Born December 7th, 1979, Ayako Fujitani grew up in Osaka, Japan, loving movies at a young age. Whether horror, science-fiction, or drama, it didn't matter so long as it delivered. Fast forward to her teens, following an opportunity to present renowned actor Hiroyuki Sanada with a bouquet at a local film festival, something stood out to director Shusuke Kaneko. Hence, he offered her an audition opportunity for a lead part in his film “Gamera: Guardian of the Universe.” Initially hesitant but curious, the youth went to the audition but walked away feeling unsatisfied with how they did. Then, she got the part. Following guidance during the movie's production and its preceding sequels, Ayako grew as an actor, pursued more challenging roles moving forward, and also became active as a writer. Since then, she frequently works internationally.
Ayako Fujitani is a terrific actress with a lot of range who can make her characters feel real.
Ayako Fujitani is a terrific actress with a lot of range who can make her characters feel real.
- 2/18/2024
- by Sean Barry
- AsianMoviePulse
Yesterday it was announced that manga artist Tatsuya Egawa (Golden Boy, Tokyo Daigaku Monogatari) has completed work on his second live-action film as a director and that it will be released this summer. Unlike his last film, 2006’s “Tokyo University Story”, this is not based on one of his manga, but an entirely original story.
Takuya Ishida (The Chasing World) and Sei Ashina (Nanase Futatabi: The Movie) star as two of 10 people gathered together in a room to play a mysterious game. In fact, they’ve each been brought there under a secret contract, and are not allowed to reveal any details about their true identities to each other. The film is said to highlight dark aspects of the human psyche, illustrating people’s potential for lust and violence when trapped somewhere and controlled.
Other cast members include Shunsuke Kubozuka, Ai Maeda, Keisuke Horibe, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Nana Natsume, Jai West,...
Takuya Ishida (The Chasing World) and Sei Ashina (Nanase Futatabi: The Movie) star as two of 10 people gathered together in a room to play a mysterious game. In fact, they’ve each been brought there under a secret contract, and are not allowed to reveal any details about their true identities to each other. The film is said to highlight dark aspects of the human psyche, illustrating people’s potential for lust and violence when trapped somewhere and controlled.
Other cast members include Shunsuke Kubozuka, Ai Maeda, Keisuke Horibe, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Nana Natsume, Jai West,...
- 6/11/2010
- Nippon Cinema
If all the Grudge sequels didn't wear out your affection for director Takashi Shimizu's work, then you might be pleased to hear the filmmaker's 3-D thriller The Shock Labyrinth should soon be reaching these shores. According to Variety, Fortissimo Films has just picked up the worldwide rights to the picture (excluding Japan), which is currently in post-production. Hit the jump for more info. Shock Labyrinth focuses on a band of teens who are startled by the return of a long-lost friend. It stars several Japanese actors familiar to genre fans, including Battle Royale's Ai Maeda and Ichi the Killer's Erina Mizuno. It's due for release overseas by the end of this year, though a U.S. release...
- 8/27/2009
- FEARnet
Seoul -- "The Shock Labyrinth," the latest film from "The Grudge" director Takashi Shimizu, is to be a 3D live-action movie represented in international markets by Fortissimo Films.
The story takes place in a theme park near Mount Fuji and follows a group of teens dealing with the shock return of a friend they had assumed to be dead.
Produced by Japan's Asmik Ace, the film also marks Shimizu's return to genre filmmaking after a hiatus of several years.
"The production represented a great challenge in creating a brand new way of expressing fear and telling a dramatic story via the medium of 3-D film. I hope as many of you as possible will find yourselves trapped in my labyrinth and enjoy the experience," he said.
The film is in postproduction, having begun principal photography in early July.
Produced by Ogura Jimusyo's Satoru Ogura, Asmik Ace's Masayuki Tanishima and Dai Miyazaki,...
The story takes place in a theme park near Mount Fuji and follows a group of teens dealing with the shock return of a friend they had assumed to be dead.
Produced by Japan's Asmik Ace, the film also marks Shimizu's return to genre filmmaking after a hiatus of several years.
"The production represented a great challenge in creating a brand new way of expressing fear and telling a dramatic story via the medium of 3-D film. I hope as many of you as possible will find yourselves trapped in my labyrinth and enjoy the experience," he said.
The film is in postproduction, having begun principal photography in early July.
Produced by Ogura Jimusyo's Satoru Ogura, Asmik Ace's Masayuki Tanishima and Dai Miyazaki,...
- 8/25/2009
- by By Patrick Frater
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It has been three years since Takashi Shimizu stood beside a film camera and worn his directorial hat—literally. Eschewing the black leather cap that was seemingly glued to his head throughout the production of the Japanese Ju-on and American Grudge movies that made his name, Shimizu is not only sporting new headwear for his newest feature, but is also shooting with a new, custom 3-D digital system, the first for such a production in Japan.
Journeying down to the city of Tateyama, Fango paid a visit to the set of The Shock Labyrinth 3D last week to catch up with director Shimizu’s return to feature filmmaking. Within the peeling walls of a local hospital, Shimizu and his crew are hard at work on one of the final days of shooting. Seated behind a large LCD monitor, the filmmaker reaches over to a spare set of 3-D glasses and hands them to this writer.
Journeying down to the city of Tateyama, Fango paid a visit to the set of The Shock Labyrinth 3D last week to catch up with director Shimizu’s return to feature filmmaking. Within the peeling walls of a local hospital, Shimizu and his crew are hard at work on one of the final days of shooting. Seated behind a large LCD monitor, the filmmaker reaches over to a spare set of 3-D glasses and hands them to this writer.
- 7/1/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (Norman England)
- Fangoria
I wasn't exactly sure about this upcoming 3d flick from Takashi Shimizu backed by Asmik Ace which stars Yuya Yagira, Misako Renbutsu, Ryo Katsuji, Ai Maeda, Erina Mizuno, and Suzuki Matsuo. Why? Well it didn't sound like much original, but after seeing these technocolor stills, I'm sold. Shock Labyrinth is being shot (mostly) on location at the inspiration for the film, the worlds largest haunted house (according to Guiness) at the Fuji-q High Land amusement park near the base of Mt. Fuji,
The film follows a group of teenagers dealing with the sudden return of a friend who went missing a decade ago. When the friend falls ill, they take her to a hospital but end up trapped in a labyrinthine haunted house.
Stills after the break. via Horror Movies and Stuff
Head to Quiet Earth to see the stills.
The film follows a group of teenagers dealing with the sudden return of a friend who went missing a decade ago. When the friend falls ill, they take her to a hospital but end up trapped in a labyrinthine haunted house.
Stills after the break. via Horror Movies and Stuff
Head to Quiet Earth to see the stills.
- 6/17/2009
- QuietEarth.us
Wonder why Takashi Shimizu isn’t directing the tenth anniversary installments of his Ju-On franchise himself? The answer is simple enough: because he’s making Japan’s first 3-D horror film instead!
Horror Master Takashi Shimizu Commences The Production Of Japan’S First Live Action Digital 3D Feature In The World’S Longest Horror House Walk-through
Tokyo, June 3rd 2009
Japanese production and distribution company Asmik Ace Entertainement today announced the commencement of the principal photography of “The Shock Labyrinth,” a live action digital 3D film directed by Takashi Shimizu (“Juon,” “Juon 2,” “The Grudge,” “The Grudge 2”). The horror project is aiming at an October 2009 release in Japan. Asmik Ace handles both local and international distribution of the Ogura Jimusyho production. The project marks Japan’s first ever live action digital 3D feature film as well as Shimizu’s long-awaited return to the horror feature after 3 years. Produced by Ogura Jimusyo...
Horror Master Takashi Shimizu Commences The Production Of Japan’S First Live Action Digital 3D Feature In The World’S Longest Horror House Walk-through
Tokyo, June 3rd 2009
Japanese production and distribution company Asmik Ace Entertainement today announced the commencement of the principal photography of “The Shock Labyrinth,” a live action digital 3D film directed by Takashi Shimizu (“Juon,” “Juon 2,” “The Grudge,” “The Grudge 2”). The horror project is aiming at an October 2009 release in Japan. Asmik Ace handles both local and international distribution of the Ogura Jimusyho production. The project marks Japan’s first ever live action digital 3D feature film as well as Shimizu’s long-awaited return to the horror feature after 3 years. Produced by Ogura Jimusyo...
- 6/3/2009
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.