Netflix is gearing up to expand its library with more quality Japanese content by striking an exclusive deal with renowned Japanese screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto. The deal comes after the 56-year-old screenwriter, lyricist, and playwright won this year’s Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay for his drama film Monster.
Commenting on the decision to sign the deal with Yuji, Netflix’s Vice President of Content, Japan, Kaata Sakamoto praised Yuji for his range in writing and his ability to touch people with his thoughtful stories. He commented that Yuji’s masterpieces ‘keep us coming back for more,’ and added:
“Many people, including myself, have been deeply moved by the stories that Yuji has created; and many more people from far beyond Japan are waiting to immerse themselves in Yuji’s next works. At Netflix, our mission is to entertain the world, and we look forward to bringing Sakamoto’s unique, original storytelling to a global stage, coupled with the very best production environment and creative partnerships to realize his vision.”
Echoing the sentiments, Netflix is already set to release Yuji Sakamoto’s first project for the platform, titled In Love And Deep Water, which will be a romantic murder mystery film. It will be directed by Taki Yusuke and will chronicle a mysterious murder on a luxurious cruise ship that ‘all witnesses deny seeing except for a devoted butler.’
The story will take place aboard the large luxury cruise liner MSC Bellissima as it sails into the Aegean Sea, and it will follow Suguru the butler, and Chizuru, a mysterious woman, as they strive to solve the mystery on board. The film is a dream project for Yuji Sakamoto, as he remarked:
“I’ve always wanted to make a film like that but I never thought I would be able to. With this film, the dream I had given up on has come true.” Adding what to expect from the film, Sakamoto continued, “I believe viewers will be able to spend a dream-like time with lovely music, beautiful costumes, and charming people brought to life by the ultimate cast, beginning with Ryo Yoshizawa and Aoi Miyazak.”
For those unfamiliar with Sakamoto’s works outside of Monster, he has been behind some of the most loved Japanese TV shows like Fuji TV’s Our Textbook and Love That Makes You Cry, Nippon TV’s Mother, TBS’ Quartet, and KTV’s My Dear Exes. Though his film credits are not as elaborate, the 5-year deal with Netflix will allow Sakamoto to put his writing muscles to work for a series of titles to premiere exclusively on the streamer’s platform worldwide.
The decision to rope in Yuji Sakamoto comes amidst Netflix’s continuous efforts to add more Japanese productions to its streaming library. Earlier this month, Netflix dropped the trailer for the Japanese revenge thriller series Burn the House Down, which is set to premiere on July 13. A live-action adaptation of the popular anime One Piece is also underway, hitting the platform on August 31. It will be a delight to see what Sakamoto brings to the table for viewers under the 5-year deal.
