The Californer - SAKKA set to distribute Yusaku Matsumoto's "Winny" with director's commentary

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Distributor of Japanese films acquires "Winny", a thrilling legal drama based on true events, for global streaming excluding Japan and Korea

LOS ANGELES - Californer -- SAKKA, a distribution hub for Japanese independent films, is set to distribute "Winny" this November. Directed and co-written by Yusaku Matsumoto, one of the most sought-after directors of his generation in Japan, the film will be available globally (excluding Japan and Korea). SAKKA previously distributed Matsumoto's highly-acclaimed debut feature "Noise" as well as his award-winning short film "Made in Japan". In 2023, Matsumoto was also one of two Japanese filmmakers selected for the inaugural Creator Tour program launched by the distributor.

Matsumoto has built a versatile career directing short films, music videos, and commercials, and has collaborated with streaming companies like Netlix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Disney+ for their Japanese local series. His latest feature film "Winny" debuted in the top ten at the domestic box office last year and has screened at various film festivals across Asia, Europe, and the U.S., including New York's JAPAN CUTS.

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Based on true events, "Winny" follows the story of brilliant Japanese computer programmer Isamu Kaneko and his unjust arrest, which became a landmark case in Japanese digital innovation. At the dawn of the internet in 2002, before the rise of Facebook or YouTube, Kaneko created a revolutionary P2P file-sharing program called Winny. His invention led to his unprecedented arrest for "intentionally encouraging piracy." Recognizing the implications of his arrest on Japan's future digital innovators and tech development, Kaneko and his lawyer Dan engage in a fierce legal battle.

Following its theatrical release in 2023, the film garnered significant attention due to the profound impact Kaneko's real-life story had on Japan's tech and legal landscape. Set against the chaotic beginnings of the Digital Revolution in the mid-2000s, "Winny" explores themes of innovation, the ethics of technology, and the scrutiny of groundbreaking technology under the law — issues that remain vividly relevant today.

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Masahiro Higashide ("Asako I & II", "Wife of a Spy") delivers a strong performance as Isamu Kaneko, earning him the Best Actor Award at the 33rd Japan Film Critics Awards. The nuanced portrayal of the legal battle by Kaneko and his lawyer Dan makes the film both intellectually engaging and emotionally compelling, honoring Kaneko's legacy and his lasting influence on today's innovators in Japan and beyond.

SAKKA's release of "Winny" will include exclusive director's commentary. In addition to "Winny", and "Noise" — which is already available on the platform — SAKKA will also make Matsumoto's thought-provoking 2019 short film "Made in Japan" available for worldwide streaming excluding Japan.

As a distribution hub for quality Japanese films and a cheerleader for emerging filmmakers from Japan, SAKKA has distributed 18 award-winning films (https://www.sakkafilms.com/).