Taiwanese-Japanese movie selected for film festival

Japanese director Hiroyuki Tanaka, known professionally as Sabu, expressed deep gratitude and honor after his Taiwanese-Japanese co-production "Arrested Memory" was selected for the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film will be screened in the festival's Midnight Madness section, a slot traditionally reserved for cult and genre films, including horror, action thrillers, and dark comedies.

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To be able to get recognized with an original script without having to change my signature cinema style, while getting such positive comments, is one of the happiest things a filmmaker like me can experience.

"Arrested Memory" is a dark comedic crime thriller centered on a Taiwanese detective who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease shortly after transferring to a new station. As his memory deteriorates, he becomes entangled in a high-profile kidnapping case. The film boasts a notable cast, featuring Taiwan's Ethan Juan, Hsieh Ying-xuan, and Moon Lee, alongside Japanese actors Shinichi Tsutsumi and Reika Kirishima.

This selection marks the film's North American premiere during the 51st TIFF, which runs from September 10 to September 20. Sabu highlighted his satisfaction with the recognition of an original script that maintained his signature cinematic style, calling it "one of the happiest things a filmmaker like me can experience." He added that the positive reception reassures him to "continue making movies that I believe in and continue walking on the path that I have chosen for myself."

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This also allows me to firmly reassure myself to continue making movies that I believe in and continue walking on the path that I have chosen for myself.

Prior to its Toronto debut, "Arrested Memory" will have its world premiere as an out-of-competition entry at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival next month. Sabu specifically praised Taiwanese actors for their dedication to character development, regardless of role size, and lauded Ethan Juan's performance as exceeding expectations. Juan underwent three months of judo and firearms training for the role and fostered camaraderie with his castmates. Sabu also pointed to a dance sequence between Juan and Lee as a standout moment, describing it as an "unforgettable scene blending stylish elegance with touches of craziness and absurdity."

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He [Juan] not only displayed great strength and presence, he expressed the layered emotional nuance between sadness and sorrow with precision.