Janus Takes Over Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s ‘The Samurai And The Prisoner’ Before Cannes Premiere

Janus Films Acquires U.S. Rights to Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Latest Film

Janus Films has secured all U.S. rights to The Samurai And The Prisoner, the latest feature from acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa, which is set to premiere at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

Adapted from Honobu Yonezawa’s novel, The Samurai And The Prisoner was produced by Shochiku in collaboration with Tokyo Broadcasting System Television. The acquisition was negotiated by Janus Films and Charades.

The film’s official synopsis reveals a gripping narrative: As Lord Murashige Araki opposes the tyrannical Nobunaga Oda, he becomes besieged within his own castle. Isolated and facing a wave of mysterious crimes that disrupt his court, Murashige must navigate fear and suspicion. With Oda’s forces looming and a traitor in his midst, he reluctantly seeks the assistance of Kanbei Kuroda, a cunning strategist imprisoned within the castle’s dungeon. With the support of his wife Chiyoho and his closest generals, Murashige races against time to uncover the truth before his castle falls.

Kurosawa, born in 1955 in Kobe, Japan, began his career directing 8mm independent films while studying Sociology at Rikkyo University. He later served as an assistant director under Kazuhiko Hasegawa and Shinji Somai. His notable works include Cure, Charisma, Pulse, Tokyo Sonata, Journey To The Shore, Creepy, Daguerrotype, After We Vanish, Wife Of A Spy, and Serpent’s Path.

“I was very positively surprised to learn that the story of the Sengoku warlord Araki Murashige, who rebelled against his lord Oda Nobunaga, will be screened in Cannes, transcending both borders and time,” Kurosawa stated. He added, “If, by good fortune, people overseas can truly understand that this is something that could still happen even today, I would be immensely happy.”