Japan picks Lee Sang-il's hit for Oscar

Sang-il's 'Kokuho' as its submission for the international feature category at the 98th Academy Awards, the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan announced on Thursday.

Set initially in 1964 Nagasaki, the film follows 14-year-old Kikuo who, after his yakuza father's death, finds himself taken under the wing of a famous Kabuki actor.

Alongside the actor's son Shunsuke, Kikuo dedicates himself to the centuries-old theatrical tradition, with their relationship evolving through decades of performances - from acting school to prestigious stages - against a backdrop of "scandals and glory, brotherhood and betrayals."

The cast includes rising star Ryo Yoshizawa as Kikuo, Ryusei Yokohama as Shunsuke and international star Ken Watanabe, who plays Hanjiro.

'Kokuho' bowed at Cannes Directors' Fortnight and subsequently played at the Shanghai International Film Festival. It will next play at Toronto. The film's screenplay carefully balances theatrical performances with the evolving off-stage relationship between the two leads.

"I tried to make the best balance between the play on stage and the scene outside the stage. I wanted the audience to see the two scene as seamlessly as possible," Lee said in an interview with Variety during Cannes.

The film is a massive box office hit in Japan, earning ¥11.53 billion ($79 million) from 8.17 million admissions through August 24, making it the second-highest grossing Japanese live-action film of all time.

Japan's last victory in the category came in 2022 when Hamaguchi Ryusuke's 'Drive My Car' took home the Oscar. 'Kokuho' is produced by Aniplex Inc in association with Myriagon Studio, Amuse Inc, Toho Co Ltd., Lawson Inc and Credeus.

Pyramide International is handling international sales. The Oscar international feature shortlist will be announced on Dec 16 and the final five nominees will be announced on Jan 22.