Born in Osaka in 1958, Junji Sakamoto belongs to a generation of Japanese directors who carved out independent paths in the industry, outside the then-defunct studio system. His feature debut, the 1989 boxing film "Knockout," won a shelf of domestic prizes, including the Blue Ribbon Award for best film. He became known for male-centered action flicks and thrillers, such as the 2000 gangster epic "Another Battle."
But Sakamoto has also often delved into controversial topics. One example is 2008's "Children of the Dark," a drama about child trafficking in Thailand based on actual cases. And he has won kudos for his collaborations with celebrated stage actress Naomi Fujiyama: the 2000 drama "Face" and the 2016 comedy/fantasy "Danchi."
In "Another World," which screens in competition at the 31st Tokyo International Film Festival, Sakamoto is again exploring new territory, with a story of male friendship in a small rural town, based on his original script.