Breakthrough’s Anne of Green Gables Heads to Japan

TORONTO: Breakthrough Entertainment has inked a deal with Happinet Corporation and Synergy Entertainment that will see L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables make its theatrical release in Japan this spring.

L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables will premiere in Japanese theaters on May 6, followed by the film’s DVD and VOD release in the country. The book-based movie, which stars Martin Sheen, Ella Ballentine and Sara Botsford, is written by Susan Coyne and directed by John Kent Harrison. It was produced by Breakthrough in association with Corus Entertainment’s YTV.

Nat Abraham, partner and president of distribution at Breakthrough Entertainment, stated: “It is a tremendous opportunity to bring our Anne to an audience who displays an unwavering support for this beloved Canadian character. Partnering with these important Japanese distributors will surely further build on the theatrical success that the film has seen.”

Kate MacDonald Butler, granddaughter of L.M. Montgomery and executive producer, added: “Although Anne Shirley is beloved and celebrated worldwide, Japan has always held her dearly in many aspects of their culture. The support that the Japanese people have shown the Anne of Green Gables stories makes this a very significant theatrical release for the film.”