FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 25, 2023

CINEMA GUILD ACQUIRES NEWLY RESTORED VENICE CLASSICS WINNER MOVING

NEW YORK, NY (Oct 25, 2023) – Cinema Guild announced today the acquisition of North American distribution rights for the new 4K restoration of Shinji Somai’s Moving (1993) from mk2 films. The Japanese coming-of-age classic won Best Restored Film, the top prize in Venice Classics, when it premiered at the Biennale in September. Cinema Guild, who also released restorations of Somai’s Typhoon Club (1985) and P.P. Rider (1983) this year, will open the film in theaters in the U.S. and Canada in 2024.

When her parents split and her father Kenichi moves out of their family home, Renko (Tomoko Tabata), a bright and energetic 6th grade girl, is left alone with her mother, Nazuna, in Kyoto. As Nazuna sets out new rules for their life together, Renko makes plans of her own, and sees to it that any changes happening in her family happen on her terms.

Since its premiere at Cannes in Un Certain Regard in 1993, Moving has been one Shinji Somai’s most beloved films. In this poignant family drama, Somai transcends the tropes of stories of children dealing with divorce to bring us a film filled with indelible images about an unforgettable teenage girl who encounters the unknown and refuses to succumb to it.

"Moving shows Shinji Somai's style at its most finely tuned and emotionally operatic," said Cinema Guild's Edward McCarry. "Somai used long takes to focus the energy of his young actors into uniquely physical performances, and Tomoko Tabata as Renko is the quintessential Somai youth. The screen radiates with her life-force. We’re very proud to continue flying the flag of Somai with this film, the perfect gateway into his vital body of work." The deal was negotiated by Tom Sveen and Peter Kelly of Cinema Guild with Quentin Bohanna of mk2 films.

The film was restored in 4K in 2023 by Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation under the supervision of Toyomichi Kurita (Cinematographer). A 4K/Blu-ray/DVD release will follow the theatrical run in 2024.

A premier distributor of world cinema, independent films and documentaries, Cinema Guild’s upcoming releases include Hong Sangsoo’s in water, Bas Devos’ Here and Angela Schanelec’s Music. Recent releases include Laura Citarella’s Trenque Lauquen and Claire Simon’s Our Body.

For press inquiries, please contact us at:

(212) 685-6242 or press at cinemaguild dot com

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