--- title: "Kitao Sakurai's Career in Independent Film" url: https://noti.group/kitao-sakurai-s-career-in-independent-film/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Entertainment" published: 2026-10-21T22:33:51.000Z updated: 2026-10-22T07:42:53.362Z id: 2ba2fd11-cc10-473a-9ca7-a2420e05f754 source: "The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/street-fighter-director-kitao-sakurai-ending-sequel-1236737763/" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/kitao-sakurai-s-career-in-independent-film/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Kitao Sakurai's Career in Independent Film Kitao Sakurai's unconventional approach to filmmaking began early on, influenced by diverse films at the Cleveland Cinematheque. Kitao Sakurai's unconventional approach to filmmaking has been a hallmark of his career since its early days as a teenage actor in Cleveland. His breakout role was in Kevin Smith's 1999 film Dogma, where he played an enforcer in the blue Highlands Clamdiggers jersey opposite notable actors like Bud Cort and Chris Rock. Sakurai's interest in filmmaking began to shift from acting to behind-the-scenes work after being exposed to a diverse range of films through the Cleveland Cinematheque. The programming diet, which included action-packed movies by Jackie Chan and Jet Li as well as more nuanced works by Robert Altman, sparked his desire to explore independent filmmaking. By the age of 19, Sakurai had dropped out of college and moved to New York to pursue a career in independent film. He started out working on music videos before crossing paths with Eric André on a shoot in the mid-2000s. This chance encounter would prove pivotal in his future endeavors. Sakurai's collaboration with André led to an opportunity to develop a proof of concept for The Eric Andre Show, a chaotic "anti-talk show" that impressed André with its unique aesthetic and attention to detail. However, selling the project proved challenging, with networks rejecting it multiple times before Sakurai and André decided to release it themselves on YouTube. Cartoon Network's Adult Swim unexpectedly took notice of the series in 2010, offering to air it as part of their programming lineup. This breakthrough led to a successful run for The Eric Andre Show, spawning over 60 episodes, several specials, and an Emmy win. Sakurai also made his feature directorial debut with Aardvark in 2010, a film that blended elements of documentary narrative and revenge thriller. While Aardvark hinted at Sakurai's willingness to experiment with unconventional storytelling, The Eric Andre Show further cemented this approach. The success of The Eric Andre Show highlighted the importance of embracing absurdity in filmmaking. Sakurai's ability to balance the ridiculous with a clear vision has been a key factor in his work's impact. This approach continues to inform his creative decisions and shape his unique filmmaking style. As Sakurai's career progresses, it is evident that his unconventional sensibilities have become an integral part of his filmography. From his early days as a teenage actor to his current status as a feature director, Sakurai has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in mainstream cinema. Sakurai's approach to storytelling emphasizes embracing the unconventional and letting go of traditional narrative expectations. This philosophy has guided him throughout his career, from his early days as a teenager to his current status as a feature director. His second feature film, Bad Trip, is a prime example of this approach. The hidden-camera buddy comedy follows two friends on a road trip to New York City, where they stage in-character pranks on unsuspecting members of the public. The reactions of these individuals are woven into the narrative, punctuated by shocking non-sequiturs that add to the film's energy. Sakurai and André began brainstorming ideas for Bad Trip as early as the second season of The Eric Andre Show. The project evolved over time, reflecting their collaborative spirit and willingness to take risks. By incorporating unconventional elements, they created a unique viewing experience that pushed the boundaries of mainstream cinema. The film was initially scheduled for release through MGM's Orion Pictures in 2019, but its theatrical debut was eventually postponed to 2020. However, just as the South by Southwest premiere was about to take place, the pandemic intervened, derailing the film's planned release. To make matters worse, Amazon Prime Video accidentally made Bad Trip available on its platform. Despite these setbacks, Sakurai acknowledges that the film found an audience during a time when people needed a lighthearted escape from the pandemic. Although he may have been disappointed by the lack of a theatrical release, he recognizes the film's impact on viewers who were seeking comfort and entertainment. The success of Bad Trip and his work directing episodes of the FX series Dave opened doors for Sakurai to take on new projects. He was given the opportunity to pitch on Legendary and Paramount's Street Fighter, which he had been eager to tackle. This chance allowed him to revisit a childhood favorite and bring it to life in a fresh way. Growing up, playing Street Fighter at his friends' houses was an essential part of Sakurai's experience. The video games provided a rare opportunity for him to see himself represented in popular media, connecting with his Japanese heritage. By helming the film adaptation, he aimed to recapture that sense of excitement and camaraderie. As a seasoned director, Sakurai has honed his ability to balance creative vision with commercial viability. His willingness to take risks and push boundaries has led to innovative storytelling that resonates with audiences. The making of Street Fighter represents another milestone in his career, one that he is eager to share with fans worldwide. Sakurai's approach to Street Fighter was a deliberate departure from what Legendary might have expected. The production company had been looking for a unique take on the franchise, something that would set it apart from other action movies. In fact, they were open to anything but a dark and grounded adaptation of Street Fighter. This gave Sakurai the freedom to explore unconventional ideas, ones that would inject some much-needed humor into the film. The director's vision was shaped by his collaboration with Cale Boyter, Legendary's producer on the project. Boyter shared Sakurai's enthusiasm for a more offbeat approach to the franchise, one that would capture its gonzo energy. As it turned out, Sakurai's willingness to take risks paid off in a big way. The film's blend of humor and action helped make it stand out from other movies in the genre. One notable example of this unconventional approach is the cameo appearance by the Philippou brothers. Instead of simply featuring them in a small role, Sakurai decided to give them a memorable part that showcased their signature style. The brothers' cameo was more than just a fun Easter egg for fans of their YouTube videos. It also served as a way to put any lingering tensions between them and the filmmakers at ease. In fact, the decision to include the Philippou brothers in the film was motivated by a desire to send a message about the importance of camaraderie and collaboration in the filmmaking process. Sakurai's background in animation is another example of his willingness to push boundaries. He recently used 90s-style animation for Street Fighter's flashbacks, a bold choice that helped bring the film's visuals to life in a unique way. As a young actor, I had already gained experience in film work before landing a role in Dogma, shot mostly in Pittsburgh. I was introduced to Kevin Smith through my local acting agent, who had arranged for me to audition for the part of one of the Stygian Triplets. The role allowed me to tap into my fandom of Robert Altman's Brewster McCloud and Hal Ashby's Harold and Maude, which I had admired greatly. My experience in film work continued even after Dogma was released, as moviemaking and acting are closely intertwined passions for me. Dogma marked a turning point in my career, marking the end of a decade-long hiatus from acting, although it wasn't that I lost interest entirely. Instead, I became more focused on other aspects of filmmaking, such as cinematography and directing, which had long fascinated me. Growing up in Cleveland, I spent countless hours at the Cleveland Cinematheque, a repertory theater showcasing an incredible range of films. These experiences instilled in me a deep appreciation for the art of filmmaking, particularly in action movies like those starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li. This fascination eventually led me to build my own darkroom in my basement, where I delved deeper into photography and image-making. My interests shifted further toward film after dropping out of college at 19 to pursue a career as an independent filmmaker, primarily working as a cinematographer. As an independent filmmaker, I worked on various projects, but my collaboration with a partner began without any connections to the film industry. We started making content for YouTube, unaware of what the future held. However, Adult Swim took notice of our work and picked it up, leading to a decade-long partnership. The success of this project paved the way for my second feature film, Bad Trip. This hidden-camera buddy comedy starred Eric and Lil Rel Howery, but its release was marred by delays and mishaps. Initially scheduled for 2019, the film's premiere was pushed to 2020 due to various reasons. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated matters, as it canceled the South by Southwest premiere and MGM/Orion's theatrical release. To add insult to injury, Amazon accidentally leaked the film digitally before Netflix acquired it for a 2021 release. This sequence of events must have been disheartening at the time. However, there was a silver lining amidst all this chaos. The movie's themes of human connection resonated with audiences during a time when people were stuck at home and craving authentic experiences. The comedy in Bad Trip stems from real-life interactions, making it a cathartic outlet for viewers. Despite being disappointed that Bad Trip didn't receive a theatrical release as intended, the film still managed to connect with people on a deeper level. Its themes of human connection and authenticity transcended the challenges it faced during its release. The experience was not unique to me, as another incident highlighted the industry's occasional mishaps. Amazon Prime Video accidentally released Jason Statham's Mutiny right before its theatrical premiere, demonstrating that mistakes can still happen in this era of digital releases. When I had the opportunity to pitch for Street Fighter, my team and I drew inspiration from the existing assets and ideas developed by Danny and Michael Philippou before they left the project. Their concept was loosely based on a Ken and Ryu story, which provided a solid foundation for our pitch. Our goal was to build upon their work while also bringing our unique perspective to the project. By doing so, we aimed to create a compelling narrative that would captivate audiences worldwide. The collaboration between my team and the project's developers ultimately led to a successful pitch and the greenlighting of Street Fighter. The Philippou brothers' decision to focus on the fraternal relationship between Ken and Ryu was a deliberate choice that resonated with Kitao Sakurai. Sakurai found the concept of brotherhood appealing, drawing from his own storytelling style as seen in Bad Trip. He applied his unique spin to the core narrative, revamping the rest of the story around this central theme. Notably, the Philippou brothers made appearances in the movie themselves, albeit brief ones. They can be spotted fighting on a pickup truck in the foreground of M. Bison's hotel scene. Their cameo was a humorous touch that added to the film's lighthearted tone. Sakurai also pointed out the unusual instance where former directors make cameos in new director's movies, citing Richard Stanley as another example. --- Source: [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/street-fighter-director-kitao-sakurai-ending-sequel-1236737763/) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/kitao-sakurai-s-career-in-independent-film/