Japanese Thriller 'Wash Away' Heads to Berlin Market

Korean sales company Finecut has acquired international distribution rights for the Japanese horror-thriller "Wash Away." The film will be presented to buyers at the European Film Market in Berlin. Directed by Takuya Miyahara, "Wash Away" centers on two vacationers who receive a complimentary stay at an isolated lakeside retreat. There, they confront sinister forces connected to local folklore concerning water's spiritual cleansing properties.

The narrative delves into the struggles of Japan's Satori Generation, young individuals confronting defeatism due to the nation's economic stagnation and demographic shifts. Miyahara's directorial debut probes how profound despair can lead to dangerous denial and a detachment from reality. Previously, Miyahara directed the short film "Suck," which screened at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. The film stars Jingi Irie as a hesitant vacationer suspicious of the resort's atmosphere, and Makoto Tanaka as his partner, who becomes increasingly distant as dark secrets surface. Production company Nothing New is behind the project. "Wash Away" is currently in post-production, with Finecut planning to show early footage to potential buyers during the European Film Market.