Netflix hopes to broaden its appeal to Japanese filmmakers as it plans a shift toward local production and, in particular, feature films. Among the alternatives are theatrical releases of Netflix’s Japanese films.
The streamer’s initiative was emphasised this week by the signing of legendary “Shoplifters” director Kore-eda Hirokazu to direct a big-budget feature as well as a series on which Kore-eda would be showrunner and co-director. In either case, no titles were announced. “We have only announced Kore-eda at the moment, but we are already developing things with a lot of great creators, legendary filmmakers, and young filmmakers. It’s very diverse,” Sakamoto Kaata, Netflix VP of Japanese content tells Variety.
We span series, films, and unscripted TV. But very simply lots of audiences love watching films
He was speaking on the sidelines of the two-day Netflix Japan Festival 2021. Where the firm this week gave updates. Release dates, and introductions of new shows spanning 50 projects. “We span series, films, and unscripted TV. But [the pivot to film is because] very simply lots of audiences love watching films,” says Sakamoto.
He presents the company’s Japanese film approach as consistent with its production and distribution of films by top American directors such as Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. Media Partners Asia said in a report that new and library anime titles drive almost half of Netflix’s current consumption in Japan. According to Sakamoto, the company also provides a way for Japanese filmmakers to overcome the distribution issues that many confront. Because of the size and nature of the domestic market. The Japanese industry has always prioritized domestic concerns over international sales.
“Films going to festivals and then finally go into theatres [is the traditional way]. But Netflix has a global viewing reach. This is very attractive for so many creators,” Sakamoto says. “We have many schemes. Some may be co-productions. Some we will own [as originals]. It depends on the project and story.”