The store-owner's American wife knew no Japanese, and had to read her lines phonetically off cue cards posted above her head. She proved to be absolutely hopeless at anything resembling proper pronunciation or competent acting. Director Takashi Miike found the result interesting and displayed the cards for a simultaneously eerie and comedic effect.
Shot on a low budget, Gozu was originally planned for release on DVD but its positive reception at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2003 secured a theatrical release overseas.