Documentary+ Picks Up TIFF Favorite ‘Still Single’ Featuring Sushi Star Masaki Saito
Documentary+, the global nonfiction streaming platform, has secured worldwide rights to the culinary documentary Still Single. This film focuses on Masaki Saito, the acclaimed owner of a Michelin two-starred restaurant in Toronto, and is set to premiere on April 23 as a Documentary+ Original.
Directed by Jamal Burger and Jukan Tateisi, Still Single debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, where it was accompanied by a temporary 60-foot outdoor omakase sushi bar on King Street, the festival’s main thoroughfare.
According to the film’s description, Saito, who trained in Japan and moved to Toronto from New York City, has revolutionized high-end omakase dining. The documentary explores his unique method of aging fish to the edge of freshness and provides a glimpse into his life, showcasing his culinary artistry, humble beginnings in rural Japan, and his demanding daily routine.
“Still Single is exactly the kind of film we want to champion at Documentary+,” stated Geoff Clark, CEO of the platform. “It’s beautifully crafted, emotionally honest, and wildly entertaining from start to finish. We’re thrilled to give it a home on Doc+, where audiences around the world can discover and fall in love with it just as we did.”
This film marks the feature directorial debut for both Burger and Tateisi. Burger, a Toronto-based filmmaker, emphasizes fostering connections through shared vulnerability in his work. “I love what Doc+ stands for, and I look forward to seeing the film we brought to life on the same platform as so many other incredible stories,” Burger remarked. “Sharing my first feature as a co-director in an accessible way means the world to me.”
Tateisi, who is based in Tokyo and London, is a visual artist and sound designer. He has showcased his work at prestigious international art festivals, including the Forest Festival of the Arts in Okayama and the New Contemporaries 2021 in the UK, where he presented his short film To The Fog.
The acquisition was negotiated by Documentary+’s Geoff Clark and Nate Bolotin from XYZ Films on behalf of the filmmakers. The production team for Still Single includes Fraser Ash and Kevin Krikst from Rhombus Media, and Julian Nieva from Common Good, with Niv Fichman serving as executive producer.
Documentary+ is accessible in over 100 million homes in the U.S. and more than 70 countries worldwide. The platform is recognized for its curated, filmmaker-first approach, providing audiences with access to an extensive range of compelling nonfiction storytelling.
Still Single will join a diverse slate of titles available on Documentary+, which includes notable films such as The Power of Pickleball, the Oscar-shortlisted A Swim Lesson, and Mississippi River Styx.
