Kiyohara Yui. Premiered at Berlin, the movie is a touching narrative set against the backdrop of Tokyo’s Tama New Town, interweaving the lives of three women grappling with personal challenges, ranging from professional struggles to emotional voids.
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These acquisitions are in line with Day for Night’s ethos of introducing discerning UK audiences to global cinematic gems. In the past, they have facilitated the introduction of films by directors like Pema Tseden, Dominga Sotomayor, Chaitanya Tamhane, and Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit.
Speaking to Variety, Sonali Joshi, the co-director of Day for Night, shared, “These three distinctive films from East Asia continue our commitment to bringing underrepresented stories to wide and diverse audiences.” Joshi expressed particular enthusiasm for “Snow Leopard”, reflecting on the loss of Pema Tseden and acknowledging him as a “rare talent.”
With Day for Night’s history of spotlighting underrepresented narratives, these three movies are set to receive their well-deserved spotlight in the UK and Ireland film arenas.
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