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Spanish Director Tackles Japanese Social Issue in Groundbreaking Co-Production “konbini“
A poignant drama exploring themes of loneliness, societal alienation, adn the search for connection, “Konbini” marks a notable moment in international cinema as the first Spanish-Japanese co-production directed by a Spanish filmmaker and filmed entirely in Japanese.
The film,currently seeking additional European investment after being presented at the Tokyo Gap-financing Market,centers on an unlikely bond forged between Kisayo,a young sound artist working the night shift at a Tokyo convenience store,and an elderly man attempting to deliberately get arrested through shoplifting.
Director Pedro Collantes, whose previous work includes the Venice Film Festival-selected “The Art of Return,” was compelled by a growing trend in Japan: the increasing number of senior citizens committing minor crimes with the explicit intention of imprisonment. “what kind of person chooses to go to prison on purpose? What emotions and circumstances lead to such a desperate decision?” Collantes pondered. “It is a terrible irony that some people feel more a part of a community being in jail, than free in society.”
The narrative delves into the motivations behind this phenomenon, exploring the societal factors that can lead individuals to seek solace-even within the confines of a prison-rather than face isolation in their later years. While deeply rooted in Japanese social reality, Collantes emphasizes the film’s universal appeal. “The reflection on the place to which we, as societies, relegate people who reach old age resonates beyond the specific cultural context of Japan to a global audience,” he explained. “The intention is to emphasize the universal value of human dignity and the need for empathy and intergenerational connection.”
Navigating the complexities of filming in japan as a foreign director presents unique hurdles. Collantes acknowledges the constant need for cultural sensitivity. “It constantly tests my sensitivity to culture, language, and nuance,” he admits, adding that building a bridge between two creative worlds is “a delicate, humbling task,” despite his wife being Japanese and his extensive time spent in the country.
The project has already garnered significant momentum, securing a win at the Tsutaya Creators’ Program and support from japanese co-producers Culture Entertainment. According to a company release, winning the Tsutaya Creators’ Program was “a true turning point” for the production. Collantes is currently focused on location scouting and casting in Tokyo.
Aquí y Allí Films producer Pedro Hernandez Santos sees the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market as a key opportunity to broaden the film’s reach within Europe. “We already have a solid project in collaboration with Culture Entertainment,our Japanese co-producers,but we beleive there’s room to bring in an additional European partner,” Santos stated.The team is also actively pursuing international sales, fueled by early positive interest.
This co-production is not merely a cinematic endeavor; it’s a pioneering step in cross-cultural filmmaking. Spanish and European funds have already invested in the project, underscoring its ambitious, international scope. “That pioneering aspect is precisely what makes the journey so special and challenging at the same time,” hernandez Santos noted.
Production is slated to begin next summer, with a projected delivery date of 2027. The team expresses confidence in the film’s potential for global success. “we believe we have a unique, beautiful, and tender film that can perform very well in theaters worldwide,” the producer saeid.
