Winner Special Jury Prize for Narrative Feature, Cinema On The Bayou Film Festival, Lafayette, Louisiana
Special Jury Award for Music, DisOrient Asian American Film Festival, Eugene, Oregon
Nominated for Best Feature Film, Carmarthen Bay Film Festival, UK.
Canadian Digital Launch – August 11
Available on iTunes, Bell, Cineplex, Cogeco, Rogers, Shaw, Telus, and Vimeo
iTunes pre-sale available now
Snatch meets Whiplash in this award-winning orchestral crime caper.
In a career that spans 11 feature films, 160 music videos, 70 television episodes, a BAFTA award and two Emmy nominations, Warren P. Sonoda’s latest film, Things I Do For Money is the first time he turns his Japanese-Canadian roots on for the camera. Not to mention, this is the very first Canadian genre feature (Crime) written and directed by a Japanese-Canadian filmmaker, starring four Japanese-Canadian Actors that has ever been made, and is the first to be sold domestically to Canada (Raven Banner) and to the US (SP Releasing).
This kinetic crime caper goes digital for the Canadian masses, launching August 11 on iTunes, Rogers, Bell, Shaw, Vimeo, and Cogeco. Pre-sales for iTunes start August 4.
Bold in its execution and a historic addition to the Canadian crime cannon, Things I Do For Money is a dynamic thriller, set to the full-bodied sounds of the cello. Eli and Nick Yaguchi, two Japanese-Canadian cello-playing brothers from Hamilton, Ontario (played by real-life virtuoso brothers Theodor and Maximilian Aoki in their film debuts) inadvertently steal a bag of money. And yes, trouble ensues, starting with a lethal Vancouver hit man that turns out to be their estranged uncle Just Jimmy (played by their actual father, Edward Aoki). Through a confluence of events and massive bad luck, they also have to save their father’s life, steal an $8 million dollar painting and fight for their lives to get into a prestigious music conservatory. Along the way they discover that everyone has a price and that family never bails on family, no matter the cost.
Rounding out the cast is Yodit Tewoderos (Laura), Rhett Morita (Tosh Yaguchi), Jennifer Lynn Walton (Mary Yaguchi), Dax Lough (Alexi Raduli), Danilo Reyes (Gonzo), Colette Zacca (Brenda Mickel) and Ali A. Kazmi (Cossy).
The film also features some of Canada’s best recording artists, The Arkells, July Talk, Jane’s Party and the legendary, iconic, The Northern Pikes whose titular song anchors the film’s most intense scene. Not to mention the phenomenal original score, composed and performed by acting leads and brand-new film composers, Maximilian and Theodor Aoki. This original soundtrack for THINGS I DO FOR MONEY – will be released through IndieCan Records later this year.
