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There will probably be one or two more releases in the Director's Company line. Looking at the list of Director's Company films, it doesn't seem like there are that many candidates - there's Kiyoshi Kurosawa's debut, Kandagawa Pervert Wars, and two films by Kichitaro Negishi - The House of Wedlock and Half of Eternity.

Any guesses for the December title?

Am planning another Obayashi, plus in early talks with Kaza-hana and in December have another incredibly highly acclaimed, only ever released on VHS outside of Japan, masterpiece to come, so I hope people enjoy those if they weren't fans of some of the recent genre films like Crazy Lips!

I mean, I’d like to think the issues holding a release of August in the Water & Labyrinth of Dreams at bay have been quietly resolved, but that seems unlikely. Still…

Adam X wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2026 11:01 am I mean, I’d like to think the issues holding a release of August in the Water & Labyrinth of Dreams at bay have been quietly resolved, but that seems unlikely. Still…

This is what I'm hoping for every time I click on this thread

Don't forget Angel Dust!

I didn’t, but personally don’t feel Angel Dust’s in the same league. I know other’s really like it though, and I’m sure I’d also enjoy it more these days, having since seen more of Ishii Sōgo/Gakuryū’s work.

I think Angel Dust had a US VHS release so that could be what is being teased. I don't think Labyrinth of Dreams or August in the Water did?

Hopefully it isn't too much longer for August in the Water though, I know Ishii was trying to get the rights back and Third Window had already talked through the restoration costs

Adam X wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2026 9:07 pm I didn’t, but personally don’t feel Angel Dust’s in the same league. I know other’s really like it though, and I’m sure I’d also enjoy it more these days, having since seen more of Ishii Sōgo/Gakuryū’s work.

A number of his short works, including Shuffle, have 4K restorations, so I do think we should expect new releases soon

Calvin wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2026 9:24 pm I think Angel Dust had a US VHS release so that could be what is being teased.

I was certain there was an old US DVD release, from Image or Media Blasters maybe, but the internet holds no clues. Maybe it just didn’t make it past announcement?

Calvin wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2026 10:51 am Any guesses for the December title?

Am planning another Obayashi, plus in early talks with Kaza-hana and in December have another incredibly highly acclaimed, only ever released on VHS outside of Japan, masterpiece to come, so I hope people enjoy those if they weren't fans of some of the recent genre films like Crazy Lips!

Looks like this might be Yanagimachi's Himatsuri (we did know there was a Yanagimachi planned, so in hindsight perhaps I should have guessed this one sooner!). Being announced on Tuesday. Will be interesting to see if the BBFC cut this one for the boar hunting

Fire Festival on 7 December.

Selected audio commentary from historian Alexander Jacoby
Video Essay by Jasper Sharp
Original Teaser and Trailer
Booklet with writing from Tony Rayns
In Japanese, with English subtitles