Story perspectives

Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Samurai Film Hits US July 31.

6/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s samurai film “The Samurai and the Prisoner” will open in U.S. theaters on July 31.
Janus Films acquired the U.S. distribution rights after the film’s Cannes screening in May.
The film adapts Honobu Yonezawa’s 2021 Naoki Prize novel Kokurojo, starring Masahiro Motoki as Lord Araki Murashige and Masaki Suda as strategist Kanbei.
Kiyoshi Kurosawa co-wrote the script and said jidaigeki requires large budgets for sets, wigs, makeup and costumes.

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Story summary

Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s samurai film “The Samurai and the Prisoner” will open in U.S. theaters on July 31.
Janus Films acquired the U.S. distribution rights after the film’s Cannes screening in May.
The film adapts Honobu Yonezawa’s 2021 Naoki Prize novel Kokurojo, starring Masahiro Motoki as Lord Araki Murashige and Masaki Suda as strategist Kanbei.
Kiyoshi Kurosawa co-wrote the script and said jidaigeki requires large budgets for sets, wigs, makeup and costumes.