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I had wanted to get to know you better.

In March of 2025, my wife Jyotika and I were very happy to finally get to attend an Other World X screening. I had met director Yuichi Kondo 近藤 勇 on the film festival circuit and the friendship we struck up eventually culminated to this moment. When Jyotika and I arrived at Koenji Theater Bacchus we were warmly welcomed by owner Daigo Maruyama 丸山大悟. Over the afternoon it became very clear that Mr. Maruyama treated everyone with that same warmth and acceptance. For myself and my fellow filmmakers, he treated beginners with the same respect as those with experience and he was very interested in what story each was trying to tell. It’s so important for us as artists to be able to share our art, to meet with other artists, and connect with our audience. Mr. Maruyama created a safe place where that could happen. It was also a wonderful forum to promote live action film.

After our screening and a mixer which was great fun, it was still early, so I asked those still present if they wanted to grab a bite to eat. Mr. Maruyama, Masahiro Sudo 須藤正裕, Takuya Kumagai 熊谷拓哉, Mr. Toyoba 豊場さん, and Yuichi Kondo 近藤 勇 very kindly took us across the street to a genuine Japanese izakaya. With the help of Mr. Sudo and Google Translate, we had a wonderful time talking about film and growing up in different cultures. It was then that I knew I wanted to get to know Daigo Maruyama better. Which is one reason why his passing was such a shock. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and colleagues for whom we’re certain it was far worse. I’m very sad that Maruyama-san won’t be able to tell me more himself but I know that through his works and through those he’s touched, I will get to know him at least a little better. For certain, others will follow his example and take up his cause to promote filmmakers, independent film, and live action film in Japan.

Thank you to Mr. Kondo for inviting me to write a few words and to all those who have been a part of Koenji Theater Bacchus.

Ben Alpi and Jyotika Virmani

(This appeared in a memorial booklet created for Mr. Maruyama.)