In an exciting development for cinema enthusiasts, Best Friend Forever has secured international sales rights for Eugene Kotlyarenko’s upcoming thriller, “Vintage Violence.” This much-anticipated film, featuring Cole Sprouse of “Riverdale” fame and the talented Kiko Mizuhara, is set to make its world premiere at the Midnight Madness section of the Toronto International Film Festival.
Details About the Film
“Vintage Violence” marks Kotlyarenko’s eighth feature film, further establishing his reputation for integrating internet and online video culture into modern storytelling. He gained recognition for his previous work “Spree,” which premiered at Sundance in 2020 and later landed on Netflix’s Top 10, as well as “The Code,” showcased at Fantasia in 2024. The project is backed by WME, which is handling the domestic rights.
A Stellar Cast
The film also stars Nijiro Murakami (“Alice in Borderland”), Pierre Taki (“Like Father Like Son”), and Hio Miyazawa (“Egoist”). Mizuhara, who co-leads the cast alongside Sprouse, is poised to appear in Takashi Miike’s upcoming untitled Kyoto project.
Plot Overview
The narrative follows a livestreamer who stumbles upon a hidden collection of rare vintage denim in Colorado. When a subscriber entices him with the promise of a fortune for the jeans, he finds himself ensnared in a perilous turf war with the Yakuza upon his arrival in Japan.
Behind the Scenes
“Vintage Violence” features noteworthy crew members, including cinematographer Sean Price Williams, renowned for his work on films like “Good Time,” “The Sweet East,” and “The Moment.”
Director’s Vision
“‘Vintage Violence’ was made with lots of enthusiasm and cinephilia from everyone involved, so it’s great to work with Best Friend Forever, a company brimming with both those qualities,” Kotlyarenko stated. “Most importantly, we have the same goal in mind: for audiences all over the world to get rocked by this movie.”
Production Collaboration
The film sees Kotlyarenko reuniting with producers Alex Hughes and Riccardo Maddalosso of Spacemaker Productions, who also supported his previous works “Spree” and “The Code.” Their impressive portfolio includes titles like James Gray’s “Armageddon Time” and Sebastián Silva’s “Rotting in the Sun.” Co-productions come from Japan’s Barravento and Mam Film, known for “Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle” and “Love Life,” respectively.
Statement from Best Friend Forever
Co-founders of Best Friend Forever, Martin Gondre and Charles Bin, expressed their admiration for Kotlyarenko’s cinematic approach, stating, “We’re huge fans of Eugene’s cinema and the unique way he turns our hyper-connected moment into a playful, fresh cinematic language. ‘Vintage Violence’ feels like an exciting new step – a funny, romantic and irreverent thriller, made with a freedom of style that recalls Takashi Miike.”
Looking Ahead
“Vintage Violence” is part of Best Friend Forever’s fall 2026 slate, which also includes other promising titles such as “Half” and the Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury Prize winner “Elephants in the Fog.”
