As part of our Grimmfest 2025 coverage, we got the chance to quiz Incomplete Chairs director Kenichi Ugana all about this bold, funny and visceral film.
Can you tell us the inspirations behind the story for Incomplete Chairs?
I wanted to comment on the situation with social media, as it can become too much for some people. You can see extreme things on there, so I wanted to explain this.
How important was the casting of Ryu Ichinose in the lead role?
Yes very important. The character needs to be in control of every situation he’s in and Ryu perfectly captured this.
Also, were films such as American Psycho or Maniac an inspiration for Incomplete Chairs?
I’ve been watching horror films since I was a child as my mother watched a lot of horror. I think yes, American Psycho, but also David Cronenberg because of the special effects as well as how intense his films are.
Moving on naturally, the special effects in Incomplete Chairs are amazing, tell us about crafting some of those?
The practical effects are an essential part of telling this story. It was important for me to balance the gory moments with some humour which had me cross-referencing the script with the visuals a lot.
What are the plans for a wider release of Incomplete Chairs?
We’ve had our premiere in Vienna at the International Film Festival, and now here at Grimmfest. My hope is to continue touring the film at multiple festivals. I hope everyone is enjoying the film and we can look at a distribution deal in the near future.
Do you want to continue making gory films after this?
Yes of course! I’m hoping we can make Incomplete Tables (laughs).
The Monster: Ed Gein Story has just been released, was this on your mind or in your consciousness when crafting Incomplete Chairs?
Yeah a lot of people have asked about this, but the timing is a happy accident. The true story may have influenced slightly, but not directly.
Incomplete Chairs screened as part of Grimmfest 2025.
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