Ryuji 1983 film remaster to begin theatrical release in Japan

The 1983 cult classic film ‘Ryuji’, written by and starring Masaji Kaneko, is set to receive a 4K scan and 2K remaster release starting October 23. The theatrical rollout will begin at Theatre Shinjuku before expanding to other locations including Yokohama Cine Marine and Shin Bungeiza.

Produced by Toru Kawashima, the film is a legendary piece of Japanese cinema set in the Shinjuku and Kabukicho districts of the 1980s. It follows a man attempting to leave the yakuza lifestyle to live a quiet life with his family. The original production was notable for being shot on 35mm film by a group of film school friends, a project that became a legend following Kaneko’s death just eight days after the film's initial release.

For this remaster, Kawashima served as the remaster director with the guiding principle of ‘adding nothing and taking nothing away’ to preserve the raw, original atmosphere of the 35mm footage. This release coincides with the upcoming October 30 release of a remake titled ‘RYUJI Ryuji’, starring Yuya Yagira.