Japanese producer Satoh Naomi of Differentia and Italian producer Parsifal Reparato of Antropica are co-producing 'The Blue Breaks', a film based on the 2016 novel by Machiya Ryohei.
The production team plans to begin filming in 2027 with a target completion date in 2028. Director Takuya Uchiyama stated he was drawn to the book because it was published during the year he began his filmmaking career and because Machiya wrote it at the same age Uchiyama is now.
“Shukichi, the protagonist, struggles with the part of himself that never quite became ‘manly.’ I’ve also spent much of my life feeling uncomfortable with what society expects a man to be,” Uchiyama said.
Uchiyama noted that Japan still expects everyone to be alike, but added, “Diversity isn’t something new. It’s always been there, even if we haven’t always acknowledged it.” Satoh Naomi said she and Reparato connected over a shared sense of not fitting expected roles in society or the film business, noting that films resisting categories can be difficult to finance in Japan.
“When ‘Numb’ was selected for the Berlinale, it gave me real proof that Takuya’s work could resonate with audiences beyond Japan,” Satoh said. Reparato said the film’s appeal lies in how it rethinks family and identity, and that Antropica, which has been active in Asia for years including in Vietnam, sees the project as a way to deepen ties with Japanese cinema through the bilateral co-production framework.
“At this historical moment, building bridges is more important than ever,” Reparato said. Uchiyama has also finished shooting on a separate project that is currently moving into the editing phase. The Tokyo Gap-Financing Market took place as part of TIFFCOM, the content market associated with the Tokyo International Film Festival.
