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Janus Films Secures U.S. Rights to Cannes-Bound Samurai Drama

4/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Janus Films has acquired U.S. rights to The Samurai and the Prisoner, directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, ahead of its Cannes premiere.
The film is adapted from Honobu Yonezawa's award-winning novel and is set in Japan's Sengoku period.
It follows Lord Murashige Araki as he faces a siege by Oda Nobunaga's forces and threats to his court.
He forms an alliance with imprisoned strategist Kanbei Kuroda to uncover a traitor.

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Story summary

Janus Films has acquired U.S. rights to The Samurai and the Prisoner, directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, ahead of its Cannes premiere.
The film is adapted from Honobu Yonezawa's award-winning novel and is set in Japan's Sengoku period.
It follows Lord Murashige Araki as he faces a siege by Oda Nobunaga's forces and threats to his court.
He forms an alliance with imprisoned strategist Kanbei Kuroda to uncover a traitor.