Asian Film Collective Maboroshi Makes Cannes Market Launch With Global Vision (EXCLUSIVE)

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A fresh name has emerged on the global cinema stage, with Maboroshi – a film company based in Tokyo – formally debuting at the Cannes Film Market by announcing their commencement.

This collaborative group unites a powerful squad of accomplished professionals who have worked extensively in both Asian and worldwide film industries. The team behind this project consists of industry stalwarts, such as producers Jin Zhao, Yosuke Kikuchi, Isabel Li, Leo Li, along with Liuying Cao – a renowned international distributor and curator – and Haochen Xu – a skilled programmer and distributor.

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The group pools together an impressive ensemble of industry experts who have made significant contributions to the Asian and global film scenes. The founding members of this venture are seasoned professionals, including producers Jin Zhao, Yosuke Kikuchi, Isabel Li, Leo Li, as well as Liuying Cao – a distinguished international distributor and curator – and Haochen Xu – a versatile programmer and distributor.

Maboroshi’s bold plan involves two key aspects: introducing world cinema to Japanese viewers and, at the same time, creating joint productions with a unique blend of Chinese and Japanese influences but a worldwide vision.

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Maboroshi aims for a dual approach in their grand plan: they want to share global films with Japanese spectators while also developing co-productions that have a distinctive Sino-Japanese flavor but a broad global appeal.

The business is named after a word common in both Japanese and Chinese, which holds significant philosophical meaning. The name consists of characters signifying ‘illusion’ and ‘image’, implying a conceptual struggle between what’s real and what’s intangible or deceptive.

Our view of cinema is a unique blend: it’s both deeply emotional yet detached, something you can touch but also hard to grasp. It redefines our senses, stretches time, and offers a fresh perspective on the world,” the creators explained. “Maboroshi embodies the heart of what we think cinema should be, and guides us philosophically and creatively in all our work.

In terms of distribution, Maboroshi is teaming up with The Katsuben Cinema, a specialty art house brand owned by LesPros Entertainment, to showcase unique directorial films from regions that use the Chinese language and more, to Japanese film enthusiasts.

Their upcoming lineup features Ken Loach’s “The Old Oak” (an official selection at Cannes 2024), Albert Serra’s “Afternoon of Solitude” (winning the Golden Shell in 2024 San Sebastián), Ho Cheuk Tin’s “The Sparring Partner,” Yin Lichuan’s feminist take titled “Like a Rolling Stone,” and Qiu Jiongjiong’s epic allegory “A New Old Play.

Moving beyond typical screenings, Maboroshi will lead the Chinese Cinema Today project, an ongoing cultural event highlighting fresh talent from modern China for Japanese viewers in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Unlike a one-time festival, this program seeks to foster a consistent exchange of curatorial ideas between Japan and China.

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Going beyond the norm of screenings, Maboroshi will spearhead the Chinese Cinema Today initiative, an ongoing cultural series featuring rising stars from contemporary China for Japanese spectators in cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. This program is not about a single event but aims to create a long-term dialog between Japan and China’s curatorial circles.

Maboroshi swiftly dives into expanding its movie roster, beginning with “Fuxi: Joy in Four Chapters,” the second film from director Qiu Jiongjiong. The company plans to engage in multiple collaborative projects, encompassing scriptwriting, co-productions, and investments, linking their offices in Tokyo and Beijing. Their primary aim is to produce artistically innovative pieces that retain a strong appeal in international markets.

As the movie industry becomes more diverse with multiple influential players, successful collaborations between different cultures are essential for creating the cinematic landscape of the future,” the founders noted in their statement.

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2025-05-16 11:17