The Seven, the pioneering Japanese content studio behind global successes such as Netflix’s “Yu Yu Hakusho” and “Alice in Borderland,” announced that its first-ever theatrical feature film, “Baka’s Identity,” has been officially selected for the Competition Section of the 30th Busan International Film Festival.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Koto Nagata, “Baka’s Identity” is a suspenseful human drama that exposes the dark underbelly of modern Japan. The story follows three youths navigating poverty and crime, offering a narrative that blends entertainment with social commentary and themes of universal resonance.
Director Koto Nagata said, “When I first heard the news of our selection for the Busan International Film Festival’s Competition Section, I was with the three main cast members. I tried to act calm, but for a moment, I was speechless. To have its world premiere at Asia’s largest film festival is genuinely the ultimate honor for a director.”
Lead actor Takumi Kitamura added, “I am incredibly happy that ‘Baka’s Identity’ has been selected. To me, this film holds youth, tragedy, pain, and tenderness—all in equal measure. I hope the audience will witness the emotions of these characters, who live quietly in a forgotten corner of Japan, unnoticed by anyone, yet shouting as if to say, ‘We are definitely here.’”
The selection marks a significant achievement for the studio, which in just over three years has expanded from producing high-caliber streaming titles to establishing its presence in the international film industry. By being included in the main competition, Busan aligns itself with major festivals such as Cannes, Venice, and Berlin, underscoring the global relevance of The Seven’s creative output.
The film is among 14 titles selected from across Asia to compete for Busan’s prestigious awards, including Best Film. The festival committee described it as “a complex psychological drama, a coming-of-age story, and a stark self-portrait of a modern metropolis where violence has permeated reality.”
Based on Jun Nishio’s novel Baka’s Identity (Tokuma Bunko), the film stars Takumi Kitamura, Yuta Hayashi, and Go Ayano. It is produced by Akira Morii with a screenplay by Kosuke Mukai. THE SEVEN serves as executive producer and distributor alongside Showgate.
Founded in 2022 with investment from TBS Holdings, The Seven has rapidly established itself as a major force in global content creation. Its portfolio includes a strategic partnership with Netflix, the production of “Alice in Borderland” Season 3, and the hit adaptation of “Yu Yu Hakusho,” which won Best Visual or Special FX at the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2024.
“Baka’s Identity” represents the studio’s launchpad into theatrical cinema, reinforcing its mission to bring a new wave of Japanese storytelling to international audiences.
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