Japan's IMJ engulfs Studio Swan
Company absorbs theatrical production unit
Launched in March 2005 by IMJE as a theatrical production unit, Swan produced Takehiko Shinjo's 2006 weepy "But I Love You" (Tada kimi o aishiteiru) and last year's Tatsuya Hagishima fantasy drama "I Can Only Hear You" (Kiki shika kikoenai), while establishing itself as a maker of TV commercials.
The Swan name will survive as an IMJE production label, but Swan will cease to exist as a stand-alone company. The merger, which will improve operations and provide production synergies, will be effected through a stock swap, with five Swan shares exchanged for one IMJE share.
Coming up on the Swan slate are Tatsuya Hagishima youth pic "Kids," skedded for a Feb. 2 release, and the Tomoyuki Furumaya sports pic "Naoko," set for a Feb. 16 bow.
