Venice 2026: Sabu's 'Arrested Memory' is Clever Action Comedy Fun

We need a bit more laughter in this world! And why not have some fun with some action comedy. Sabu (a Japanese filmmaker named Hiroyuki Tanaka) is an experienced director who has been making comedy and action films for decades – starting in the 1990s through the 2000s. His latest creation is an action comedy called Arrested Memory, filmed in Taiwan, which is premiering at the 2026 Venice Film Festival before playing at the Toronto Film Festival in their prestigious Midnight Madness section. While far from being an instant favorite or festival knock out, Sabu's Arrested Memory is still tons of fun. A delightfully wacky, extra goofy Taiwan action comedy about a cop with amnesia trying to solve a kidnapping case who gets mixed up in all kinds of other shenanigans. It's enjoyable to see him set this story in Taiwan this time around, though the location doesn't make much of a difference. Luckily it's also 87 minutes long, so just as it's about to wear out its welcome, it nicely wraps up and our funny forgetful officer finally gets to go home and get some rest. Both written and directed by Sabu, Arrested Memory stars Ethan Juan as Captain Lee – a superstar police detective in Taipei. After an intensely traumatic drug sting gone wrong, he wakes up to […]