Sono returns to Before Suicide period

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Ancillary News

Japanese indies Pictures Dept Co Ltd ピクチャーズデプト and Dongyu Club & Inc 鈍牛倶楽部 have picked up all rights to the early works of Japanese director SONO Sion 園子温.

The prolific Sono, who recently delivered Japan's first post-tsunami film Himizu ヒミズ, has acquired cult status thanks to long, but intense works which pack a quiet punch like Cold Fish 冷たい熱帯魚 (2010), Guilty of Romance 恋の罪 and Love Exposure 愛のむきだし (2008).

The new package, Sion Sono Early Works: Before Suicide includes works by the poet-turned-filmmaker from his 30 minute debut I am Sono Shion!! 俺は園子温だ！！ (1984), to cult movie Suicide Club 自殺サークル (2001). It also includes his poetic first feature Bicycle Sighs 自転車吐息 (1990).

Pictures Dept envisages the features and shorts collection as a major DVD package and a possible event programming section for film festivals.

Earlier this year, Germany's Nippon Connection held a major retrospective of Sono's films that included many of his early works. It is understood that the next edition of the Torino Film Festival will present a full retrospective.

The material is of variable quality and only recently rescued. Sono lived for many years in a sub-standard apartment which was damaged during a house fire. His 8mm films were saved by a close friend.

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