Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!
2026 drama film by Josef Kubota Wladyka
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Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! is a 2026 American drama film directed by Josef Kubota Wladyka and written by Wladyka and Nicholas Huynh. It stars Rinko Kikuchi, Alberto Guerra, Alejandro Edda, You, Yoh Yoshida, and Damián Alcázar.
- Josef Kubota Wladyka
- Nicholas Huynh
- Kimberly Parker Zox
- Mao Nagakura
- Josef Kubota Wladyka
- Rinko Kikuchi
- Alberto Guerra
- Alejandro Edda
- You
- Yoh Yoshida
- Damián Alcázar
| Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Josef Kubota Wladyka |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Daniel Satinoff |
| Edited by | Benjamin Rodriguez, Jr. |
| Music by | Nathan Halpern |
Production company | The Fool |
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Classics |
Release date |
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Running time | 122 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages |
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The film marks a stylistic departure for Wladyka, moving from the gritty thrillers of his previous work into a music-driven character study.[1] It premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Directing Award Dramatic.[2][3]
Premise
Haru (Rinko Kikuchi) and Luis (Alejandro Edda) are passionate competitors in the Tokyo ballroom dance scene. After a tragedy causes Haru to withdraw into isolation, her friends coax her back to the studio, where she develops an infatuation with a new instructor (Alberto Guerra). As sparks fly, Haru must navigate her grief and her newfound desire.[4]
Cast
- Rinko Kikuchi as Haru
- Alberto Guerra as Fedir
- Alejandro Edda as Luis
- You as Hiromi
- Yoh Yoshida as Yuki
- Damián Alcázar as Jacobo
Production
The film is directed by Josef Kubota Wladyka, who previously collaborated with lead actress Rinko Kikuchi on the Max series Tokyo Vice, where he directed episodes and she starred as Emi Maruyama.[5] Wladyka also serves as a producer alongside Kimberly Parker Zox and Mao Nagakura.
The project highlights a unique cultural intersection, featuring a Japanese lead cast alongside prominent Latin American actors Alberto Guerra and Damián Alcázar.[6] The film features dialogue in Japanese, English, and Spanish.
Release
Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2026, where it won the Directing Award Dramatic.[7][8] A week later, Sony Pictures Classics acquired distribution rights to the film.[9]