Emerging director Odagiri Joe is best known as an internationally acclaimed actor. Despite an early dream to direct, his success in front of the camera intervened, and his own modesty sidelined him from his intended profession. “I felt I would be taking advantage of my position if I directed a film,” he has said. “I didn’t think other directors would take kindly to it, and I thought audiences would look at it through the filter of ‘presenting a film by actor Odagiri Joe.’”

In the spotlight since his starring role in Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s Bright Future in 2003, Odagiri has amassed an extraordinary filmography, working primarily with indie auteurs rather than big-studio directors, and creating a range of unforgettable characters, each one distinct from the last. Active overseas since 2006, he has also gamely performed in English, French, Korean and Spanish. Among many other awards, he has received Best Supporting Actor at the Japanese Academy prizes for Blood and Bones in 2004, and Best Actor for Sway in 2006.

As our Centerpiece presentation, NYAFF is proud to host the U.S. premiere of Odagiri’s masterful feature debut as writer-director, They Say Nothing Stays the Same. Lensed by iconic DP Christopher Doyle, with costumes by Oscar winner Wada Emi, and starring many of Japan’s most beloved actors, the film marks the launch of what will most assuredly be (another) brilliant career for Odagiri Joe.