Japanese folk singer-songwriter and actor Izumiya Shigeru is teaming up with director Ishii Takeo for a live concert film, marking their first collaboration in nearly half a century.

The project, titled "Genius or Disaster?! Izumiya Shigeru All-Out Live THE MOVIE," kicked off crowdfunding this week to support production. Izumiya and Ishii previously worked together on cult classics "Crazy Bloom Sunderoad" and "Burst City" in the early 1980s. The reunion comes as Izumiya approaches his 80th birthday.

Instead of traditional theater releases, the finished film will be screened exclusively at live music venues—a decision rooted in Izumiya's pandemic-era efforts to support Japan's live house culture. Both the director and artist emphasized this choice reflects their commitment to preserving that artistic ecosystem.

Izumiya, a folk music institution since his 1971 debut with "Way Back Home," has maintained an active performing and acting career. In recent years, his television work has gained particular attention. Ishii, known for his experimental filmmaking approach, called his reunion with Izumiya "inevitable," describing how their 8mm film encounters in the 1980s shaped his entire creative philosophy.

The crowdfunding campaign offers various rewards, including set visit invitations, exclusive merchandise, limited edition art prints, and a rare opportunity for five lucky supporters to attend a private talk and performance with Izumiya himself.

In his statement, Izumiya expressed humility about asking Ishii—after only two previous film collaborations—to create an entire live concert film, but emphasized the director was the only choice. Ishii echoed the sentiment, recalling how Izumiya's artistry and rock spirit fundamentally influenced his career trajectory decades ago.

The director plans to capture not just Izumiya's current performance energy, but what he calls the singer's "raw human power" and distinctive musicianship, alongside his supporting band's contributions. Ishii framed the project as an exploration of what makes Izumiya's artistic presence uniquely compelling across generations.