Japan’s Kore-eda Hirokazu Directing ‘Asura’ Family Drama Series for Netflix

Ace Japanese movie director Kore-eda Hirokazu is in superior post-production on “Asura,” a household drama sequence that marks his second present for international streaming large Netflix.

“Asura,” which can premiere on Jan. 9, 2025, is a contemporary tackle “Like Asura” a 1979 household drama sequence that was initially primarily based on a Mukoda Kuniko novel of the identical title. Airing on public broadcaster NHK, it turned a template for Japanese household drama sequence for a few years and sparked a characteristic movie adaptation in 2003.

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Set in 1979, the story follows 4 sisters — Tsunako, Makiko, Takiko, and Sakiko — whose lives are shaken by the invention of their getting old father’s affair. Just like the “asura,” demigods in Buddhist cosmology, these ladies embody a whirlwind of feelings, clashing fiercely but sharing moments of profound connection. As they navigate their differing views on love and life, their journey is marked by each battle and development.

“With nice respect for Mukoda and her affect on his profession, Kore-eda infuses ‘Asura’ along with his distinctive imaginative and prescient, highlighting the independence and complexity of girls,” Netflix mentioned in an announcement.

Written and directed by Kore-eda, who gained the Palme d’Or at Cannes for “Shoplifters” and who additionally directed Like Father, Like Son” “No person Is aware of” and “Our Little Sister,” the brand new sequence “presents a slice of life that resonates throughout cultures with common household dynamics,” the streamer mentioned. Kore-eda beforehand wrote and directed mini-series “The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko Home” for Netflix, which aired it in 2023.

“What makes Kuniko Mukoda’s dramas so wealthy are the superficial poison exchanged in dialog and the love hidden behind these merciless phrases,” mentioned Kore-eda. “The 4 actors taking part in the sisters perceive this properly, so the sequence was very pleasing to shoot.” Miyazawa Rie, Ono Machiko, Aoi Yu and Hirose Suzu play the central roles because the 4 ladies in “Asura.”

The sequence was developed and produced by Yagi Yasuo who beforehand labored with Mukoda. “Earlier than the fortieth yr since [Mukoda’s] passing, I revisited her works and realized that ‘Like Asura’ was central to her legacy. We targeted on casting one of the best actors for the sisters, and with Kore-eda as director, I imagine we’ve created a quintessential drama,” mentioned Yagi.

Different credit go to producers: Fukuma Miyuki, Kitahara Eiji and Taguchi Hijiri with Bunbuku and Netflix named as manufacturing firms. Music is by fox seize plan; cinematography by Takimoto Mikiya; lighting by Fujii Norikiyo; sound by Tomita Kazuhiko; manufacturing design by Mitsumatsu Keiko and Nunobe Masato; set ornament by Tatsuta Tetsuji and Haba Shiori; costume design by Ito Sacico; hair and make-up by Sakai Mutsuki; sound results by Okase Akihiko and Hasegawa Go; assistant director Matsuo Takashi; script supervision by Oshida Tomoko; manufacturing lead by Goto Ichiro; and line manufacturing by Kikuchi Masaaki.

Netflix offers as an official synopsis: “One winter day, the 4 Takezawa sisters — ikebana trainer Tsunako (Miyazawa), housewife Makiko (Ono), librarian Takiko (Aoi) and waitress Sakiko (Hirose) — get collectively for the primary time shortly. Takiko suspects that their getting old father, Kotaro, has a lover and little one. Whereas the opposite sisters discover this unbelievable, they promise to maintain this from their mom, Fuji. Nevertheless, this commotion brings to mild numerous conflicts and secrets and techniques that lurk within the ladies’s lives.”

Watch a sneak peek from the opening sequence right here.

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