‘Drive My Car’ Star Nishijima Hidetoshi’s Busan-Bound Drama ‘Dear Stranger’ Boarded by EST N8 for International Sales (EXCLUSIVE)

EST N8 has acquired global sales rights to “Dear Stranger,” a suspense drama from Tokyo production house Roji Films. The agreement covers worldwide territories with the exception of certain Asian markets.

The Japanese-Taiwanese production stars Nishijima Hidetoshi, known for his role in Oscar-winning “Drive My Car,” alongside Taiwanese actor Gwei Lun-Mei from Berlin Golden Bear winner “Black Coal, Thin Ice.” Director Mariko Tetsuya helms the project, building on his previous festival success with “Destruction Babies,” which earned him Locarno’s emerging director prize, and “From Miyamoto to You,” recipient of the Asia Film Critics Association Netpac screenplay award.

Set in New York, the drama explores what happens when a child’s disappearance threatens to destroy his parents’ marriage. The crisis forces the Japanese father and Taiwanese-American mother to confront concealed truths that push their relationship to breaking point.

Following its Sept. 12 theatrical release in Japan, “Dear Stranger” will screen at Busan International Film Festival for its international premiere before serving as the Golden Horse Film Festival’s closing film.

The production involves multiple companies across Asia. Roji Films’ Shu Eisei leads the producer team, joined by Takahashi Naoya from Toei, Éther Production’s Liang Ying, and Q&A Entertainment’s Julia Xu. Additional co-producers include Hsu Kuo-Lun at Loulou Film Studio, Rollin Studios’ Anthony Argento, and The Jokers Films’ Manuel Chiche, with The Jokers handling French release duties.

EST N8’s Sophie Shi and Cathy Ni negotiated the sales deal. Shi, who heads EST N8’s studio division, said: “What excites me about ‘Dear Stranger’ is how it captures the layered identities and emotional complexities of cross-cultural marriage and immigrant life. It’s a deeply human story that speaks to the Asian and Asian American experience while resonating far beyond it.”

The title expands EST N8’s roster, which features projects from across Asia including Korean thrillers, Filipino horror films, and Malaysian action titles.

EST Studios launched in 2022 under founders Jaeson Ma and Eric Tu to champion Asian storytelling in international markets. The company develops and finances projects for major film festivals and markets worldwide.

Sister company N8, established in 2023 by Kris Eiamsakulrat and Rachel Y. Wu, operates from Bangkok with additional offices in New York and Los Angeles. The studio has previously worked with GDH on Thai horror “Home For Rent” and supported Bhutan’s Oscar submission “The Monk and The Gun.”

Roji Films specializes in international collaborations, developing both art house and commercial projects. Beyond “Dear Stranger,” the company produced body horror “Omionna,” which earned recognition at the Gotham Project Market.