October 31, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

US and UK Theatrical Release Dates Announced for New Music Documentary: YOSHIKI: Under The Sky – Directed by International Rock Star and Composer YOSHIKI – featuring Sarah Brightman, The Chainsmokers, Nicole Scherzinger, St. Vincent, and more

Simultaneous release begins worldwide rollout of emotional film featuring leading musicians from around the globe

New music documentary film YOSHIKI: UNDER THE SKY will be released in the US and UK, with limited engagement showings announced for November and December. More countries and locations will be announced soon, following the film’s successful run in Japan with a release in over 70 theaters through Toho Cinemas.

This September, YOSHIKI became the first Japanese artist to be honored with a handprint and footprint ceremony at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood since the tradition began in 1927.

YOSHIKI returned to headline a sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall last week in New York City, after dazzling audiences and receiving standing ovations at Royal Albert Hall in London, Tokyo Garden Theater, and Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. This marks the first time a Japanese artist has headlined all these historic venues.

YOSHIKI: UNDER THE SKY gathers an extraordinary collection of international artists post pandemic for an emotional journey through the pain of losing loved ones and uniting globally through the healing power of music.

Shot in Germany, Beijing, Tokyo, and LA, the film features interviews and performances from Sarah Brightman (UK), Nicole Scherzinger (USA), St. Vincent (USA), Scorpions (Germany), The Chainsmokers (USA), HYDE (Japan), SUGIZO (Japan), SixTONES (Japan), Jane Zhang (China), Lindsey Stirling (USA), to celebrate voices joined from across international borders post Covid.

Interspersed throughout the film are interviews with YOSHIKI about his passion for music and the pain of having lost loved ones, including a heartbreaking interaction with the husband of a terminally ill fan. The film celebrates the deep healing power of music and YOSHIKI’s resolve to never give up.

Watch the film trailer here:
https://www.yoshikiundertheskyfilm.com/

Directed by YOSHIKI – composer, drummer, pianist, and leader of rock bands X Japan and The Last Rockstars – the project is the artist’s first feature film as director and was conceived during the pandemic when musicians could not connect with their fans.

Amongst YOSHIKI’s long list of accolades in music, fashion, and film, he has composed a concerto for the Emperor of Japan; was the first Japanese man on the cover of Vogue Japan; was chosen to be the first living person to have a Hello Kitty doll named after him, called “yoshikitty”, and has received international recognition for his continued philanthropic efforts.

The film is produced by Emmy award-winning Sid Ganis (Iron Man, Akeelah and the Bee, The Making of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’), Emmy award-winning Mark Ritchie (Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé, The Big Steppers Tour: Live from Paris), VMA nominated Doug Kluthe (Tasmin Archer: Sleeping Satellite, Selena: Dreaming of You), Emmy-winning Aaron Latham-James (Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact, My Next Guest Needs No introduction with David Letterman: Zachary Galifianakis, Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now) and Consulting Producer Stephen Kijak (We Are X, Stones in Exile, Scott Walker: 30 Century Man). Abramorama is handling global distribution.

YOSHIKI said, “When I first began working on this project, I didn’t know when we would all be able to gather in the same place and share the joy of music. Coming together with these great artists from around the world, we were able to create a theatrical experience that I’m very proud of. I’m so grateful for everyone who joined us on this journey and I’m incredibly excited to be releasing the film in UK cinemas this December.”

The critically-acclaimed documentary film about the YOSHIKI’s band X Japan – We Are X – was released in 2016 in 30 countries, winning awards at the SXSW and Sundance Film Festivals.

YOSHIKI: UNDER THE SKY – International Theatrical Release
US – starting November 2nd. Tickets: TCL Chinese Theatre
UK – starting 1st December. Tickets: ODEON Cinemas

UK Special Event: YOSHIKI Live Q&A – 5th December: ODEON Covent Garden

* More international dates to be announced soon.

YOSHIKI: UNDER THE SKY (USA, 91min., English and Japanese) An A List Media Entertainment Production. Produced by Sid Ganis, Mark Ritchie, Doug Kluthe, Aaron Latham-James. Directed by YOSHIKI. An Abramorama Global Theatrical Release.

Information: https://yoshikiundertheskyfilm.com/

YOSHIKI
Official website: https://www.yoshiki.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoshikiofficial/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/yoshiki

About YOSHIKI

YOSHIKI is a composer, classically-trained pianist, rock drummer, and the leader of the rock groups X Japan and The Last Rockstars. YOSHIKI was named “one of the most influential musicians and composers in Japanese history” by Consequence and is described by Billboard as “a musical innovator”. He is the first Japanese artist to be honored with a hand and footprint ceremony at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood since the tradition began in 1927.

His worldwide projects include a song dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the Emperor of Japan’s reign, the official theme song for the World Expo, Hollywood film soundtracks, and the official theme song for the prestigious Golden Globe Awards. Led by YOSHIKI, X Japan has sold over 30 million albums and singles and sold out the 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome a record-breaking 18 times. He was the first Asian musician to perform at the world’s greatest music halls including Madison Square Garden, Wembley Arena, and solo performances at Carnegie Hall.

In 2022, YOSHIKI’s talent competition series YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X became the #1 ranked variety show on Hulu Japan, leading to the upcoming debut of hot new boy band “XY”. Recently, YOSHIKI formed the rock supergroup The Last Rockstars, followed by the release of their first single and a sold-out world tour. In July 2023, X Japan released “Angel”, the band’s first single in eight years.

In addition to his music activities, he is also a fashion icon as the designer of his high-fashion kimono brand YOSHIKIMONO and the first Japanese male to appear on the cover of Vogue Japan. YOSHIKI was chosen to be the first living person to have a Hello Kitty doll named after him, called “yoshikitty”. He is also the founder of Yoshiki Foundation America, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit organization, and has long been committed to philanthropy. In 2021, Baccarat selected YOSHIKI to design a Harcourt glass in celebration of its 180th anniversary.

His Y by Yoshiki wine brand is continually sold-out across Japan, and the newly-released Y by Yoshiki x Champagne Pommery is sold in Japan and Germany, setting unprecedented sales records. In 2022, YOSHIKI formed a business partnership with Coca-Cola Japan to launch the energy drinks Real Gold X and Real Gold Y. In 2023, YOSHIKI announced his new high fashion brand MAISON YOSHIKI PARIS.

In October 2023, YOSHIKI will perform Yoshiki Classical 10th Anniversary World Tour with Orchestra 2023 “REQUIEM”, headlining shows at Tokyo Garden Theater (Tokyo), Royal Albert Hall (London), Dolby Theater (L.A.), and Carnegie Hall (New York). This tour will be the first time a Japanese artist has headlined all these historic venues.

Official website: https://www.yoshiki.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoshikiofficial/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/yoshiki

About Abramorama

Abramorama is a preeminent global distribution, marketing and sales partner for nonfiction and music films. An innovator in creating and implementing personalized worldwide distribution, marketing, and live and event cinema, Abramorama provides customized strategic services to filmmakers, networks, record labels, artists and IP owners, across all platforms and in all territories. In its over 25+ years of operation, Abramorama has collaborated with many of the most respected global brands in entertainment, including The Beatles, Dolly Parton, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Neil Young, Melanie Martinez, Laurie Anderson, Jimi Hendrix, Green Day, National Geographic, AARP, Apple, Amazon, HBO, Hulu, Universal Music Group, Atlantic Records, Warner Music Group, and Sony, among others. Through a powerful global network of cinemas, digital media outlets, and affinity marketing partners, Abramorama strategically implements a unified distribution and audience activation plan for each title. Abramorama is expert at maximizing reach, engagement, marketing spends, and Impact ROI for films created for target audiences. For more information, visit abramorama.com.