The Pool Films Acquires Xavier Tera's Debut 'The Color of the Sun' Ahead of Venice Premiere

Paris-based sales company The Pool Films has acquired worldwide distribution rights to The Color of the Sun, the feature film debut of Tokyo-based photographer and commercials director Xavier Tera. The coming-of-age drama is set to premiere in the Horizons section of the 83rd Venice Film Festival, which runs from September 2 to 12.

A Coming-of-Age Story Set on Okinawa

Acted in both Japanese and English, The Color of the Sun was shot on the Japanese island of Okinawa, home to more than 30 United States military bases. The narrative follows Kamei, a Japanese teenager, and his circle of friends during their final summer vacation before high school graduation. Their routine is upended when they befriend Colin, a teenager raised on one of the American bases on the island, an encounter that forces Kamei to confront long-buried insecurities.

According to the official synopsis, themes of first sexual awakenings, shifting loyalties, and betrayal unfold beneath the constant sound of military helicopters overhead. The story centers on the tension and uncanny resemblance between Kamei and Colin, exploring what it means to belong against a backdrop of cultural collision.

Renowned Cinematography and International Co-Production

The film was shot on 35mm film by acclaimed cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, whose previous credits include Luca Guadagnino's Call Me by Your Name and Challengers, as well as Apichatpong Weerasethakul's Palme d'Or-winning Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.

The Color of the Sun is a co-production involving Italy, Canada, and Japan. Producers include Janie Chartier of Twin Brains, Stella Rossa Savino of MIA Film, Antonio Miyakawa of Wise Pictures, Jeremy O. Harris, and Shogen. John Lesher, known for his work on Birdman, serves as executive producer.

The cast features several first-time performers, including Naoto Shimajiri, Daido, Ichiro Andre Castro, and Yuma Taira, alongside West Mulholland, whose previous credits include Presence and Animal Kingdom.

A Director's Personal Connection to Okinawa

Tera, born in Montreal and raised across the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan, is an established fashion photographer and commercials director. He has collaborated with global music artists such as Harry Styles, Kaytranada, and Rosalia, and has directed campaigns for major brands including Nike, Adidas, Burberry, and Moncler.

In his director's statement, Tera explained that he traveled from Tokyo to Okinawa during the early stages of the Covid pandemic. Although he had some familiarity with the island's recent history, he said he was struck by the depth of its cultural richness and historical independence the more time he spent there.

Coming from Canada, a country shaped by both French and British colonialism, Tera drew parallels between Okinawa's history and the experiences of Indigenous communities worldwide. He said that acknowledging the suffering caused by colonial powers in Canada and beyond helped him connect with what he described as a profoundly human and universal story.

Tera emphasized that rather than making a film about geopolitics, he wanted to explore these themes through an intimate lens: the relationship between two teenagers from the same place but not the same background. He said he was drawn to questions of belonging, the tension between preserving tradition and embracing change, and the unexpected beauty that can emerge when cultures collide and reshape one another.

Market Debut in Venice

Gilles Sousa, co-founder of The Pool Films, described The Color of the Sun as a visually captivating and emotionally resonant debut. He praised Tera's narrative perspective and Mukdeeprom's cinematography as combining to create a remarkable cinematic experience.

The Pool Films plans to present the film to international buyers immediately following its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

With its blend of personal storytelling, striking visual craftsmanship, and a setting steeped in historical complexity, The Color of the Sun shapes up to be one of the more intriguing titles emerging from this year's festival circuit. If this coming-of-age drama caught your eye, share this article with fellow film enthusiasts and let others know about one of Venice's most anticipated debuts.

Source: Variety