Netflix relocation sparks new ventures for former employee Matthew Kelson in Japan

Matthew Kelson's life took a dramatic turn when he was transferred to Japan by Netflix in 2020. The 43-year-old had been working for the company in Los Angeles but found himself relocated to Tokyo, where he spent two years before moving to Uenohara, a small town about an hour and a half from the capital.

Kelson's experience in Japan wasn't entirely new to him, having spent time there as a teenager through an exchange program. He had also returned to the country a couple of times as an adult before his relocation with Netflix. During this period, he developed a deep appreciation for Japanese culture and way of life.

After leaving his job at Netflix earlier this year, Kelson decided to stay in Japan and pursue new ventures. He recently renovated a kindergarten in Uenohara and has also founded an independent cinema called CineYama in the same town. This marked a significant departure from his previous role with one of the world's largest streaming services.

The experience of running a cinema in a small Japanese town is vastly different from Kelson's time working for Netflix, but he seems to be thriving in this new environment. His story will continue as we explore what led him to open a movie theater and how it has become an integral part of the local community.

I maintained ties to Tokyo by attending occasional meetings and traveling throughout Asia for film screenings. This allowed me to stay connected to the industry while working remotely from home.

The restructuring at Amazon led to my departure in 2024, but I had already made Japan my home. My family's decision to relocate was driven by a desire to raise our children in this vibrant country.

My daughter was only six months old when we moved, and three years later, my son joined the family. We believed that Japan offered an ideal environment for them to grow up.

As I settled into life outside of Tokyo, I began to think about how I could use my expertise in cinema to give back to the local community.

As I navigated my new life outside of Tokyo, I found myself pondering ways to leverage my film expertise for the benefit of the local community.

This train of thought likely stemmed from my past experiences working in various capacities within the film industry, which had sparked a curiosity about the world around me. My early encounters with filmmaking were particularly influential, as I took a course at the Detroit Film Center when I was just 23 years old. This marked the beginning of a professional journey that would see me work as both a teacher and projectionist.

My experiences in the film industry continued to unfold, taking me from an independent art theater in the suburbs to renovating an old school's auditorium into a theater in Michigan using my own savings. However, after disputes with the landlord led to its closure, I was left searching for a fresh start. This ultimately led me to Los Angeles in 2011, where I sought out opportunities within film distribution until landing a job on Netflix's creative team two years later.

The path that had brought me to Japan was not without its twists and turns, but the experience of acquiring permanent residency there proved to be a significant milestone in my journey. With this new foundation established, I turned my attention to renovating an abandoned kindergarten, a project that required navigating the complexities of obtaining necessary permits.

Renovating the abandoned kindergarten posed new challenges. The process involved negotiating with city hall officials and local residents about how the building would be used, establishing a company, and complying with regulations regarding fire safety, health standards, and construction.

This was a learning experience for me, particularly in terms of understanding the importance of patience when dealing with bureaucratic processes in Japan. I discovered that pushing to expedite decisions is not always effective; instead, it's essential to build trust and demonstrate a commitment to the project over the long term.

As part of the renovation process, I restored an old kindergarten building into a cinema called CineYama. This involved several milestones, including securing the property, passing inspections, installing equipment such as projectors, and finally opening the doors to the public.

The cinema's grand opening in March was met with a mix of curiosity and skepticism from local residents, particularly elderly ones who were initially cautious about the new development. However, after attending a preview screening, they expressed their appreciation for the effort put into restoring the building and creating a space where families can enjoy movies together.

The cinema's unique approach to content is a deliberate choice, designed to showcase films that may be harder to find elsewhere. This focus provides viewers with a broader perspective on different ways of life and culture, setting it apart from more mainstream cinemas.

Behind the scenes, the theater is largely family-run, with the owner managing operations and their wife contributing occasionally. Even the kids get involved, helping out by stamping tickets when they're around. The cinema's casual atmosphere extends to its concessions, which include popcorn and snacks.

The owner's experience in film distribution, creative production, and international screenings has been invaluable in running the theater, particularly in Japan where he faced unique challenges. Having opened the cinema in his 20s after years of working abroad, he was well-prepared for the demands of running a business in a foreign country.

Despite the difficulties, the owner finds living in Japan exciting and rewarding, citing the diverse people he's met as one of its highlights. The challenges he faced at Netflix have also stood him in good stead, having learned valuable lessons about resilience during his time there.