Masaaki Yuasa's "Inu-Oh" Sets World Premiere at Venice Sep 9

Inu-Oh, the latest feature from award-winning director Masaaki Yuasa, celebrates its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival (www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2021) in the Orizzonti competition. The animated rock musical produced by acclaimed Japanese animation studio Science SARU is based on Hideo Furukawa's original novel The Tale of the Heike: The Inu-oh Chapters about Inu-oh, a real-life artist who lived 600 ago. years.

The film's world premiere will take place on September 9 at 2:25 p.m. in the Sala Darsena. US distributor GKIDS has acquired US rights and plans a nationwide launch in 2022.

Summary

 Inu-oh is born with unique physical characteristics and shocked adults cover every inch of his body with clothing, including a mask on his face. Tomona is a curious country boy who loses his sight in a strange accident. One day, Inu-oh and Tomona, now a blind biwa gamer, meet. Inu-oh asks her to write a song about his life. Tomona plays a delicate song of his confused fate, Inu-oh, she dances like he never knew he could. Inu-oh and Tomona become inseparable business partners and friends as song after song gains fame and propels them to stardom. Through the songs, Inu-oh enchants the audience of him on stage and little by little he begins to transform into someone of incomparable beauty. It is a story about the friendship of Inu-oh and Tomona, who dance and sing to discover the truth about their past and break mutual curses.

Inu-oh's voice and songs are performed by Avu-chan, one of today's most influential emerging artists. Inu-Oh tells a story of modern life, whether you accept your destiny and follow the main conventions to achieve glory or give up the rewards and stay true to your own beliefs.

Inu-Oh is produced by Fumie Takeuchi (Asmik Ace, Inc.) and Eunyoung Choi (Science SARU INC.) In co-production with Yuhai Cheng (Open Culture Entertainment (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.). International sales are handled by Fortissimo Films for outside Asia and Asmik Ace, Inc. for Asia.

About Masaaki Yuasa 

Masaaki Yuasa was born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, on March 16, 1965. He made his film debut in 2004 with Mind Game, which won awards in Japan and abroad, including six awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. , at the 2005 Fantasia International Film Festival. His film Lu Over the Wall won the Crystal for best feature film at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival 2017. His latest film, Ride Your Wave, won the award for the best animated film at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival 2019 and was nominated for the Annie Award 2021. Additionally, his latest series Japan Sinks: 2020 won the Jury Prize for a television series at Annecy 2021. His other major works include Ping Pong: The Animation; The night is short, walk on a girl; Devilman
Crybaby; and keep your hands off Eizouken.