The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre's 13th annual Toronto Japanese Film Festival will be held from June 6th to 20th at the Jccc's Kobayashi Hall. The festival has now grown into one of the largest film events of its kind in the world and is recognized by the Japanese film industry as a vital conduit for bringing Japanese film to the world.
TorontoJFF is programmed to reflect the rich diversity of the world 4th largest film industry and the 2024 edition will feature 24 films including the International Premieres of Kosai Sekine's mystery drama Stay Mum「かくしごと 」starring Anne Watanabe and Eiji Okuda and Toshiyuki Teruya's heartwarming Okinawa-based comedy Kanasando「かなさんどー 」. The festival is also very proud to present the World Premiere of Alice Il Shin's Landscapes Of Home 「故郷の風景」 from producer Eiko Kawabe Brown. The film is an investigation of Japanese Canadian struggle from a new perspective redefining...
TorontoJFF is programmed to reflect the rich diversity of the world 4th largest film industry and the 2024 edition will feature 24 films including the International Premieres of Kosai Sekine's mystery drama Stay Mum「かくしごと 」starring Anne Watanabe and Eiji Okuda and Toshiyuki Teruya's heartwarming Okinawa-based comedy Kanasando「かなさんどー 」. The festival is also very proud to present the World Premiere of Alice Il Shin's Landscapes Of Home 「故郷の風景」 from producer Eiko Kawabe Brown. The film is an investigation of Japanese Canadian struggle from a new perspective redefining...
- 4/26/2024
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
Leaff 2023 brings a diverse programme from East and Southeast Asia, including international and UK premieres. This year, our programme will be showcased through these strands: Retrospective: Director Chung Ji-Young, Leaff’s Official Selection, Competition, Stories of Women, Halloween Horror Special, Cherish the World, Lgbtqia+ and Classics Restored. The festival will open and close at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square. Other screenings and Q&As will take place at Odeon Luxe West End and the Cinema at Selfridges.
For more information about tickets, please visit: https://www.leaff.org.uk/2023tickets
Here is the full programme:
Opening Gala
The Boys + Q&a with the Director | Dir. Chung Ji-Young | Korea | 2023 | 124 mins
Closing Gala
Concrete Utopia + Q&a with Director, Actor Park Bo-young | Dir. Um Tae-hwa | Korea | 2023 | 130 mins
Leaff Official Selection
The Breaking Ice | Dir. Anthony Chen | Singapore | 2022 | 97 mins
Dan Dan | Dir. Song Chuan | China | 2022 | 103 mins
Hidden Blade | Dir. Cheng Er | Hong Kong | 2022 | 128 mins
In Broad Daylight | Dir.
For more information about tickets, please visit: https://www.leaff.org.uk/2023tickets
Here is the full programme:
Opening Gala
The Boys + Q&a with the Director | Dir. Chung Ji-Young | Korea | 2023 | 124 mins
Closing Gala
Concrete Utopia + Q&a with Director, Actor Park Bo-young | Dir. Um Tae-hwa | Korea | 2023 | 130 mins
Leaff Official Selection
The Breaking Ice | Dir. Anthony Chen | Singapore | 2022 | 97 mins
Dan Dan | Dir. Song Chuan | China | 2022 | 103 mins
Hidden Blade | Dir. Cheng Er | Hong Kong | 2022 | 128 mins
In Broad Daylight | Dir.
- 10/15/2023
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Unexpected, filled with erotic tension and discovering the spiritual dimension of existence. The cinema of Chihiro Ito seems to belong to an alternate reality. The audiences of Five Flavours will have a chance to see two films of the artist whose cinema is a breath of fresh air in recent Japanese independent cinema. The director herself will be the Festival guest.
Chihiro Ito may not yet be a household name in the world of film, but the Japanese director has already proven she has a lot of talent and sensitivity. She may be just beginning her career as film director, but her artistic output has been recognized for years – she has been a successful writer, screenwriter, and playwirght. Before turning to the camera, she wrote a few novels and film scripts (including one for Isao Yukisada).
Both in literature and cinema, her main interest is the body. The strength of...
Chihiro Ito may not yet be a household name in the world of film, but the Japanese director has already proven she has a lot of talent and sensitivity. She may be just beginning her career as film director, but her artistic output has been recognized for years – she has been a successful writer, screenwriter, and playwirght. Before turning to the camera, she wrote a few novels and film scripts (including one for Isao Yukisada).
Both in literature and cinema, her main interest is the body. The strength of...
- 10/7/2023
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
The festival will open with ‘Because I Hate Korea’ and close with ‘The Movie Emperor’.
The Busan International Film Festival has revealed the full line-up for its 2023 edition and announced that Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat will receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award.
The festival in South Korea will open with the world premiere of Jang Kun-jae’s Because I Hate Korea and close with Ning Hao’s Chinese film industry satire The Movie Emperor, starring Andy Lau, following its debut at Toronto.
At an online press conference today, organisers also revealed that Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat...
The Busan International Film Festival has revealed the full line-up for its 2023 edition and announced that Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat will receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award.
The festival in South Korea will open with the world premiere of Jang Kun-jae’s Because I Hate Korea and close with Ning Hao’s Chinese film industry satire The Movie Emperor, starring Andy Lau, following its debut at Toronto.
At an online press conference today, organisers also revealed that Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat...
- 9/5/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Art House Films has taken distribution rights for France.
Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa, who won best director at Venice in 2020 with Wife Of A Spy, has wrapped shooting French thriller Serpent’s Path starring Ko Shibasaki and Damien Bonnard.
The film, now in post-production, is an adaptation of Kurosawa’s 1998 Japanese feature of the same name, in which a man enlists a friend to help him exact revenge upon his daughter’s murderer. The original was written by Hiroshi Takahashi, co-writer of iconic horror Ring, and starred Teruyuki Kagawa and Show Aikawa.
In the French-language remake, the main character is...
Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa, who won best director at Venice in 2020 with Wife Of A Spy, has wrapped shooting French thriller Serpent’s Path starring Ko Shibasaki and Damien Bonnard.
The film, now in post-production, is an adaptation of Kurosawa’s 1998 Japanese feature of the same name, in which a man enlists a friend to help him exact revenge upon his daughter’s murderer. The original was written by Hiroshi Takahashi, co-writer of iconic horror Ring, and starred Teruyuki Kagawa and Show Aikawa.
In the French-language remake, the main character is...
- 8/30/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Chihiro Ito has made a name for herself as a scriptwriter, with her collaborations with Isao Yukisada bringing us titles such as “Before the Vigil”,and “Crying Out Love in the Center of the World”. Recently, she has also taken up the directorial chair for herself, coming up with “Side by Side” and “In Her Room”, the latter of which we will be dealing with in the particular review. The film is based on a novel she wrote, and is produced by Isao Yukisada, while starring Satoru Iguchi, the keyboardist for J-pop sensation King Gnu, in his first starring role.
In Her Room is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
Susume is a dentist who has always had difficulty communicating with people. He works at a dental clinic, where he envies the other doctors who are socially adept while constantly worrying about what they think of him. One day,...
In Her Room is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
Susume is a dentist who has always had difficulty communicating with people. He works at a dental clinic, where he envies the other doctors who are socially adept while constantly worrying about what they think of him. One day,...
- 7/29/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
After directing a few short films over the course of a decade, Kwak Eun-mi makes her feature debut with “A Tour Guide”. A socially charged drama concerned with North Korean ex-pats, Kwak's film paints a desperate picture of defectors struggling to secure a prosperous life in a new country.
A Tour Guide is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
Han-young (Seol Lee) has just started as a tour guide working in South Korea. Fluent in Korean and Chinese, she guides tourists around famous landmarks, hoping to quickly impress and earn as much money as possible. However, as a North Korean defector, Han-young is constantly subject to scrutiny, whether it be from colleagues, her boss, or even the police. To make matters worse, her brother, who migrated with her, is nowhere to be found. Feeling alone in what is essentially a foreign land, Han-young struggles to make ends meet and provide for her ailing mother,...
A Tour Guide is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
Han-young (Seol Lee) has just started as a tour guide working in South Korea. Fluent in Korean and Chinese, she guides tourists around famous landmarks, hoping to quickly impress and earn as much money as possible. However, as a North Korean defector, Han-young is constantly subject to scrutiny, whether it be from colleagues, her boss, or even the police. To make matters worse, her brother, who migrated with her, is nowhere to be found. Feeling alone in what is essentially a foreign land, Han-young struggles to make ends meet and provide for her ailing mother,...
- 7/26/2023
- by Tom Wilmot
- AsianMoviePulse
Similar to other cultures, the Japanese one has its fair share of coming-of-age-stories, as they make up a majority of the books and movies coming out each year. However, with this high number, it is impossible to have some kind of oversight and thus discover those which truly stand out, especially since the themes, characters and aesthetics are very similar, with many Japanese productions also trying to mimic European arthouse-cinema as we have discussed here on Amp. In 2001, director Isao Yukisada successfully diverted from this formula with “Go”, which tells the story of a teenager trying to find his way in life, but also his identity within Japan and its trends towards conformity and obedience. The feature, which became Japan's entry for the Oscars the same year, may be a true (re-) discovery for many cinephiles and critics as its observations and treatment of the aforementioned topics is still quite...
- 4/6/2023
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The action adventure marks the latest from the director of Berlinale award-winners ‘Parade’ and ‘River’s Edge’.
Japan’s Isao Yukisada is adapting award-winning novel Revolver Lily as an action-adventure feature, which Toei Company is unveiling to buyers at the European Film Market.
Isao is best known internationally for titles including Go, A Day On The Planet, Parade and River’s Edge, all of which played in the Panorama strand of the Berlinale. Parade and River’s Edge both won the Fipresci prize at the festival in 2009 and 2018 respectively.
His latest takes place in 1924 and centres on Yuri, who killed 57 people...
Japan’s Isao Yukisada is adapting award-winning novel Revolver Lily as an action-adventure feature, which Toei Company is unveiling to buyers at the European Film Market.
Isao is best known internationally for titles including Go, A Day On The Planet, Parade and River’s Edge, all of which played in the Panorama strand of the Berlinale. Parade and River’s Edge both won the Fipresci prize at the festival in 2009 and 2018 respectively.
His latest takes place in 1924 and centres on Yuri, who killed 57 people...
- 2/16/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
On November 20, 1971, Nikkatsu launched its new Roman Porno line with the double bill of Hayashi Ishao’s “Castle Orgies” and Nishimura Shogoro’s “Apartment Wife: Afternoon Affair”. The following 17-year period saw a grand total of at least 850 titles (another catalogue mentions 1133) released under this new brand name. before the series came to a halt in 1988. The bulk of these, a total of around 710 films, were made in-house by Nikkatsu, with the rest produced under contract by a number of independent pink companies including Shishi Pro and Enk, which meant that one of the three films playing on the triple bills in the Nikkatsu-operated adult theaters would have been made outside of Nikkatsu
Check the review of the book Book Review: Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Cinema (2008) by Jasper Sharp
The films were (in)famously shot under three simple rules, ave a scene of...
Check the review of the book Book Review: Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Cinema (2008) by Jasper Sharp
The films were (in)famously shot under three simple rules, ave a scene of...
- 2/4/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Psychological thriller The Beasts, directed by Spain’s Rodrigo Sorogoyen, won three awards at this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival, including the Tokyo Grand Prix, best director and best actor for Denis Menochet.
The film, which premiered in an Out Of Competition slot at this year’s Cannes film festival, follows a French couple who move to Spain’s Galician countryside to run an organic farm, but receive a hostile welcome from the locals. The Tokyo Grand Prix comes with a cash award of Y3M.
Iranian filmmaker Houman Seyedi’s satirical drama World War III took the Special Jury Prize at the festival following its wins in Venice for best film and best actor in the Horizons section. Tokyo’s Special Jury Prize comes with a cash award of Y500,000.
Best actress went to Aline Kuppenheim for her role in Manuela Martelli’s 1976, in which she...
The film, which premiered in an Out Of Competition slot at this year’s Cannes film festival, follows a French couple who move to Spain’s Galician countryside to run an organic farm, but receive a hostile welcome from the locals. The Tokyo Grand Prix comes with a cash award of Y3M.
Iranian filmmaker Houman Seyedi’s satirical drama World War III took the Special Jury Prize at the festival following its wins in Venice for best film and best actor in the Horizons section. Tokyo’s Special Jury Prize comes with a cash award of Y500,000.
Best actress went to Aline Kuppenheim for her role in Manuela Martelli’s 1976, in which she...
- 11/3/2022
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Safe to say there isn’t another country bar Japan where a handful of top directors, including celebrated auteurs and an Oscar winner, learned their craft in adult films. Or perhaps even anywhere else in the world where that is imaginable.
But when cinemagoing plunged in parallel with the penetration of television sets into homes in the 1960s, it was so-called Pink Eiga that kept large parts of the movie industry afloat for decades, nurturing a generation of directors, scriptwriters and other filmmaking crew.
Usually between 60 and 70 minutes long, shot on 35mm and released in theaters, often on triple bills, the low-budget productions gave directors a lot of freedom provided they delivered the prescribed number of sex scenes.
In 1964, with the eyes of the world on Japan as it reemerged onto the world stage after World War Two as host of Tokyo Olympics,...
Safe to say there isn’t another country bar Japan where a handful of top directors, including celebrated auteurs and an Oscar winner, learned their craft in adult films. Or perhaps even anywhere else in the world where that is imaginable.
But when cinemagoing plunged in parallel with the penetration of television sets into homes in the 1960s, it was so-called Pink Eiga that kept large parts of the movie industry afloat for decades, nurturing a generation of directors, scriptwriters and other filmmaking crew.
Usually between 60 and 70 minutes long, shot on 35mm and released in theaters, often on triple bills, the low-budget productions gave directors a lot of freedom provided they delivered the prescribed number of sex scenes.
In 1964, with the eyes of the world on Japan as it reemerged onto the world stage after World War Two as host of Tokyo Olympics,...
- 10/28/2022
- by Gavin J Blair
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Takashi Miike's 1999 Japanese horror film "Audition" recently earned the title of the scariest foreign horror movie of all time. The film tells the story of a faux audition held to find a new bride for a widower, and stars Eihi Shiina as the mysterious potential wife. Speaking with Asian Movie Pulse (Amp), Shiina credits "Audition" as "an extremely" important role for me." Indeed it was — prior to, Shiina's sole film credit was Isao Yukisada's 1998 drama "Open House," but the role of the psychotic Asami earned her international recognition. Amp reveals that the former Benetton model's road to "Audition" was similar to Asami's, sans the torture. What she thought was a simple meeting and deep conversation turned out to be a tryout for the lead role, much to her surprise. She tells Amp:
"I heard that Miike wanted to see me, so I thought to myself that I want to meet him.
"I heard that Miike wanted to see me, so I thought to myself that I want to meet him.
- 9/22/2022
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
At this year’s Toronto Japanese Film Festival Isao Yukisada presents his newest film about a complexe love story. The film with the poetic title „The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese“ is based on the manga series of the same title, published between 2005 and 2006. Yukisada gave life to the characters invented by author and illustrator Setona Mizushiro. The latter collaborated in the writing of the screenplay.
“The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese” is screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival
In this a bit overlong drama, the protagonists are Kyouchi, Imagase and Natsuki. Kyouchi is a salary man. He escapes his boring life and monotone marriage by having an affair. His wife find out about it and hires a private detective to get proof and ask for a divorce. Imagase happens to be an old youth friend of Kyouchi. He takes the chance to confess to the latter that he always...
“The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese” is screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival
In this a bit overlong drama, the protagonists are Kyouchi, Imagase and Natsuki. Kyouchi is a salary man. He escapes his boring life and monotone marriage by having an affair. His wife find out about it and hires a private detective to get proof and ask for a divorce. Imagase happens to be an old youth friend of Kyouchi. He takes the chance to confess to the latter that he always...
- 6/27/2021
- by Teresa Vena
- AsianMoviePulse
Canada’S Largest Showcase Of Contemporary Japanese Cinema
Streams Across Canada
Saturday, June 5 – Sunday, June 27, 2021
Monday, May 10, 2021 – The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre’s 10th annual Toronto Japanese Film Festival (Tjff) will be presented across Canada from Saturday, June 5 to Sunday, 27, 2021. During this period, Tjff screenings will be held online, using the Cinesend festival platform, with select onsite screenings at the Jccc’s Kobayashi Hall planned for October, public health protocols permitting. The festival is one of the largest film events of its kind in the world and is recognized by the Japanese film industry as a vital conduit for bringing Japanese film to international audiences.
“When we held the first Toronto Japanese Film Festival, we never dreamed we’d be celebrating our 10th anniversary during a pandemic, said Tjff Director James Heron. “We also never dreamed the festival would be so well attended, loved by Toronto audiences and embraced by...
Streams Across Canada
Saturday, June 5 – Sunday, June 27, 2021
Monday, May 10, 2021 – The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre’s 10th annual Toronto Japanese Film Festival (Tjff) will be presented across Canada from Saturday, June 5 to Sunday, 27, 2021. During this period, Tjff screenings will be held online, using the Cinesend festival platform, with select onsite screenings at the Jccc’s Kobayashi Hall planned for October, public health protocols permitting. The festival is one of the largest film events of its kind in the world and is recognized by the Japanese film industry as a vital conduit for bringing Japanese film to international audiences.
“When we held the first Toronto Japanese Film Festival, we never dreamed we’d be celebrating our 10th anniversary during a pandemic, said Tjff Director James Heron. “We also never dreamed the festival would be so well attended, loved by Toronto audiences and embraced by...
- 5/19/2021
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre’s 10th annual Toronto Japanese Film Festival (Tjff) will be presented across Canada from Saturday, June 5 to Sunday, 27, 2021. During this period, Tjff screenings will be held online, using the Cinesend festival platform, with select onsite screenings at the Jccc’s Kobayashi Hall planned for October, public health protocols permitting. The festival is one of the largest film events of its kind in the world and is recognized by the Japanese film industry as a vital conduit for bringing Japanese film to international audiences.
“When we held the first Toronto Japanese Film Festival, we never dreamed we’d be celebrating our 10th anniversary during a pandemic, said Tjff Director James Heron. “We also never dreamed the festival would be so well attended, loved by Toronto audiences and embraced by Japanese directors and actors as the place to introduce their films to North American audiences. On this...
“When we held the first Toronto Japanese Film Festival, we never dreamed we’d be celebrating our 10th anniversary during a pandemic, said Tjff Director James Heron. “We also never dreamed the festival would be so well attended, loved by Toronto audiences and embraced by Japanese directors and actors as the place to introduce their films to North American audiences. On this...
- 5/13/2021
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
The film’s production company Bridgehead is handling sales to Europe, with Toho handling the rest of the world.
Japanese filmmaker Ryota Nakano’s The Asadas has been sold to France’s Art House Films, Nk Contents in South Korea and Cai Chang International in Taiwan.
The film, inspired by the life of celebrated photographer Masashi Asada, is handled internationally by its production company Bridgehead for European territories and by its distributor Toho for the rest of the world.
Starring Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters From Iwo Jima) and Satoshi Tsumabuki (The Assassin), the film was released theatrically in Japan on October...
Japanese filmmaker Ryota Nakano’s The Asadas has been sold to France’s Art House Films, Nk Contents in South Korea and Cai Chang International in Taiwan.
The film, inspired by the life of celebrated photographer Masashi Asada, is handled internationally by its production company Bridgehead for European territories and by its distributor Toho for the rest of the world.
Starring Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters From Iwo Jima) and Satoshi Tsumabuki (The Assassin), the film was released theatrically in Japan on October...
- 2/2/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Anime in particular is starting to go mainstream among Gen Z and Millennials as the number of global streaming buyers grows.
Japanese film and TV content, in particular anime, has been reaching new international audiences during the era of Covid-19 lockdowns and growing steaming consumption, according to several speakers at this week’s Tiffcom Online (November 4-6).
On the first day of the market, Crunchyroll general manager Joanne Waage said the WarnerMedia-owned anime streaming service has already achieved its projected year-end figures of 3 million subscribers and 70 million registered users.
“During Covid times, the streaming business has been resilient as people have been home more,...
Japanese film and TV content, in particular anime, has been reaching new international audiences during the era of Covid-19 lockdowns and growing steaming consumption, according to several speakers at this week’s Tiffcom Online (November 4-6).
On the first day of the market, Crunchyroll general manager Joanne Waage said the WarnerMedia-owned anime streaming service has already achieved its projected year-end figures of 3 million subscribers and 70 million registered users.
“During Covid times, the streaming business has been resilient as people have been home more,...
- 11/6/2020
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Filmmakers and streamers discussed the future of Japanese cinema at Tokyo International Film Festival.
Award-winning filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda has praised the opportunities offered by streaming giants such as Netflix on a panel at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
The Japanese director of Shoplifters, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2018, said streamers were offering more freedom to creatives.
“When I’m making films, I have to balance my creative desires with enough popular elements to be able to recoup, to be able to make the next film,” said Kore-eda. “It feels as if streaming services offer more chances at the moment.
Award-winning filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda has praised the opportunities offered by streaming giants such as Netflix on a panel at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
The Japanese director of Shoplifters, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2018, said streamers were offering more freedom to creatives.
“When I’m making films, I have to balance my creative desires with enough popular elements to be able to recoup, to be able to make the next film,” said Kore-eda. “It feels as if streaming services offer more chances at the moment.
- 11/5/2020
- by Matt Schley
- ScreenDaily
More than half of the programme of this year’s cancelled Hkiff is screening at K11 Art House in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong International Film Festival (Hkiff) usually takes place over the Easter holidays in March-April, but this year was first postponed to late August, then eventually cancelled, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
While many festivals in Asia have managed to take place with physical screenings, albeit without international guests, Hkiff fell victim to unfortunate timing. A third wave of Covid-19 emerged in the city in July, just weeks before the festival was scheduled to take place, forcing Hong Kong...
Hong Kong International Film Festival (Hkiff) usually takes place over the Easter holidays in March-April, but this year was first postponed to late August, then eventually cancelled, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
While many festivals in Asia have managed to take place with physical screenings, albeit without international guests, Hkiff fell victim to unfortunate timing. A third wave of Covid-19 emerged in the city in July, just weeks before the festival was scheduled to take place, forcing Hong Kong...
- 11/2/2020
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
To most cinephiles, the name Yoshihiro Hanno is still often associated with film music. Apart from composing the score for his own movies, such as “Ugly” and “A Woman Wavering in the Rain” Hanno has created the music for Jia Zhangke’s “Mountains May Depart” and Isao Yukisada’s “Five Minutes to Tomorrow”, to name just a few examples. In his new directorial effort “Paradise Next”, he tells the story of three people feeling lost because of guilt, regret and a sense of spiritual loneliness, utilizing the conventions of the road movie for them to explore these issues as well as their connections to each other. The result has quite a few aesthetic merits, but fails to convince with its uneven, at times indecisive storyline.
“Paradise Next” is screening at Japan-Filmfest Hamburg
For a year now Shima (Etsushi Toyokawa) has sought refuge with a crew of gangsters in Taiwan after...
“Paradise Next” is screening at Japan-Filmfest Hamburg
For a year now Shima (Etsushi Toyokawa) has sought refuge with a crew of gangsters in Taiwan after...
- 8/26/2020
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Isao Yukisada’s new romantic drama “Theater” will drop worldwide on Amazon Prime Video and open theatrically in Japan on July 17. This sort of day-and-date double release is a rarity in Japan and a first for Amazon Prime Video in the country.
Based on the second book by Naoki Matayoshi, a comedian whose first novel “Hibana” was adapted as a Netflix series, the film stars Kento Yamazaki as an aspiring young playwright and director in the theater world and Mayu Matsuoka as a fashion student who loves him. With its original opening postponed due to the coronavirus, the film is now being released directly by its production company, Yoshimoto Kogyo, after initial distributors Shochiku and Aniplex passed the baton.
In a statement Yukisada explained that the film would open on 20 screens on Japan’s ‘mini theater’ or arthouse circuit. “A simultaneous theatrical release and streaming fulfils my hopes,” Yukisada said.
Based on the second book by Naoki Matayoshi, a comedian whose first novel “Hibana” was adapted as a Netflix series, the film stars Kento Yamazaki as an aspiring young playwright and director in the theater world and Mayu Matsuoka as a fashion student who loves him. With its original opening postponed due to the coronavirus, the film is now being released directly by its production company, Yoshimoto Kogyo, after initial distributors Shochiku and Aniplex passed the baton.
In a statement Yukisada explained that the film would open on 20 screens on Japan’s ‘mini theater’ or arthouse circuit. “A simultaneous theatrical release and streaming fulfils my hopes,” Yukisada said.
- 6/25/2020
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Film will open in Japanese cinemas and stream globally on Amazon Prime Video from July 17.
Isao Yukisada’s Theater will be released simultaneously in Japanese cinemas and on the Amazon Prime Video streaming platform on July 17, marking the first time that Amazon has released a film day-and-date with theatres in Japan.
Amazon is making the film available in 200 countries and territories worldwide. Starring Kento Yamazaki and Mayu Matsuoka, the film is a live-action adaptation of comedian Naoki Matayoshi’s second novel Gekijo. Matayoshi won the Akutagawa Prize in 2015 for his first novel Hibana, which was adapted into a series by Netflix.
Isao Yukisada’s Theater will be released simultaneously in Japanese cinemas and on the Amazon Prime Video streaming platform on July 17, marking the first time that Amazon has released a film day-and-date with theatres in Japan.
Amazon is making the film available in 200 countries and territories worldwide. Starring Kento Yamazaki and Mayu Matsuoka, the film is a live-action adaptation of comedian Naoki Matayoshi’s second novel Gekijo. Matayoshi won the Akutagawa Prize in 2015 for his first novel Hibana, which was adapted into a series by Netflix.
- 6/25/2020
- ScreenDaily
Amazon Prime Video has set Theater, the feature adaptation of Naoki Matayoshi’s second novel Gekijo, as its first day-and-date release in Japan.
The movie will launch on the service in 200 countries on July 17, and will also play in Japanese theaters, which have started to re-open following the coronavirus lockdown. The pic is expected to play in around 20 venues.
Starring Kento Yamazaki and Mayu Matsuoka, the movie follows a screenwriter who struggles to attract an audience to his theater company. One day, he sees a fashion student who dreams of becoming an actress, wearing the same sneakers as he does, and starts talking to her. A love between the two begins, as Saki supports Nagata in his dreams and becomes more and more involved in theater to fill the gap between ideal and reality.
Isao Yukisada (Go, Parade) directed the movie, Shunsuke Koga produced. Naohiko Sakamoto was executive producer.
“While...
The movie will launch on the service in 200 countries on July 17, and will also play in Japanese theaters, which have started to re-open following the coronavirus lockdown. The pic is expected to play in around 20 venues.
Starring Kento Yamazaki and Mayu Matsuoka, the movie follows a screenwriter who struggles to attract an audience to his theater company. One day, he sees a fashion student who dreams of becoming an actress, wearing the same sneakers as he does, and starts talking to her. A love between the two begins, as Saki supports Nagata in his dreams and becomes more and more involved in theater to fill the gap between ideal and reality.
Isao Yukisada (Go, Parade) directed the movie, Shunsuke Koga produced. Naohiko Sakamoto was executive producer.
“While...
- 6/25/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
The Japan Foundation Asia Center and Tokyo International Film Festival have uploaded the first of their omnibus film series, “Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections.” This film is in and of itself a compilation of three shorts; industry veterans Brillante Ma Mendoza, Isao Yukisada, and Sotho Kulikar illustrate three tales interrelating Japan to the Philippines, Malaysia, and Cambodia. While their plotlines are disconnected, their political arguments are not. Loosely tied to the theme “Living Together in Asia,” the three films wrest tongue-in-cheek responses to the inherently uneasy power dynamics between wealthy Japan and poorer parts of Southeast Asia. The collection peels back long-standing issues of poverty, servitude, and cross-cultural romance, bringing forth the lingering traces of Japanese (neo)imperialism.
The first and last shorts sing their songs of heartbreak and betrayal the most. The first, Brillante Ma Mendoza’s “Shiniuma Dead Horse,” follows the bleary-eyed amputee Marcial (Lou Veloso), an undocumented...
The first and last shorts sing their songs of heartbreak and betrayal the most. The first, Brillante Ma Mendoza’s “Shiniuma Dead Horse,” follows the bleary-eyed amputee Marcial (Lou Veloso), an undocumented...
- 5/31/2020
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Japanese prosecutors in the rape case against Hirofumi Arai have asked for a five-year prison sentence for the actor. They made the request was made at a public hearing Wednesday in the Tokyo District Court.
Arai has pleaded innocent to charges that he sexually assaulted a woman sent to his residence from a massage service on July 1, 2018.
In its statement to the court, the prosecution contended that the victim was in “extreme physical and emotional distress” and that Arai’s payment of money after the encounter indicated “his full recognition that the woman was opposed to his desire.”
In his testimony, Arai has denied that the woman resisted his advances or that he used threats or violence.
Japanese courts have very high conviction rates. The verdict will be announced Dec. 2.
Born Kyung-Sik Park in Hirosaki, in Japan’s Aomori Prefecture, in 1979, Arai is a third-generation ethnic Korean. After debuting in “Go,...
Arai has pleaded innocent to charges that he sexually assaulted a woman sent to his residence from a massage service on July 1, 2018.
In its statement to the court, the prosecution contended that the victim was in “extreme physical and emotional distress” and that Arai’s payment of money after the encounter indicated “his full recognition that the woman was opposed to his desire.”
In his testimony, Arai has denied that the woman resisted his advances or that he used threats or violence.
Japanese courts have very high conviction rates. The verdict will be announced Dec. 2.
Born Kyung-Sik Park in Hirosaki, in Japan’s Aomori Prefecture, in 1979, Arai is a third-generation ethnic Korean. After debuting in “Go,...
- 10/24/2019
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Celebrating it’s 45th anniversary, Nikkatsu productions release of “Aroused by Gynopedies”, sets out to recapture the iconic Roman Porno era made popular in the 70’s and 80’s.
“Aroused by Gymnopedies” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
Furuya is a director renown for making artistic films that have earned him international acclaim, but has left him with little money. It is during the shooting of his current film, that an actor pulls out after and altercation with another actor, where he subsequently finds himself unemployed and in debt.
Now broke, Furuya wanders around aimlessly, with feelings of being disenfranchised within his industry. This leads to him to meeting up with former student Yuka, whom he starts an affair with. Not the type to settle, Furuya soon becomes involved with other licit affairs with past acquaintances. As the film nears its closing, we learn that there is more to Furuya’s jaded nature.
“Aroused by Gymnopedies” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
Furuya is a director renown for making artistic films that have earned him international acclaim, but has left him with little money. It is during the shooting of his current film, that an actor pulls out after and altercation with another actor, where he subsequently finds himself unemployed and in debt.
Now broke, Furuya wanders around aimlessly, with feelings of being disenfranchised within his industry. This leads to him to meeting up with former student Yuka, whom he starts an affair with. Not the type to settle, Furuya soon becomes involved with other licit affairs with past acquaintances. As the film nears its closing, we learn that there is more to Furuya’s jaded nature.
- 6/28/2019
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
Documentaries about films are probably among the most difficult cinematic exercises a director has to pull. Edmund Yeo, however, took it a step further, by shooting a documentary about the short film “Pigeon”, by Isao Yukisada in order to pay tribute to another director, the late Yasmin Ahmad, whose pictures shaped Yukisada’s perspective on Malaysia.
“Yasmin-san” screened at the 8th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase
In that fashion, the documentary begins with interviews of the case and crew, where Yukisada admits that Ahmad’s spirit permeates the film, both in its aesthetics, but also in essence, since Sharifah Amani, Ahmad’s regular, is also cast in “Pigeon”. Through these interviews, we learn a lot about the film, but soon Ahmad takes over, particularly through Amani, who considers the director one of the most important individuals in her life, even calling her “my mother”.
As the documentary progresses,...
“Yasmin-san” screened at the 8th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase
In that fashion, the documentary begins with interviews of the case and crew, where Yukisada admits that Ahmad’s spirit permeates the film, both in its aesthetics, but also in essence, since Sharifah Amani, Ahmad’s regular, is also cast in “Pigeon”. Through these interviews, we learn a lot about the film, but soon Ahmad takes over, particularly through Amani, who considers the director one of the most important individuals in her life, even calling her “my mother”.
As the documentary progresses,...
- 4/1/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Something is rotten in a Japanese town by the river. “There’s a river in our town,” Haruna Wakakusa (Fumi Nikaidô) narrates toward the beginning of the film. “The water spreads out and stagnates. It smells bad.”
Read More: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2019
In “River’s Edge,” director Isao Yukisada paints an atmospheric picture of a Tokyo suburb ravaged by pollution, interspersing the film’s central drama with melancholic shots of factory exhaust and plumes of billowing smoke.
Continue reading Director Isao Yukisada’s ‘River’s Edge’ is a Mystery Worth Solving [Review] at The Playlist.
Read More: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2019
In “River’s Edge,” director Isao Yukisada paints an atmospheric picture of a Tokyo suburb ravaged by pollution, interspersing the film’s central drama with melancholic shots of factory exhaust and plumes of billowing smoke.
Continue reading Director Isao Yukisada’s ‘River’s Edge’ is a Mystery Worth Solving [Review] at The Playlist.
- 3/17/2019
- by Caroline Tsai
- The Playlist
“The first filmization of the forbidden erotic cartoon by Osamu Tezuka”
One of Osamu Tezuka’s most adult and sexually-charged works, Barbara (1973-74) was originally serialized as a follow-up to Ayako (1972-73) in Big Comic from July 1973 to May 1974. It was recently published in English, French, Spanish, Italian and German, garnering enthusiastic fans around the world, including hundreds who made history by crowdfunding a recent English re-release of the manga in a limited edition format.
Barbara is an adult-orientated fantasy tale filled with love and the occult from Osamu Tezuka’s reimagining of “The Tales of Hoffmann (French: Les contes d’Hoffmann)”. Its story deals with the erotic and bizarre experiences of a famous novelist called Yosuke Mikura whose life is tossed upside down by a mysterious girl named “Barbara”.
The controversial story, dealing with various taboos such as forbidden love, mystery, art, Eros, scandal and occultism, was said to...
One of Osamu Tezuka’s most adult and sexually-charged works, Barbara (1973-74) was originally serialized as a follow-up to Ayako (1972-73) in Big Comic from July 1973 to May 1974. It was recently published in English, French, Spanish, Italian and German, garnering enthusiastic fans around the world, including hundreds who made history by crowdfunding a recent English re-release of the manga in a limited edition format.
Barbara is an adult-orientated fantasy tale filled with love and the occult from Osamu Tezuka’s reimagining of “The Tales of Hoffmann (French: Les contes d’Hoffmann)”. Its story deals with the erotic and bizarre experiences of a famous novelist called Yosuke Mikura whose life is tossed upside down by a mysterious girl named “Barbara”.
The controversial story, dealing with various taboos such as forbidden love, mystery, art, Eros, scandal and occultism, was said to...
- 11/23/2018
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Isao Yukisada was born in Kumamoto in 1968. His first feature film, ‘Sunflower’ won the International Federation of Film Critics Award at the 5th Busan International Film Festival. He directed ‘Go’ in 2001, which won and nominated over 50 awards at home and abroad, including Best Director at the Japan Academy Awards. In 2010, ‘Parade’ won the International Federation of Film Critics Award at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival.
‘River’s Edge‘ is based on a legendary comic book by Kyoko Okazaki now turned into a movie with a hand of director Isao Yukisada, who has made many coming-of-age films which throw the feelings, troubles and growing pains of youth into sharp relief. With a brilliant young cast including Fumi Nikaido and Ryo Yoshizawa, a tribulation of hopeless desires and loneliness of teen life now reveals.
The interview was conducted during the 31st Tokyo International Film Festival. The author wants to express sincere...
‘River’s Edge‘ is based on a legendary comic book by Kyoko Okazaki now turned into a movie with a hand of director Isao Yukisada, who has made many coming-of-age films which throw the feelings, troubles and growing pains of youth into sharp relief. With a brilliant young cast including Fumi Nikaido and Ryo Yoshizawa, a tribulation of hopeless desires and loneliness of teen life now reveals.
The interview was conducted during the 31st Tokyo International Film Festival. The author wants to express sincere...
- 11/20/2018
- by Nikodem Karolak
- AsianMoviePulse
Films taking place in the 80’s and 90’s have been one of the recent trends of international cinema (“Stranger Things” has probably something to do with it), with the majority of them trying to benefit from the sense of nostalgia they emit. Isao Yukisada (one of the most talented contemporary Japanese directors in my opinion) makes his effort in the style, through a combination with teen, high school drama based on the homonymous manga by Kyoko Okazaki.
“River’s Edge” is screening at the Five Flavours Festival
The story takes place in the 90’s and revolves around a number of characters who attend the same high school. Haruna is a girl who appears detached from everything, despite the fact that she has a boyfriend, Kannonzaki, and is part of a gang of the three that also includes Rumi, a girl who has sex with mature men who shower her with expensive gifts,...
“River’s Edge” is screening at the Five Flavours Festival
The story takes place in the 90’s and revolves around a number of characters who attend the same high school. Haruna is a girl who appears detached from everything, despite the fact that she has a boyfriend, Kannonzaki, and is part of a gang of the three that also includes Rumi, a girl who has sex with mature men who shower her with expensive gifts,...
- 11/19/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Oahunov Nov 8-18, 2018
Kauainov Nov 15-18, 2018
Big Island & Maui Nov 29 -Dec 2, 2018
The 38th Hawaii International Film Festival is about to start and to continue the festival’s proud tradition of showcasing content and creatives from the Pacific, Asia and North America.
The festival this year features over 180 films, talks and events from 37 countries, with 47 Us, International and World Premieres across 32 sections. 2018 continues the tradition of programming a selection of critically-acclaimed and highly-anticipated films from Asia and around the world, while also giving a platform from emerging creative talents from across the Hawaii-Pacific region.
Outstanding films are accompanied by stars and filmmakers from around the world, connecting East and West through a dedication to discussion, diversity and creativity.
We have picked the Asian titles in the Programme and they are a lot!
Let’s have a look:
Shadow – Opening Night Film
China 2018 – Director: Zhang Yimou
50 First Kisses
Spotlight On Japan – Japan...
Kauainov Nov 15-18, 2018
Big Island & Maui Nov 29 -Dec 2, 2018
The 38th Hawaii International Film Festival is about to start and to continue the festival’s proud tradition of showcasing content and creatives from the Pacific, Asia and North America.
The festival this year features over 180 films, talks and events from 37 countries, with 47 Us, International and World Premieres across 32 sections. 2018 continues the tradition of programming a selection of critically-acclaimed and highly-anticipated films from Asia and around the world, while also giving a platform from emerging creative talents from across the Hawaii-Pacific region.
Outstanding films are accompanied by stars and filmmakers from around the world, connecting East and West through a dedication to discussion, diversity and creativity.
We have picked the Asian titles in the Programme and they are a lot!
Let’s have a look:
Shadow – Opening Night Film
China 2018 – Director: Zhang Yimou
50 First Kisses
Spotlight On Japan – Japan...
- 10/18/2018
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Total of 16 titles set for this year’s Competition line-up.
Tokyo International Film Festival has announced the 16 titles that will compete in its International Competition, including the world premieres of His Master’s Voice, from Hungary’s Gyorgy Palfi, Fruit Chan’s Three Husbands, Veit Helmer’s The Bra and Liu Hao’s The Poet.
Tiff’s competition line-up will also include the world premieres of two Japanese titles – Junji Sakamoto’s Another World and Rikiya Imaizumi’s Just Only Love (see full line-up below).
Leading Philippines filmmaker Brillante Ma Mendoza is heading this year’s Competition jury, which also comprises Us producer Bryan Burk,...
Tokyo International Film Festival has announced the 16 titles that will compete in its International Competition, including the world premieres of His Master’s Voice, from Hungary’s Gyorgy Palfi, Fruit Chan’s Three Husbands, Veit Helmer’s The Bra and Liu Hao’s The Poet.
Tiff’s competition line-up will also include the world premieres of two Japanese titles – Junji Sakamoto’s Another World and Rikiya Imaizumi’s Just Only Love (see full line-up below).
Leading Philippines filmmaker Brillante Ma Mendoza is heading this year’s Competition jury, which also comprises Us producer Bryan Burk,...
- 9/25/2018
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
The London East Asia Film Festival (Leaff), opens its third year on the 25th October at Vue Leicester Square with “Dark Figure of Crime”, the newest thriller by director Kim Tae-gyun, and runs until the 4th November. It will close with the intelligent and emotionally complex family drama, “Ramen Shop”, the latest feature film by acclaimed Singaporean director, Eric Khoo.
Having expanded to include the cinematic offerings of 13 countries – China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Myanmar – Leaff’s 2018 programme focuses on the “future”. Through the lens and unique perspectives of East Asian filmmakers, Leaff offers compelling insight into not only the future of those in East Asia but in London, with vital and thought – provoking dialogues being opened up around subjects such as youth, human interaction, development, cultural and social issues.
Leaff will screen 6 International premieres, 8 European premieres and 23 UK premieres,...
Having expanded to include the cinematic offerings of 13 countries – China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Myanmar – Leaff’s 2018 programme focuses on the “future”. Through the lens and unique perspectives of East Asian filmmakers, Leaff offers compelling insight into not only the future of those in East Asia but in London, with vital and thought – provoking dialogues being opened up around subjects such as youth, human interaction, development, cultural and social issues.
Leaff will screen 6 International premieres, 8 European premieres and 23 UK premieres,...
- 9/22/2018
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
New Asian Cinema is a survey of the most outstanding and widely debated new films from South and Southeast Asia, often directorial debuts. The filmmakers competing for the festival Grand Prix make bold comments about the surrounding reality and contemporary social issues.
They skillfully combine genre films with local narrations, at the same time forming their own, auteur styles and mapping out new cinematic directions. The titles selected for the New Asian Cinema section have unique form and content, expanding the boundaries of the cinematic language. They are deeply rooted in the local context, but they do not shy away from commenting on global social phenomena.
The winner is chosen by People’s Jury – a group cinema lovers and Asian cultures enthusiasts. The open call for the jury of the 12th edition of the Festival will last till October 12.
The full program will be announced in mid-October. We present now...
They skillfully combine genre films with local narrations, at the same time forming their own, auteur styles and mapping out new cinematic directions. The titles selected for the New Asian Cinema section have unique form and content, expanding the boundaries of the cinematic language. They are deeply rooted in the local context, but they do not shy away from commenting on global social phenomena.
The winner is chosen by People’s Jury – a group cinema lovers and Asian cultures enthusiasts. The open call for the jury of the 12th edition of the Festival will last till October 12.
The full program will be announced in mid-October. We present now...
- 9/20/2018
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Films taking place in the 80’s and 90’s have been one of the recent trends of international cinema (“Stranger Things” has probably something to do with it), with the majority of them trying to benefit from the sense of nostalgia they emit. Isao Yukisada (one of the most talented contemporary Japanese directors in my opinion) makes his effort in the style, through a combination with teen, high school drama based on the homonymous manga by Kyoko Okazaki.
River’s Edge is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
The story takes place in the 90’s and revolves around a number of characters who attend the same high school. Haruna is a girl who appears detached from everything, despite the fact that she has a boyfriend, Kannonzaki, and is part of a gang of the three that also includes Rumi, a girl who has sex with mature men who shower her with expensive gifts,...
River’s Edge is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
The story takes place in the 90’s and revolves around a number of characters who attend the same high school. Haruna is a girl who appears detached from everything, despite the fact that she has a boyfriend, Kannonzaki, and is part of a gang of the three that also includes Rumi, a girl who has sex with mature men who shower her with expensive gifts,...
- 7/5/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The Indonesian actor will star in all three episodes.
Indonesian actor Nicholas Saputra will star in the second edition of omnibus co-production project, Asian Three-Fold Mirror, spearheaded by Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) and Japan Foundation Asia Center.
Saputra will star in all three of the omnibus episodes, which are currently in production with directors including Japan’s Daichi Matsunaga, Indonesia’s Edwin and China’s Degena Yun. Produced by Japan’s Satoru Iseki (A Battle Of Wits), the completed film will receive its world premiere at this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (October 25-November 3).
Asian Three-Fold Mirror is...
Indonesian actor Nicholas Saputra will star in the second edition of omnibus co-production project, Asian Three-Fold Mirror, spearheaded by Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) and Japan Foundation Asia Center.
Saputra will star in all three of the omnibus episodes, which are currently in production with directors including Japan’s Daichi Matsunaga, Indonesia’s Edwin and China’s Degena Yun. Produced by Japan’s Satoru Iseki (A Battle Of Wits), the completed film will receive its world premiere at this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (October 25-November 3).
Asian Three-Fold Mirror is...
- 3/20/2018
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
For a cult teen manga about the angst of high-school kids in a Tokyo suburb, River’s Edge (Ribazu ejji) feels more like an original work of cinema than an adaptation.
The director, Berlin Panorama regular Isao Yukisada (Sunflower, Parade), brings a sinking feeling of dark realism to his band of well-etched characters, and there is little that happens in the live action film (well, maybe one thing) that is too outré to believe. Still, the story is strongly tinged with a homemade Japanese flavor that may prove too exotic for foreign viewers.
Laced with violence and graphic sex, the original...
The director, Berlin Panorama regular Isao Yukisada (Sunflower, Parade), brings a sinking feeling of dark realism to his band of well-etched characters, and there is little that happens in the live action film (well, maybe one thing) that is too outré to believe. Still, the story is strongly tinged with a homemade Japanese flavor that may prove too exotic for foreign viewers.
Laced with violence and graphic sex, the original...
- 2/16/2018
- by Deborah Young
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Yardie, Idris Elba's directorial debut; Human, Space, Time and Human, from Korean auteur Kim Ki-duk; and Shock Waves - Diary of My Mind from French-Swiss director Ursula Meier (Sister) are among the highlights of the Panorama selection for the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival.
Panorama unveiled its full lineup Thursday. It will feature 47 films from 40 countries, including 37 world premieres.
River's Edge, a Japanese comedy from director Isao Yukisada (Parade) will open the Panorama sidebar Feb. 15, with the Panorama Special kicking off Feb. 16 with the world premiere of refugee drama Styx from German director Wolfgang Fischer.
...
Panorama unveiled its full lineup Thursday. It will feature 47 films from 40 countries, including 37 world premieres.
River's Edge, a Japanese comedy from director Isao Yukisada (Parade) will open the Panorama sidebar Feb. 15, with the Panorama Special kicking off Feb. 16 with the world premiere of refugee drama Styx from German director Wolfgang Fischer.
...
- 1/25/2018
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Our bi-weekly Film Festival Roundup column explores notable stories and news updates from the circuit.
– Slamdance has announced the Special Screenings program for their 24th Festival edition. The lineup features provocative work from remarkable talent that celebrates the Diy spirit of Slamdance. In January, the festival will present four features in the Special Screenings Program: “Bernard and Huey,” directed by Dan Mirvish; “Roll with Me,” directed by Lisa France; “Quest,” directed by Santiago Rizzo; and the world premiere of “Pick of the Litter,” directed by Don Hardy and Slamdance alumni Dana Nachman. “Pick of the Litter” will screen as the festival’s Opening Night Film presentation.
“Slamdance was born out of a determination to show the direct, unfiltered voice of independent artists to audiences,” said Peter Baxter, Slamdance Co-Founder and President, in an official statement. “Our line-up, and the massive support shown from our alumni and partners, embody who we...
– Slamdance has announced the Special Screenings program for their 24th Festival edition. The lineup features provocative work from remarkable talent that celebrates the Diy spirit of Slamdance. In January, the festival will present four features in the Special Screenings Program: “Bernard and Huey,” directed by Dan Mirvish; “Roll with Me,” directed by Lisa France; “Quest,” directed by Santiago Rizzo; and the world premiere of “Pick of the Litter,” directed by Don Hardy and Slamdance alumni Dana Nachman. “Pick of the Litter” will screen as the festival’s Opening Night Film presentation.
“Slamdance was born out of a determination to show the direct, unfiltered voice of independent artists to audiences,” said Peter Baxter, Slamdance Co-Founder and President, in an official statement. “Our line-up, and the massive support shown from our alumni and partners, embody who we...
- 12/21/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Daughter of MineThe titles for the 68th Berlin International Film Festival are being announced in anticipation of the event running February 15 - 25, 2018. We will update the program as new films are revealed.COMPETITIONDon't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (Gus Van Sant)Dovlatov (Alexey German, Jr.)Eva (Benoît Jacquot)Daughter of Mine (Laura Bispuri)In the Aisles (Thomas Stuber)Mein Bruder heißt Robert und ist ein Idiot (Philip Gröning)Mug (Małgorzata Szumowska)Berlinale Special GALAThe Bookshop (Isabel Coixet)The Silent Revolution (Lars Kraume)Panoramal'Animale (Katharina Mückstein, Austria)Bixa Travesty (Tranny Fag) (Claudia Priscilla & Kiko Goifman, Brazil)Ex Pajé (Ex Shaman) (Luiz Bolognesi, Brazil)Malambo, el hombre bueno (Malambo, the Good Man) (Santiago Loza, Argentina)Obscuro Barroco (Evangelia Kranioti, France/Greece)La omisión (The Omission) (Sebastián Schjaer, Argentina/The Netherlands/Switzerland)Profile (Timur Bekmambetov, USA/UK/Cyprus)River's Edge (Isao Yukisada, Japan)That Summer (Göran Hugo Olsson, Sweden/Denmark/USA)Yocho (Foreboding) (Kiyoshi Kurosawa,...
- 12/21/2017
- MUBI
A high-school drama teaches fights his attraction to a student before they finally give into their raging passion — and before he goes back to his mentally ill wife — in what passes for timeless, swoon-worthy romance in Narratage, the latest by soft-focus king Isao Yukisada. Mawkish, inappropriate, and entirely misguided on practically every level, Narratage is the kind of handsome, slickly produced romantic trifle that’s supposed to inspire sweet, forbidden love fantasies in its predominantly female viewership. In reality it’s simply retrograde, fan-fiction level hokum that allows some icky messaging to slip past the radar. There’s no denying Yukisada...
- 10/19/2017
- by Elizabeth Kerr
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
If the first half of 2016 seemed ripe with cinemtic gems from across Asia, the second half of the year proved even more bountiful. South Korea continued its incredible run of exceptional releases, while even China had a few surprises tucked up its sleeves. Even Hong Kong unveiled a few genre highlights to distract from its dwindling numbers, while even less-established areas like Singapore delivered gems to stand proudly alongside the region's heavyweights. While there were plenty of duds, I would like to offer special mentions to some of the other notable releases from 2016, including Hirokazu Kore-eda's After the Storm, Chan Chi Fat's Weeds on Fire, Adam Tsuei's The Tenants Downstairs, Michael Dudok de Wit's Ghibli-produced The Red Turtle, Isao Yukisada's Aroused by Gymnopedies, Ryota...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/3/2017
- Screen Anarchy
Omnibus project Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections forms part of Japan’s drive to build links with Southeast Asia.
Produced by Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) and the Japan Foundation, Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections is an omnibus film with segments directed by the Philippines’ Brillante Mendoza, Japan’s Isao Yukisada and Cambodia’s Sotho Kulikar.
The film, which premiered at Tiff last week, involves characters living in Asia who have some kind of connection to another country within the region. Mendoza’s segment, Shiniuma: Dead Horse, filmed in both Japan and the Philippines, stars veteran actor Lou Veloso as an illegal immigrant in Japan who is deported back to the Philippines and forced to make a new life.
Filmed in Penang, Malaysia, Yukisada’s film, Pigeon, revolves around the bond between a Malaysian careworker (Sharifah Amani) and an elderly Japanese man suffering from dementia (Masahiko Tsugawa). Kulikar’s segment, Beyond The Bridge...
Produced by Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) and the Japan Foundation, Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections is an omnibus film with segments directed by the Philippines’ Brillante Mendoza, Japan’s Isao Yukisada and Cambodia’s Sotho Kulikar.
The film, which premiered at Tiff last week, involves characters living in Asia who have some kind of connection to another country within the region. Mendoza’s segment, Shiniuma: Dead Horse, filmed in both Japan and the Philippines, stars veteran actor Lou Veloso as an illegal immigrant in Japan who is deported back to the Philippines and forced to make a new life.
Filmed in Penang, Malaysia, Yukisada’s film, Pigeon, revolves around the bond between a Malaysian careworker (Sharifah Amani) and an elderly Japanese man suffering from dementia (Masahiko Tsugawa). Kulikar’s segment, Beyond The Bridge...
- 10/31/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Omnibus project Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections forms part of Japan’s drive to build links with Southeast Asia.
Produced by Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) and the Japan Foundation, Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections is an omnibus film with segments directed by the Philippines’ Brillante Mendoza, Japan’s Isao Yukisada and Cambodia’s Sotho Kulikar.
The film, which premiered at Tiff last week, involves characters living in Asia who have some kind of connection to another country within the region. Mendoza’s segment, Shiniuma: Dead Horse, filmed in both Japan and the Philippines, stars veteran actor Lou Veloso as an illegal immigrant in Japan who is deported back to the Philippines and forced to make a new life.
Filmed in Penang, Malaysia, Yukisada’s film, Pigeon, revolves around the bond between a Malaysian careworker (Sharifah Amani) and an elderly Japanese man suffering from dementia (Masahiko Tsugawa). Kulikar’s segment, Beyond The Bridge...
Produced by Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) and the Japan Foundation, Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections is an omnibus film with segments directed by the Philippines’ Brillante Mendoza, Japan’s Isao Yukisada and Cambodia’s Sotho Kulikar.
The film, which premiered at Tiff last week, involves characters living in Asia who have some kind of connection to another country within the region. Mendoza’s segment, Shiniuma: Dead Horse, filmed in both Japan and the Philippines, stars veteran actor Lou Veloso as an illegal immigrant in Japan who is deported back to the Philippines and forced to make a new life.
Filmed in Penang, Malaysia, Yukisada’s film, Pigeon, revolves around the bond between a Malaysian careworker (Sharifah Amani) and an elderly Japanese man suffering from dementia (Masahiko Tsugawa). Kulikar’s segment, Beyond The Bridge...
- 10/31/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
45 years after Nikkatsu switched its focus from making yakuza movies to focusing on softcore erotica, the celebrated Japanese studio returns to the titillating genre with its Roman Porno Reboot project, and has attracted some pretty heavyweight talent along for the ride. Directors Sion Sono (Why Don't You Play in Hell?, Love Exposure), Hideo Nakata (Ring, Dark Water), Akihiko Shiota (Moonlight Whispers), Kazuya Shiraishi (Love Paradise in Tokyo) and Isao Yukisada (Crying out Love in the Center of the World) were each recruited to make a 70-80 minute film, shot in one week, which will start screening theatrically from late November, as well as on satellite platform SkyPerfecTV! The features, entitled Battle, Society, Art, Lesbian and Romance each revisit the roman porno genre...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 9/15/2016
- Screen Anarchy
Exclusive: Akihiko Shiota’s latest has gone to South Korea and Taiwan.
Nikkatsu Corporation has sold Akihiko Shiota’s latest film Wet Woman In The Wind, which is set to receive its world premiere in Locarno’s International Competition today Friday (August 5), to South Korea (Orange Yellow Heim) and Taiwan (Movie Cloud).
This is the first Roman Porno film from Nikkatsu in the festival’s main competition since the Japanese company started the softcore porn label in 1971. It also marks the return of Japanese director Shiota to Locarno after his first feature Moonlight Whispers (not a Nikkatsu Roman Porno) was competing for the Golden Leopard in 1999.
The new picture is about a former playwright from the city who seeks to lead a quiet life in the mountain but is caught up in a spiral of desire with a promiscuous young woman. The main cast includes Yuki Mamiya and Tasuku Nagaoka.
Wet [link=tt...
Nikkatsu Corporation has sold Akihiko Shiota’s latest film Wet Woman In The Wind, which is set to receive its world premiere in Locarno’s International Competition today Friday (August 5), to South Korea (Orange Yellow Heim) and Taiwan (Movie Cloud).
This is the first Roman Porno film from Nikkatsu in the festival’s main competition since the Japanese company started the softcore porn label in 1971. It also marks the return of Japanese director Shiota to Locarno after his first feature Moonlight Whispers (not a Nikkatsu Roman Porno) was competing for the Golden Leopard in 1999.
The new picture is about a former playwright from the city who seeks to lead a quiet life in the mountain but is caught up in a spiral of desire with a promiscuous young woman. The main cast includes Yuki Mamiya and Tasuku Nagaoka.
Wet [link=tt...
- 8/5/2016
- ScreenDaily
More that 1,100 of similar soft-core productions were released in theaters during the 70’s and 80’s by Nikkatsu, which helped to launch the careers of filmmakers like Masayuki Suo (Shall we Dance?, The Terminal Trust), Takashi Ishii (Gonin), Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Pulse, Tokyo Sonata, Journey to the Shore), Yojiro Takita (Departures), Koji Wakamatsu (Endless Waltz, United Red Army, Caterpillar) and many more.
The main reason so many directors chose the particular genre was due to the complete artistic freedom given to the them after they have met four criteria:
The film must have a required minimum quota of sex scenes (supposedly a sex scene every five minutes, although this rule was never strictly met) The film must be approximately one hour in duration. It must be filmed on 16 mm or 35 mm film within one week. The film must be made on a very limited budget (about $35,000)
The films were commecially successes and...
The main reason so many directors chose the particular genre was due to the complete artistic freedom given to the them after they have met four criteria:
The film must have a required minimum quota of sex scenes (supposedly a sex scene every five minutes, although this rule was never strictly met) The film must be approximately one hour in duration. It must be filmed on 16 mm or 35 mm film within one week. The film must be made on a very limited budget (about $35,000)
The films were commecially successes and...
- 3/29/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The Japan Foundation and the Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) announced the main cast for the omnibus film.
Launched in 2014 the Asian Three – Fold Mirror project aims to deepen interactions between neighboring countries within Asia, as well as enriching cultural understanding and providing chance for people to consider their identity and way of life as individuals in Asia.
Lou Veloso – Masahiko Tsugawa – Masatoshi Nagase Sharifah Amani – Masaya Kayo – Chumvan Sodhachivy
The three Asian directors selected, Brillante Mendoza (Philippines), Isao Yukisa (Japan) and Sotho Kulikar (Cambodia) have selected their main cast to appear in their chapters. The acclaimed Filipino actor Lou Veloso will be starting in Mendoza’s episode. Two famous Japanese actors, Masahiko Tsugawa & Masatoshi Nagase along with the Malaysian actress Sharifah Amani will be starring in Yukisada’s chapter. Finally Japanese actor Masayo Kato and Cambodian actress Chumvan Sodhachivy will be appearing in the episode by Kulikar. The protagonist...
Launched in 2014 the Asian Three – Fold Mirror project aims to deepen interactions between neighboring countries within Asia, as well as enriching cultural understanding and providing chance for people to consider their identity and way of life as individuals in Asia.
Lou Veloso – Masahiko Tsugawa – Masatoshi Nagase Sharifah Amani – Masaya Kayo – Chumvan Sodhachivy
The three Asian directors selected, Brillante Mendoza (Philippines), Isao Yukisa (Japan) and Sotho Kulikar (Cambodia) have selected their main cast to appear in their chapters. The acclaimed Filipino actor Lou Veloso will be starting in Mendoza’s episode. Two famous Japanese actors, Masahiko Tsugawa & Masatoshi Nagase along with the Malaysian actress Sharifah Amani will be starring in Yukisada’s chapter. Finally Japanese actor Masayo Kato and Cambodian actress Chumvan Sodhachivy will be appearing in the episode by Kulikar. The protagonist...
- 3/16/2016
- by Sebastian Nadilo
- AsianMoviePulse
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