Tarsem Singh’s “The Fall” 4K Digital Remaster to Premiere Nationwide on November 21

The 4K digital remaster of the film The Fall will be released nationwide on Friday, November 21, at theaters including Shinjuku Musashino-kan, Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho, Bunkamura Le Cinema Shibuya Miyashita, and Grand Cinema Sunshine Ikebukuro.

Directed by Tarsem Singh, hailed as a “visual magician,” the film was conceived over 26 years and shot across four years. Often described as a “cult fantasy epic,” The Fall had long been considered a “phantom” in Japan, as it was never streamed domestically since its theatrical release in 2008. The upcoming 4K digital remaster will also include previously cut scenes from the original release.

This grand independent production, financed in part by Tarsem himself, received strong support from two of America’s filmmaking giants, David Fincher and Spike Jonze. Without relying on CGI, the film was shot across more than 24 countries, featuring 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and draws on art, fashion, music, architecture, and diverse cultures from around the world to create its stunning visual narrative.

The story follows stuntman Roy, who is hospitalized after a serious accident during filming. While he lies in bed, he meets Alexandria, a five-year-old girl who is also in the hospital after falling from a tree and breaking her arm. To pass the time and distract from his own despair, Roy begins to spin an imaginative adventure story for Alexandria. Through her imagination, scenes of the tale unfold: people dressed in flowing white robes moving in perfect formation, six colorful heroes, the heroine Princess Evelyn set against India’s Lake Pichola, and iconic landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and Villa Adriana, as well as landscapes like the Namib Desert and the Fiji Islands.

Costume designer Eiko Ishioka created a distinct visual world for the film. Each character’s attire reflects their cultural and ethnic background, combining bold materials and imaginative designs to produce a unique atmosphere. Princess Evelyn’s dress, for instance, features a red base and a fan-inspired hair ornament, exemplifying Ishioka’s playful and avant-garde touch.