Tiger Roars at Busan: Anshul Chauhan’s LGBTQ+ Drama Makes World Premiere

A new Japanese film Tiger, directed by Anshul Chauhan, has had its world premiere today at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in South Korea.

The film screened in the “Vision ,Asia” section, a platform designed to spotlight bold Asian cinema and voices that push boundaries with stories rarely seen on mainstream screens.

Tiger tells the story of Taiga Katagiri, a 35-year-old gay masseuse in Tokyo whose life spirals after his mother’s death.

When his father falls critically ill, Taiga returns home expecting to inherit the family house, only to face rejection from his sister who threatens to expose his closeted sexuality unless he surrenders his claim.

Through reconnecting with a married friend and spending time with his young niece, Taiga begins to reimagine what “family” could mean, with the film exploring themes of inheritance, acceptance, and the concept of “friendship marriage” as an alternative to conventional family life.

Produced by Mina Moteki of Kowatanda Films and Michael Carrier of Tower5 Entertainment, the film runs at 126 minutes with cinematography by Vinod Vijayasankaran and music composed by Tyler McBeth and Mora Moth.

The project, inspired by real-life accounts of LGBTQ+ people in Japan, shines light on the struggles of older queer individuals navigating tradition, secrecy, and belonging.

Tiger also marks Chauhan’s fourth feature in Japan, continuing his reputation for crafting socially charged stories. International sales are being managed by Free Stone Productions.

The film is now in contention for the Vision Awards at Busan, as festival audiences and critics alike turn their attention to its emotional narrative and representation of LGBTQ+ life in modern Japan.