Akiko Izumitani has been making movies since about 2010, and in recent years she’s worked her way up as a production assistant working on projects such as Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, upcoming Amazon series The Terminal List and Sony Pictures action thriller, Bullet Train.
All of these, among her experiences, are of course part and parcel to her true goals at the moment, which is to take on even bigger vehicles while looking for someone to represent her. In the meantime, she’s since followed up with her on-going string of independent shortfilms now with her latest effort, Yae: Blind Samurai Woman, with Yuwi Kim in the lead role.
In 18th century Japan, when a blind woman’s father is killed by a young samurai avenging his own father’s death, she agrees to be escorted to the nearest village.
There’s a more grand-scale hope for this particular piece so it’s safe to say it’s more of a proof-of-concept. The trailer itself shows potential as well, and if you need further convincing, you can always catch her 2015 action crime short, The Other Side. Watch it and you can easily get the idea that Izumitani is someone who is keen on learning how to shoot and direct action the way it’s suited without reverting to the old ways.
I like what she’s pitching, and we all would be wise to not overlook her. Sub to her channel and social media and let’s see what awaits!