Tadanobu Asano, Yukino Kishii’s Cannes Title ‘All the Lovers in the Night’ Lands North American Distribution (EXCLUSIVE)
Bitters End has secured North American distribution for "All the Lovers in the Night," the Cannes Un Certain Regard title starring Yukino Kishii and Tadanobu Asano, with Several Futures taking the US rights and Ritual Films handling Canada. The deal is part of a broader international rollout for the Yukiko Sode-directed film, which is based on Mieko Kawakami's acclaimed novel, and follows Fuyuko, a solitary proofreader whose life changes after meeting a physics teacher played by Asano.
Alongside the North American deals, Bitters End also closed a Thailand agreement with Movies Matter, adding to previously confirmed territories including France, Spain, Bulgaria, Brazil, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia. Kishii, known for "Small, Slow But Steady," and Asano, an Emmy nominee and Golden Globe winner for "Shōgun," both star in the film, which is set to open in Japan on 13 November.
- "All the Lovers in the Night" gets US and Canada distribution deals.
- Several Futures (US) and Ritual Films (Canada) acquire the Cannes title.
- Film based on Mieko Kawakami's novel opens in Japan on 13 November.
New here? Start with this
Bitters End is a Japanese film sales and distribution company, and it has been finding overseas buyers for "All the Lovers in the Night" ever since the film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at this year's Cannes Film Festival, a strand that showcases distinctive or emerging work outside the main competition. The film is directed by Yukiko Sode and adapts a well-regarded novel by Mieko Kawakami, telling the story of a withdrawn proofreader named Fuyuko whose outlook shifts after she meets a physics teacher.
The film's two leads bring their own name recognition. Yukino Kishii plays Fuyuko and has previously been noted for the drama "Small, Slow But Steady," while Tadanobu Asano, who plays the teacher, is a veteran Japanese actor who picked up an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe for his role in the television series "Shōgun."
Selling distribution rights territory by territory, as Bitters End is doing here, is a standard way for films outside major Hollywood studios to reach cinemas and streaming services around the world. Securing a US and Canadian distributor is a significant step for a festival title's international visibility, alongside deals already struck for countries including France, Spain, South Korea and Brazil.
Americas Business Celebrity Companies Entertainment Film Geopolitics Politics World