Japanese film companies mostly make local films for the local market. Often the films may as well have "not for export" written in the credits.
Launched in 2008 by Kiki Sugino and Kosuke Ono, Wa Entertainment has set its sights beyond Japan in everything from stories and casting to the titles of the films themselves. Instead of the usual literally or strangely translated English, the international title of its 2013 Rohmer-esque summer-by-the-beach film was "Au revoir l'ete." France, here we come.
Another ensemble drama set by the sea was the 2014 "Chigasaki Story," whose English title evoked the globally beloved films of Yasujiro Ozu. (Much of the action takes place in the ryokan (inn) where Ozu scripted eight of his films.) World, we are waiting.
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