Filmmaker's Wild Journey: From Dogma Actor to Street Fighter Director

Kitao Sakurai's directorial career began with a unique trajectory, starting as a teenage actor in Kevin Smith's 1999 film 'Dogma'. This early experience foreshadowed his penchant for the offbeat, a sensibility later honed through co-creating the cult hit 'The Eric Andre Show' in 2010. That show's chaotic energy became a cornerstone of Sakurai's filmmaking approach, emphasizing that narratives don't always need strict logic to resonate.

His independent directorial debut, 'Aardvark,' premiered in 2010, followed by the hidden-camera comedy 'Bad Trip,' which faced release challenges but found an audience during the pandemic. These projects solidified Sakurai's embrace of the unconventional.

The opportunity to direct Legendary and Paramount's 'Street Fighter' marked a significant career shift. This project held personal meaning for Sakurai, connecting him to his Japanese heritage and childhood memories of playing the video game.

Sakurai's vision for 'Street Fighter' centered on its inherent silliness and absurd elements, a departure from more grounded interpretations. This "gonzo energy" was embraced by the producers, allowing Sakurai to infuse the film with his signature style. The film's use of '90s-style animation for flashbacks was a deliberate artistic choice, inspired by anime and manga, rather than a budgetary one.

Sakurai's recent work also includes directing episodes for FX's 'Dave,' notably the Brad Pitt episode, and contributing to the acclaimed series 'Beef.' These diverse projects highlight his adaptability and consistent delivery of compelling, often unexpected, storytelling.