40 Years Since 'Gondola', Director Tomoo Ito, Diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer, Carves His Battle with Cancer and Love into Film with His Wife, Miné Asaoka. Latest Film 'Stage IV' Emergency Screening to be Held on Friday, June 26th at Theatre Shinjuku.

An emergency preview screening will be held on Friday, June 26, 2025, at Theatre Shinjuku.

We are pleased to announce that an emergency preview screening for 'Stage IV,' the second directorial work by Tomoo Ito, renowned for his legendary independent film 'Gondola' in 1987, will be held on Friday, June 26, 2025, at Theatre Shinjuku, 40 years after his debut.

Tickets for the screening are exclusively available as rewards for our crowdfunding campaign. We are currently raising funds on CAMPFIRE to cover the production costs and screening expenses for this film. The campaign operates on an All-in basis, meaning rewards will be delivered regardless of whether the target amount is reached, and it will continue until Friday, July 31, 2026.

▼ Crowdfunding Project for the Earliest Screening of the Film Starring Miné Asaoka, Wife of Tomoo Ito/TOHJIRO, Battling Terminal Cancer

https://camp-fire.jp/projects/950620/view

This film is a story based on the real-life experience of Director Ito himself, who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Despite strong opposition from his doctor to continue filming, the director declared, "I will finish shooting no matter what." He completed the film together with actress Miné Asaoka, who had waited over 30 years since the age of 21 for their promise to make a movie together to be fulfilled.

Actress Miné Asaoka and film director Tomoo Ito in their younger days.

■ About the Film 'Stage IV'

Director Ito and Miné Asaoka reviewing the actual filming. Director Ito, who declared, "I will finish shooting no matter what" despite strong opposition from his doctor.

This film, 'Stage IV,' is the second directorial work by Tomoo Ito, who surprised the world with the legendary independent film 'Gondola' in 1987, and is his first film in 40 years.

The production was initiated by Director Ito's own diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer. While undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy for his brain, he continued to film, even amidst strong opposition from his doctor who warned that "his stamina might not hold out."

The lead role and producer is Miné Asaoka, the director's wife and an actress. The promise made when she was 21, "Let's make a movie together someday," finally comes to fruition after more than 30 years.

The core of the story revolves around the couple's conflict over "food." The film realistically depicts the clashes and reconciliations between Asaoka, who undertakes a strict dietary therapy eliminating beef, sugar, and salt, and Director Ito, who is accustomed to rich flavors. The director states, "The front line of life and death is not a grand human drama, but a series of mundane arguments over whether the taste of food is bland or strong."

"What I wanted to depict most was not 'death,' but my wife's vitality and spirit."

The film conveys a baton of life through the wife's unwavering determination to cure her husband, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She memorizes lines late at night and continues to support him while preparing for a three-person play, embodying the spirit of living on.

Miné Asaoka, steadfastly supporting her husband diagnosed with terminal cancer, determined to cure him, memorizing lines late at night, and preparing for a three-person play.

■ Emergency Screening of 'Stage IV' Event Details

The promise, "Let's make a movie together someday," finally bears fruit after more than 30 years.

Date & Time: Friday, June 26, 2025, 19:30 onwards

Venue: Theatre Shinjuku (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)

Guest Speakers: Director Tomoo Ito, Miné Asaoka (Lead Actress & Producer)

*Guest speaker lineup is subject to change.

Content: Film Screening / After Talk / Lobby Reception

Special Website: https://film-stage4.com/

*Media Inquiries: Please contact the representative listed at the end of this press release.

■ Crowdfunding Campaign Underway!

We are currently running a crowdfunding campaign on CAMPFIRE to raise funds for the production costs and screening expenses of this film. As an All-in campaign, rewards will be delivered regardless of whether the target amount is met, and contributions are accepted until July 31, 2026.

An emergency preview screening will be held on Friday, June 26, 2025, at Theatre Shinjuku.

▼ Crowdfunding Project for the Earliest Screening of the Film Starring Miné Asaoka, Wife of Tomoo Ito/TOHJIRO, Battling Terminal Cancer

https://camp-fire.jp/projects/950620/view

■ About the Director and Lead Actress

Tomoo Ito (Director)

Tomoo Ito (Director)

In 1987, he produced the independent film 'Gondola' with a budget of 50 million yen, shot on 35mm film. It became a legendary work, described as a "quiet sensation," with a long run at Theatre Shinjuku, extensive media coverage by major outlets like the Asahi Shimbun, the reception of the OCIC Award (Catholic Film Award), and screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival.

He completed this current film while battling stage 4 lung cancer.

Miné Asaoka (Lead Actress & Producer)

Miné Asaoka (Lead Actress & Producer)

She has appeared in works by directors such as Juzo Itami and Shinji Nojima.

In recent years, she has also taken on roles in international productions, leveraging her English proficiency. She studied at the Ivana Chubbuck Studio in Los Angeles for two years. Following her husband's diagnosis, she immediately began searching for the best hospitals and implementing dietary therapy.

While supporting his battle with a strong will to "absolutely cure him," she also took on the role of producer, overseeing the entire production. She approached this film with the desire to "have the director's talent recognized by the world once again."