In Person: An Interview with Jun’ichi Yasuda & Yuno Sakura

We are thrilled to share that Michael recently sat down with director Jun'ichi Yasuda and acterss & assistant director Yuno Sakura to discuss their breakout film A Samurai in Time (侍タイムスリッパー)—a fantasy comedy that has captured the hearts of Japanese moviegoers.Made on a modest budget of 26 million yen and initially screened in just one theater, this indie gem has won several awards, among which is the 48th Japan Academy Film Prize. If you haven't watched it yet, the film follows Kosaka Shinzaemon, an Aizu Domain samurai who is struck by lightning and wakes up in 2007 Japan—where he carves out an unlikely career as a kirareyaku, a stunt actor who specializes in being slashed down in period dramas. His quiet success turns into something much bigger which we are not going to disclose here in order not to spoil the surprise.Jun'ichi Yasuda is a director known for A Samurai in Time (2023), Kenjû to medamayaki (2014), and Gohan (2017). Born in Kyoto in 1967, after graduating from Osaka University of Economics, he worked at various jobs before starting his own videography business. His work ranges from kindergarten recitals to bridal photography, corporate videos, event video production, direction and design, multi-cam event recording and broadcasting, and production and distribution of low-budget films.Yuno Sakura is an actress known for A Samurai in Time (2023) and Kimi to Yukite Saku: Shinsengumi Seishun Roku (2024). Born in Kyoto in 1967, when she graduated from elementary school, she dreamed of becoming an actress, but she did not study acting. She entered her current industry through a yukata contest, and her first acting experience was appearing in an opening video for an event filmed by Jun'ichi Yasuda. Since 2015, Asian Pop-Up Cinema has presented more than 300 films from across Asia, from mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. In our interview, Yasuda san talks about the film’s journey from passion project to sleeper success and the appeal of combining history with humor. Whether you love Japanese cinema, independent filmmaking, or just a great underdog story, don’t miss this film!