Marikotitsuya’s intercultural drama “Dear Stranger” has released an international trailer.
Following its theatrical release on September 12th, the film will premiere internationally at the Busan International Film Festival and will serve as the closing film at the Golden Horse Film Festival in Taiwan.
Starring Nishijima’s Hidetoshi (Oscar-winning “Drive My Car”) and Guwaylanmei (“Black Charcoal, Thin Ice”), Dear Stranger follows an Asian couple in New York, whose marriage was unlocked when their young son went missing. The film explores themes of intercultural identity, isolation and communication through what Mariko calls “cold violence,” which describes quiet cruelty in intimate relationships.
Mariko, who won Locarno’s Best Emerging Director Award for “Destruction Babies” (2016), developed the project during her 2019 residency at Harvard University’s Reischauer Institute. The experience of life as an outsider in America informed the investigation of film’s cultural evacuation and language barriers.
Filmed fully in a New York location in late 2024, the production featured international crews such as cinematologist Sasaki Yasuyuki, editor Matura Clau and composer Jim O’Rourke. Doll Director Blair Thomas created a sequence that reflected his wife’s artistic background and immigration experiences.
In 90% of English dialogue, the production required extensive table readings that helped multilingual cast internalize roles.
Roji Films and Toei showcase this feature with EST N8 and TOEI handling global sales. The distribution is set through Japanese TOEI, French Joker films and applause emstertaing in Taiwan.
Check out the international trailer here:
