Multiplatform media company Shout! Factory has struck a deal with London-based producer/licensor/distributor Animatsu Entertainment to distribute animated feature In This Corner of the World in North America. Shout! has secured all rights to the film, including theatrical, VOD, digital, broadcast and home entertainment for cross-platform releases in the US and Canada.
“Shout! Factory is a fantastic partner for this film. We were incredibly impressed by their work on Long Way North, and have been fans of their commitment to content curation and serious film and television fans in North America for a long time,” said Jerome Mazandarani, COO of Animatsu Ent. “It’s been clear throughout our discussions with the team that we couldn’t find a more committed and passionate company to handle this beautifully delicate film.”
Animatsu’s Head of Acquisitions & Marketing, Andrew Hewson, commented:
“This truly is a unique and exquisite film, one which only comes around once every few decades, and we are incredibly proud to be involved with it. Unique films deserve unique partners and Shout! Factory are an absolute perfect match given their passion, expertise and back catalogue of releases.”
Based on the award-winning manga by Fumiyo Kouno, In This Corner of the World is written and directed by Sunao Katabuchi, who began his career working with Hayao Miyazaki before directing his own films, including Mai Mai Miracle and Princess Arete. Produced by GENCO and Japanese studio MAPPA, the coming-of-age tale carries messages of resilience and the triumph of the human spirit, wrought with hand-drawn animation. Masao Maruyama (MAPPA) and Taro Maki (GENCO) produced the film, which features original music by Kotringo.
“We couldn’t be more excited and honored about this new opportunity with Animatsu, Sunao, GENCO and MAPPA animation studio. Beautiful and deeply moving, In This Corner of the World is a captivating, socially relevant film that will impact everyone who sees it,” said Melissa Boag, SVP of Kids & Family Entertainment at Shout! Factory. “We look forward to presenting this remarkable hand-drawn animated film to animation enthusiasts and North American movie audiences this year.”
“Here is a film to celebrate. At once heartbreaking and inspiring, light and melancholy, it’s a profoundly intimate work with dimensional characters persevering and finding their humanity in the most challenging of circumstances,” said Shout!’s VP of Acquisitions, Jordan Fields. “Sunao Katabuchi has created an instant classic.”
The film has previously secured distribution in other key territories following successful presentations at Annecy and AFM.
Synopsis: In This Corner of the World follows a young lady named Suzu Urano, who in 1944 moves to the small town of Kure in Hiroshima to live with her husband’s family. Suzu’s life is thrown into chaos when her town is bombed during World War II. Her perseverance and courage underpin this heart-warming and inspirational tale of the everyday challenges faced by the Japanese in the midst of a violent, war-torn country. This beautiful yet poignant tale shows that even in the face of adversity and loss, people can come together and rebuild their lives.
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