Japanese Film Starring Kentaro Sakaguchi Shelved
Listen to the story
A new Japanese film has reportedly been shelved, meaning it will not be released. The film stars popular actor Kentaro Sakaguchi and was directed by Shunji Iwai, a well-known Japanese filmmaker.
According to a news report, the decision came after a member of the technical staff left the production. Technical staff are the people who work behind the scenes, such as camera or sound crew. The exact reason for their departure has not been made clear.
Sources close to the film reportedly called the situation unprecedented, meaning nothing like this has happened before in the industry. Several insiders, people connected to the project, are said to have been shocked by the news.
The report did not give further details about when the film was made or when it was expected to be released. It also did not explain what will happen to the footage that has already been filmed.
This news has drawn attention because both Sakaguchi and Iwai are well-respected names in Japanese cinema. Many people are now waiting for an official statement from those involved.
Vocabulary5 words
- shelved
- stopped and not shown to the public
- technical staff
- workers who handle equipment like cameras or sound
- production
- the process of making a movie
- unprecedented
- never happened before
- insiders
- people who know a lot about something private
Quiz
Answer key
1. It has been shelved 2. A technical staff member left the production 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A new Japanese film has reportedly been _____, meaning it will not be released. The film stars popular actor Kentaro Sakaguchi and was directed by Shunji Iwai, a well-known Japanese _____.
According to a news report, the decision came after a member of the _____ staff left the production. The exact reason for their _____ has not been made clear.
Sources close to the film reportedly called the situation _____, meaning nothing like this has happened before in the industry. Several _____, people connected to the project, are said to have been shocked by the news.
The report did not give further details about when the film was made or when it was expected to be _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think a film might be shelved after production begins?
- How important is a technical crew to making a successful film?
- Do you think audiences deserve to know the reasons behind a film being shelved?
- Have you ever heard of a similar case in your country's film industry?