#TIFF26: “HA-CHAN, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY!” TRAILER

Oscar nominee Rinko Kikuchi stars in Josef Kubota Wladyka’s HA-CHAN, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY!, a vibrant and moving exploration of grief and the transformative power of dance. The film is set to make its Canadian premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.

Set against the colourful world of Tokyo’s ballroom dance scene, Haru (Kikuchi) and her husband Luis (Alejandro Edda) share a passion for competing together. Though when tragedy strikes, Haru retreats into isolation and depression. Her spark fades, along with her love of ballroom dancing – and, seemingly, her desire for life itself.

Nine months later, Haru’s sister Yuki (Yoh Yoshida) and cousin Hiromi (YOU) decide it’s time to take action. Determined to bring Haru back into the world, they coax her into returning to the dance studio, encouraging her to dance, date, and begin putting herself back out there. There, she develops an infatuation with a new instructor (Alberto Guerra), forcing her to confront the possibilities and uncertainties of this new chapter in her life.

Moving gracefully between languages, cultures and tones, HA-CHAN, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY! is anchored by meticulous choreography, evocative production design, and a fun soundtrack. At its centre is a captivating performance from Kikuchi, who brings Haru’s journey from heartbreak to rediscovery to life.

For Wladyka, the film is deeply personal. He drew inspiration from his own mother, who navigated years of hardship through the art of dance and continues to compete today at the age of 81. Her resilience and enduring passion became a key inspiration for the film’s exploration of finding a way forward, no matter what life throws your way.

Earlier this year, Wladyka received the Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

HA-CHAN, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY! will be released in Canadian theatres by Mongrel Media September 25, 2026.