Los Angeles [US]: Acclaimed Japanese actor Yosuke Kubozuka has officially signed on for Gomusin, a cross-cultural film set across Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, with production slated to begin next year.
According to Deadline, Gomusin will be the first project from Average Plus Productions, a newly launched production label helmed by former Fremantle drama executive Nastasja Borgeot. The project will be co-produced by Japan’s Generation 11, with Bryerly Long directing.
Kubozuka, known for standout roles in HBO’s Tokyo Vice, the BBC-Netflix thriller Giri/Haji, and Martin Scorsese’s Silence, will play Akio, a Japanese man of Korean descent with a secret past.
The story centers around Amiya, a British woman of Japanese and Korean heritage who receives a cryptic package at her London home after the death of her father. Inside is a single gomusin, a traditional Korean shoe, inscribed with the word “Tokyo.” Her journey to uncover its origins leads her to Japan, where she crosses paths with Akio.
“Gomusin relates to a seldom-discussed chapter of Japanese history, one that I find deeply fascinating,” said Borgeot. “It is a narrative marked by pain, but more importantly, by the quiet strength that led to reconciliation and harmony. The stories from this period continue to echo through generations, subtly shaping the cultural and political landscape of the region today.“
With themes of identity, memory, and intergenerational trauma, the film aims to explore nuanced aspects of East Asian diaspora and shared histories, touching on complex legacies between Japan and Korea.
About the Production Team
- Gomusin is based on an original concept by Nastasja Borgeot.
- Bryerly Long, an emerging filmmaker with a background in multilingual and transnational storytelling, is attached as director.
- This marks the first feature from Average Plus Productions, which aims to develop character-driven, globally resonant stories.