Gregory Hatanaka

Biography

Gregory Hatanaka is an American filmmaker, producer, and distributor whose career bridges international film distribution and independent feature production. He is the founder of Cinema Epoch and Cineridge Entertainment, companies through which he has overseen the release and circulation of a wide range of independent and international films across theatrical and digital platforms. Hatanaka began his career in film distribution in the 1990s, working with cult and international cinema and helping introduce global genre and arthouse titles to U.S. audiences. His early work focused particularly on Asian and specialty films, reflecting a long-standing passion for drive-in cinema, action films, and unconventional storytelling. This foundation in international distribution informed his later approach as a filmmaker, blending genre tradition with stylistic experimentation. Transitioning into directing and producing his own features, Hatanaka developed a body of work that moves between action, thriller, drama, and surreal independent cinema. His films often explore themes of identity, obsession, moral ambiguity, and emotional isolation. Visually, his work combines classical influences wi…

Directed

1. Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance (2015) — Director
2. Kill Plan (2021) — Director
3. Mad Cowgirl (2006) — Director
4. Quarantine Girl (2020) — Director
5. Choke (2020) — Director
6. Blue Dream (2013) — Director
7. American Nudist (2011) — Director
8. Darling Nikki (2019) — Director
9. Until the Night (2004) — Director
10. The Awakening of Emanuelle (2021) — Director
11. Body of Night (2020) — Director
12. Heartbeat (2020) — Director
13. Violent Blue (2011) — Director
14. Amityville Cop (2021) — Director
15. Caged Beauty (2016) — Director
16. A Christmas Love (2020) — Director
17. Hunter (2015) — Director
18. A Wiseguy Christmas (2021) — Director
19. Amor Emanuelle (2023) — Director
20. American Mobster: Retribution (2021) — Director
21. Death Game (2017) — Director
22. Bolero (2024) — Director
23. A Man Is Dead (2025) — Director
24. Sasquatch Within (2026) — Director
25. Bar Paradise (2005) — Director
26. Deadly Western (2023) — Director
27. Bad Timing (2022) — Director
28. Dark Deeds (2022) — Director
29. Night Cops (2023) — Director
30. Crack (2023) — Director
31. Blow Out (2024) — Director
32. Sleaze Please: The World of Bill Margold (2024) — Director
33. Sudden Light (2026) — Director
34. Beyond Sasquatch (2026) — Director
35. Sorority House Guillotine (2026) — Director
36. Another Way To Die (2022) — Director
37. Backfire (2023) — Director
38. Call Me Emanuelle (2022) — Director
39. American Western (2022) — Director
40. The DeMarco Crew (2024) — Director

Also appeared in

1. Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance (2015) — Richard Forst
2. A Man Is Dead (2025)
3. Blow Out (2024) — Fatalama
4. Another Way To Die (2022) — Raj Sati Benefit
5. Enter the Samurai: The Making of Samurai Cop 2 (2019) — Self
6. Deconstructing Dunning (2016)
7. Jeffrey Epstein: The Bad Sleep Well (2026) — Lapatas
8. Yakuza Girl (2024) — Takasi