Japan has selected Lee Sang-il ‘s “ Kokuho ” as its submission for the international feature category at the 98th Academy Awards , the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan announced Thursday.

Set initially in 1964 Nagasaki, the film follows 14-year-old Kikuo who, after his yakuza father’s death, finds himself taken under the wing of a famous Kabuki actor. Alongside the actor’s son Shunsuke, Kikuo dedicates himself to the centuries-old theatrical tradition, with their relationship evolving through decades of performances — from acting school to prestigious stages — against a backdrop of “scandals and glory, brotherhood and betrayals.”

The cast includes rising star Ryō Yoshizawa as Kikuo, Ryusei Yokohama as Shunsuke and international star Ken Watanabe , who plays Hanjiro.

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