Director Toshiro Ito Screens 'StageIV' After Stage 4 Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Director Toshiro Ito, known for the 1987 independent film 'Gondola,' will hold an emergency screening of his second directorial work 'StageIV' on June 26, 2026 at Theatre Shinjuku.
1 source Jun 9
Reporting from 1 source: ASCII.jp.
Why it matters
The screening presents Ito's second feature in 40 years, made under the direct circumstance of his terminal diagnosis, with his wife as lead actress and producer.
Key Facts
- Director Toshiro Ito will screen his second directorial work 'StageIV' on June 26, 2026 at Theatre Shinjuku.
- Ito was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer before production began and continued filming during chemotherapy and brain radiation against his doctor's advice.
- His wife, actress Mirei Asaoka, is the lead actress and producer of the film.
- The story centers on the couple's conflict over dietary therapy that eliminated beef, sugar, and salt.
- Tickets are available only through a crowdfunding campaign on CAMPFIRE, running until July 31, 2026.
The film follows his real battle with stage 4 lung cancer alongside his wife, actress Mirei Asaoka, and is funded through a crowdfunding campaign on CAMPFIRE.
Director Toshiro Ito, who made the independent film 'Gondola' in 1987, will screen his second directorial work 'StageIV' on June 26, 2026 at Theatre Shinjuku. The film began production after Ito was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He continued filming during chemotherapy and brain radiation against his doctor's advice. His wife, actress Mirei Asaoka, is the lead actress and producer. The story centers on the couple's conflict over dietary therapy, which eliminated beef, sugar, and salt. Ito said he wanted to depict 'not death, but my wife's vitality and feelings.' Tickets are available only through a crowdfunding campaign on CAMPFIRE, running until July 31, 2026.
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