Following Kazuya Shiraishi's excellent biopic “Dare to Stop Us”, which revolved around Koji Wakamatsu and his production company but essentially focused on Megumi Yoshizumi, a young aspiring director that joined the company in 1969, the sequel presents a somewhat similar story.
Hijacked Youth – Dare To Stop Us 2 is screening at Nippon Connection
This time, the setting is Nagoya in 1983, when Wakamatsu decided to open his own independent micro cinema, Cinema Skhole, and had Junji Kimata, a former programmer who was selling video equipment at the time, run it. The first part focuses on the relationship of the two and the struggles they faced in order to sustain the theater, which eventually led them to feature pinku films for the most part. The second and biggest part of the movie, though, focuses on the actual life of Junichi Inoue at the time, who dropped out of film school in order to become assistant director to Wakamatsu.
Hijacked Youth – Dare To Stop Us 2 is screening at Nippon Connection
This time, the setting is Nagoya in 1983, when Wakamatsu decided to open his own independent micro cinema, Cinema Skhole, and had Junji Kimata, a former programmer who was selling video equipment at the time, run it. The first part focuses on the relationship of the two and the struggles they faced in order to sustain the theater, which eventually led them to feature pinku films for the most part. The second and biggest part of the movie, though, focuses on the actual life of Junichi Inoue at the time, who dropped out of film school in order to become assistant director to Wakamatsu.
- 6/2/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Animation studio Mappa has partnered with K2 Pictures, a newly launched film company, to produce films for the global market. This was announced on the official website of K2 Pictures.
In addition to Mappa, K2 Pictures is also partnering with renowned filmmakers, including Shunji Iwai, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Kazuya Shiraishi, Miwa Nishikawa, and Takashi Miike.
This partnership signals a significant shift for Mappa, which is the only animation studio on the list of partners. the studio has expressed its eagerness to contribute to the filmmaking process as a partner.
“We have joined this project with the desire to support K2 Pictures’ challenge. We want to contribute as much as we can as a partner in movie production while considering what an animation studio can offer.“
K2 Pictures was established by Japanese producer Muneyuki Kii, a former Head Producer at Toei, with the goal of creating a new ecosystem for Japanese films.
In addition to Mappa, K2 Pictures is also partnering with renowned filmmakers, including Shunji Iwai, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Kazuya Shiraishi, Miwa Nishikawa, and Takashi Miike.
This partnership signals a significant shift for Mappa, which is the only animation studio on the list of partners. the studio has expressed its eagerness to contribute to the filmmaking process as a partner.
“We have joined this project with the desire to support K2 Pictures’ challenge. We want to contribute as much as we can as a partner in movie production while considering what an animation studio can offer.“
K2 Pictures was established by Japanese producer Muneyuki Kii, a former Head Producer at Toei, with the goal of creating a new ecosystem for Japanese films.
- 5/13/2024
- by Ami Nazru
- AnimeHunch
Veteran Japanese film producer Muneyuki Kii has assembled a bold new venture to shake up Japan’s traditionally sclerotic and risk-averse approach to movie financing. The executive, formerly a lead producer at Tokyo-based studio Toei, revealed the launch Thursday of K2 Pictures, a mini-studio that aims to bring a more direct, Hollywood-style model of film funding to Japan’s industry.
The new company will launch a content fund — dubbed the “K2P Film Fund I” — to finance both live-action and animated Japanese features. K2P also has lined up an impressive roster of Japanese directors to collaborate with on its first slate, including Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda (Shoplifters), local industry mainstay Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer, 13 Assassins), Shunji Iwai (Love Letter), Miwa Nishikawa (Sway), Kazuya Shiraishi (The Devil’s Path) and leading anime studio Mappa, known for mega-hits like Jujutsu Kaisen 0 and Attack on Titan.
Kii...
The new company will launch a content fund — dubbed the “K2P Film Fund I” — to finance both live-action and animated Japanese features. K2P also has lined up an impressive roster of Japanese directors to collaborate with on its first slate, including Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda (Shoplifters), local industry mainstay Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer, 13 Assassins), Shunji Iwai (Love Letter), Miwa Nishikawa (Sway), Kazuya Shiraishi (The Devil’s Path) and leading anime studio Mappa, known for mega-hits like Jujutsu Kaisen 0 and Attack on Titan.
Kii...
- 5/10/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Animation studio Mappa will begin a partnership with K2 Pictures , a newly-launched film company based in Tokyo, to produce films for the global market, following an announcement on the company's official website . K2 Pictures was established by Japanese producer Muneyuki Kii , a former head producer at Toei. The company's official website describes its purpose as follows: The company aims to create a new funding ecosystem for Japanese films to enrich local productions by returning profits traditionally accruing to film companies to both investors and creators, and it will also produce projects with emerging and established creators. Additionally, as part of the initiative, K2 Pictures is launching a new content fund – K2P Film Fund I – which will provide support for Japanese features across both animation and live-action and will enable investors, creators and crew members to profit from the Japanese film industry. The Fund is aiming to collaborate with from investors in Japan,...
- 5/10/2024
- by Mikikazu Komatsu
- Crunchyroll
K2 Pictures, a Japanese production company launched by former Toei producer Muneyuki Kii, is to introduce a new film fund at Cannes and a slate that includes upcoming projects from Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda, acclaimed genre director Takashi Miike and top animation studio Mappa.
The K2P Film Fund I aims to support live-action and animated Japanese features, collaborating with local and international investors from the US, Asia and beyond. Profits from productions will be funnelled back to investors, creators and crew.
Announcing the fund, K2 Pictures revealed it will collaborate with leading Japanese directors and creators on...
The K2P Film Fund I aims to support live-action and animated Japanese features, collaborating with local and international investors from the US, Asia and beyond. Profits from productions will be funnelled back to investors, creators and crew.
Announcing the fund, K2 Pictures revealed it will collaborate with leading Japanese directors and creators on...
- 5/9/2024
- ScreenDaily
Former Toei producer Muneyuki Kim has launched K2 Pictures, which will work with major directors such as Hirokazu Kore-eda and aim to create a new funding ecosystem for Japanese animated and live-action features.
The plan is to return profits that would traditionally go to film companies to investors and creators, which its founder says closely follows approaches used in Hollywood and elsewhere. Creators who team with K2 will be able to participate on projects as shareholders.
Kii, who will be K2’s CEO, says most Japanese films are produced through a system of ‘production committees’ with industry know-how formed through film companies, TV networks and publishers, which it believes makes entry into the market difficult and limits returns to producers and creators.
To this end, company has launched the K2P Film Fund I, which will provide support for animated and live-action features and enable to “investors, creators and crew...
The plan is to return profits that would traditionally go to film companies to investors and creators, which its founder says closely follows approaches used in Hollywood and elsewhere. Creators who team with K2 will be able to participate on projects as shareholders.
Kii, who will be K2’s CEO, says most Japanese films are produced through a system of ‘production committees’ with industry know-how formed through film companies, TV networks and publishers, which it believes makes entry into the market difficult and limits returns to producers and creators.
To this end, company has launched the K2P Film Fund I, which will provide support for animated and live-action features and enable to “investors, creators and crew...
- 5/9/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
At the Far East Film Festival (Feff) in Udine, Italy, Mitsuhiro Mihara’s Takano Tofu clinched the Golden Mulberry prize, the top honor at the festival’s audience awards.
Family drama Takano Tofu follows a father and daughter as they run a tofu shop in a small town, and stars Tatsuya Fuji and Kumiko Aso. The title also won the Purple Mulberry Award, chosen by users of Italian film fan platform MYmovies.
Feff hosted a parallel online component through the MYmovies One platform, where Takano Tofu came in as the second most-streamed film after Korean film Alienoid.
Taking second prize at the audience awards was another Japanese film, Confetti, directed by Naoya Futjita. The coming-of-age film follows Yuki (played by Matsufuji Shion), who takes on female roles for his father’s traveling theater troupe. Hong Kong film Time Still Turns the Pages by Nick Cheuk came in third.
The White...
Family drama Takano Tofu follows a father and daughter as they run a tofu shop in a small town, and stars Tatsuya Fuji and Kumiko Aso. The title also won the Purple Mulberry Award, chosen by users of Italian film fan platform MYmovies.
Feff hosted a parallel online component through the MYmovies One platform, where Takano Tofu came in as the second most-streamed film after Korean film Alienoid.
Taking second prize at the audience awards was another Japanese film, Confetti, directed by Naoya Futjita. The coming-of-age film follows Yuki (played by Matsufuji Shion), who takes on female roles for his father’s traveling theater troupe. Hong Kong film Time Still Turns the Pages by Nick Cheuk came in third.
The White...
- 5/3/2024
- by Sara Merican
- Deadline Film + TV
Udine Far East Film Festival is an all-embracing gaze over the Far East which – since 1999 – has been engaging with, transcending, and never ceasing to delve deeper into questions of diversity, distance and every possible interpretation of the word “inspiring”. Some numbers: 75 films (48 in competition and 27 not in competition) from 12 countries. More precisely, 12 world premieres, 22 international premieres, 23 European premieres and 19 Italian premieres. And as far as the number of accredited visitors goes, there's been an increase of 24% over 2023. There have also been more than 250 requests from cinema students at universities around the world, which shows just how active the younger “Fareasters” are.
The 26th edition of this prestigious and beloved Festival came to an end on Thursday night with the Awards Ceremony in its historic headquarters of the Teatro Nuovo theatre. Here all the winners:
Audience Awards
1st place: Takano Tofu, Mitsuhiro Mihara, Japan 2023
2nd place: Confetti, Naoya Fujita, Japan 2024
3rd...
The 26th edition of this prestigious and beloved Festival came to an end on Thursday night with the Awards Ceremony in its historic headquarters of the Teatro Nuovo theatre. Here all the winners:
Audience Awards
1st place: Takano Tofu, Mitsuhiro Mihara, Japan 2023
2nd place: Confetti, Naoya Fujita, Japan 2024
3rd...
- 5/3/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
On a big night for Japan, Mitsuhiro Mihara’s Takano Tofu took home the top prize at the 26th Far East Film Festival (Feff), which concluded on Thursday night in the northern Italian city of Udine. The family drama, which stars Tatsuya Fuji and Kumiko Aso as a father and daughter who run a tofu store in a small town, won Feff’s coveted Golden Mulberry Audience Award. Takano Tofu also won the Purple Mulberry Award, which is selected by users of MYmovies, Italy’s leading film fan platform.
It was a one-two for Japan in the main audience awards, as Naoya Fujita’s youthful drama Confetti came second place. In third was the Hong Kong film Time Still Turns the Pages, a devastating drama from Nick Cheuk who scored best director wins at the Asian Film Awards and Hong Kong Film Awards for the same film.
Feff’s Black Dragon...
It was a one-two for Japan in the main audience awards, as Naoya Fujita’s youthful drama Confetti came second place. In third was the Hong Kong film Time Still Turns the Pages, a devastating drama from Nick Cheuk who scored best director wins at the Asian Film Awards and Hong Kong Film Awards for the same film.
Feff’s Black Dragon...
- 5/3/2024
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Zhang Yimou is set to receive the Golden Mulberry Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Far East Film Festival (Feff).
The auteur, a key figure in China’s Fifth Generation of filmmakers, is best known for his films Raise the Red Lantern, Red Sorghum, To Live, Hero and House of the Flying Daggers, and was also directed the memorable opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Also receiving the coveted Golden Mulberry at the 26th edition of Feff is Taiwanese producer Chiu Fu-sheng. Chiu, a legendary figure in the Asian film industry, is known for his collaborations with auteur filmmakers including Hou Hsiao-hsien, producing A City of Sadness (1989) and The Puppetmaster (1993) and Zhang, producing both Raise the Red Lantern and To Live (1994). Zhang’s 2023 film Under the Light will also compete in the main competition at Feff.
Feff, the respected Italian festival that takes place in the northern city of Udine,...
The auteur, a key figure in China’s Fifth Generation of filmmakers, is best known for his films Raise the Red Lantern, Red Sorghum, To Live, Hero and House of the Flying Daggers, and was also directed the memorable opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Also receiving the coveted Golden Mulberry at the 26th edition of Feff is Taiwanese producer Chiu Fu-sheng. Chiu, a legendary figure in the Asian film industry, is known for his collaborations with auteur filmmakers including Hou Hsiao-hsien, producing A City of Sadness (1989) and The Puppetmaster (1993) and Zhang, producing both Raise the Red Lantern and To Live (1994). Zhang’s 2023 film Under the Light will also compete in the main competition at Feff.
Feff, the respected Italian festival that takes place in the northern city of Udine,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Skip City International D-Cinema Festival 2024 will celebrate its 21st edition from July 13th (Sat) to 21st (Sun), 2024 for 9 days at Skip City, which is an integrated institution for digital cinema production.
(See: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/)
Submission period: January 31st, 2024 (Wed) – March 1st, 2024 (Fri)
Skip City International D-Cinema Festival remains committed to discovering and nurturing new talent, with the aim of helping these filmmakers seize new business opportunities that have arisen in the changing landscape of the film industry. Now calling for works (60 min. or longer) that have been shot digitally and must be the director's 1st, 2nd, or 3rd feature film from all over the world for the International Competition section.
Call for entries for the International Competition!!
Entry Deadline: Must be received by March 1st, 2024 (Fri)
Submit via FilmFreeway
https://filmfreeway.com/Skipcityinternationald-CinemaFESTIVAL (Online registration / Free)
All nominated films in competition categories are eligible for the Festival Organizers awards.
(See: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/)
Submission period: January 31st, 2024 (Wed) – March 1st, 2024 (Fri)
Skip City International D-Cinema Festival remains committed to discovering and nurturing new talent, with the aim of helping these filmmakers seize new business opportunities that have arisen in the changing landscape of the film industry. Now calling for works (60 min. or longer) that have been shot digitally and must be the director's 1st, 2nd, or 3rd feature film from all over the world for the International Competition section.
Call for entries for the International Competition!!
Entry Deadline: Must be received by March 1st, 2024 (Fri)
Submit via FilmFreeway
https://filmfreeway.com/Skipcityinternationald-CinemaFESTIVAL (Online registration / Free)
All nominated films in competition categories are eligible for the Festival Organizers awards.
- 2/2/2024
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Opening its doors on Wednesday for its first in-person event since 2019, the Tiffcom content market in Tokyo is celebrating its 20th-anniversary edition in a new venue and with an even more international flavor to its exhibitors.
“In terms of the exhibition area, it is now almost 50-50, compared to 60 percent domestic and 40 percent overseas in 2019,” says Yasushi Shiina, Tiffcom CEO. “The number of visitors from abroad will also increase to more than 280 invitees and more than 1,000 if other overseas visitors are included.”
Running for three days until Oct. 27 across four floors of the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho, the market is showcasing film, television and IP from Japan, Asia and across the globe.
Recently renovated, the new venue was the “perfect choice,” given its proximity to the main festival venues and accessibility from major airports and bullet train stations, says Shiina.
Among the more than 320 booths are sizable contingents in pavilions from Cambodia,...
“In terms of the exhibition area, it is now almost 50-50, compared to 60 percent domestic and 40 percent overseas in 2019,” says Yasushi Shiina, Tiffcom CEO. “The number of visitors from abroad will also increase to more than 280 invitees and more than 1,000 if other overseas visitors are included.”
Running for three days until Oct. 27 across four floors of the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho, the market is showcasing film, television and IP from Japan, Asia and across the globe.
Recently renovated, the new venue was the “perfect choice,” given its proximity to the main festival venues and accessibility from major airports and bullet train stations, says Shiina.
Among the more than 320 booths are sizable contingents in pavilions from Cambodia,...
- 10/25/2023
- by Gavin J Blair
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The financing and development platform at Tiffcom will take place in person for the first time.
The Tokyo Gap-Financing Market (Tgfm) has revealed the 15 projects selected for financing and development at Tiffcom, the content market of Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF).
The 4th edition of Tgfm will take place in-person for the first time from October 25-27, having launched during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 when all industry activity took place online.
Scroll down for full list of titles
Projects include The Fox King by Malaysia’s Woo Ming Jin, whose revenge thriller Stone Turtle premiered in competition at Locarno in...
The Tokyo Gap-Financing Market (Tgfm) has revealed the 15 projects selected for financing and development at Tiffcom, the content market of Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF).
The 4th edition of Tgfm will take place in-person for the first time from October 25-27, having launched during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 when all industry activity took place online.
Scroll down for full list of titles
Projects include The Fox King by Malaysia’s Woo Ming Jin, whose revenge thriller Stone Turtle premiered in competition at Locarno in...
- 9/20/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Skip City International D-Cinema Festival which started in 2004 in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, has been held every year as a “gateway for emerging talent” centered on the International Competition and the Japanese Film Competition (features and shorts). The festival launched the careers of Kazuya Shiraishi (Lesson in Murder), Ryota Nakano (The Asadas), Shinichiro Ueda (One Cut of the Dead), Shinzo Katayama (Missing) and many other directors who are leading the Japanese film industry as top runners and whose new movies audiences are looking forward to seeing.
The 20th edition will be held both at theaters and online as a hybrid festival again.
On Wednesday, June 14th, a press conference was held to announce the full line-up consisting of the titles of the whole line-up. This year, the festival will begin with the world premiere of Confetti, which was produced to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the festival as well as...
The 20th edition will be held both at theaters and online as a hybrid festival again.
On Wednesday, June 14th, a press conference was held to announce the full line-up consisting of the titles of the whole line-up. This year, the festival will begin with the world premiere of Confetti, which was produced to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the festival as well as...
- 6/15/2023
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
We are happy to announce that the Skip City International D-Cinema Festival 2023 will celebrate its 20th anniversary edition from July 15th (Sat) to 23th (Sun), 2023 for 9 days at Skip City, which is an integrated institution for digital cinema production
(See: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/)
Submission period: January 25th, 2023 (Wed) – March 1st, 2023 (Wed)
We remain committed to discovering and nurturing new talent, with the aim of helping these filmmakers seize new business opportunities that have arisen in the changing landscape of the film industry. Now we call for works (60 min. or longer) that have been shot digitally and must be the director’s 1st, 2nd, or 3rd feature film from all over the world for the International Competition section.
Call for entries for the International Competition!!
Entry Deadline: Must be received by March 1st, 2023 (Wed)
Submit via FilmFreeway
https://filmfreeway.com/Skipcityinternationald-CinemaFESTIVAL (Online registration / Free)
Our International Competition welcomes you!
(See: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/)
Submission period: January 25th, 2023 (Wed) – March 1st, 2023 (Wed)
We remain committed to discovering and nurturing new talent, with the aim of helping these filmmakers seize new business opportunities that have arisen in the changing landscape of the film industry. Now we call for works (60 min. or longer) that have been shot digitally and must be the director’s 1st, 2nd, or 3rd feature film from all over the world for the International Competition section.
Call for entries for the International Competition!!
Entry Deadline: Must be received by March 1st, 2023 (Wed)
Submit via FilmFreeway
https://filmfreeway.com/Skipcityinternationald-CinemaFESTIVAL (Online registration / Free)
Our International Competition welcomes you!
- 1/25/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Quite a weird year for Japanese cinema, since there was no definite masterpiece this year, in the fashion of “Shoplifters” for example, while short and mid-length movies seem to have been rising intently in quality, a tendency that actually extended to a number of Asian countries, including Korea. At the same time, the “issues” of Japanese cinema, particularly the lack of mid-budget films and the “Koreeda style” of filmmaking that usually results in invitations to (big) festivals continue to happen, and along with the #MeToo movement hitting the industry quite hard, resulted in a year for local productions that is by no means great. At the same time, however, the size of the industry in terms of number of productions still gave way to a number of titles to stand out, 20 of which are to be found here. This time, the main criteria, besides the always present diversity, is films...
- 12/23/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
In terms of crime movies, the biggest name of the last decade in Japan is no other than Kazuya Shiraishi, with films like “The Devil’s Path”, and the “Wolves” duology highlighting the fact in the most eloquent fashion. As such, it is always a pleasure to watch another title of his in the category, even more so, since this time, it seems to have included elements from “The Silence of the Lambs” and particularly the concept of “When you dance with the devil, the devil doesn’t change. The devil changes you.”
“Lesson in Murder“ is screening at San Diego Asian Film Festival
Based on a novel by Riu Kushiki, the story revolves around the timid college student Masaya Kakei, who receives an invitation from a convicted serial killer, Yamato Haimura, whose bakery he used to frequent as a child. Through a series of flashbacks, we watch Haimura’s torturous killings,...
“Lesson in Murder“ is screening at San Diego Asian Film Festival
Based on a novel by Riu Kushiki, the story revolves around the timid college student Masaya Kakei, who receives an invitation from a convicted serial killer, Yamato Haimura, whose bakery he used to frequent as a child. Through a series of flashbacks, we watch Haimura’s torturous killings,...
- 11/9/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
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
In terms of crime movies, the biggest name of the last decade in Japan is no other than Kazuya Shiraishi, with films like “The Devil’s Path”, and the “Wolves” duology highlighting the fact in the most eloquent fashion. As such, it is always a pleasure to watch another title of his in the category, even more so, since this time, it seems to have included elements from “The Silence of the Lambs” and particularly the concept of “When you dance with the devil, the devil doesn’t change. The devil changes you.”
Lesson in Murder is screening on New York Asian Film Festival
Based on a novel by Riu Kushiki, the story revolves around the timid college student Masaya Kakei, who receives an invitation from a convicted serial killer, Yamato Haimura, whose bakery he used to frequent as a child. Through a series of flashbacks, we watch Haimura’s torturous killings,...
Lesson in Murder is screening on New York Asian Film Festival
Based on a novel by Riu Kushiki, the story revolves around the timid college student Masaya Kakei, who receives an invitation from a convicted serial killer, Yamato Haimura, whose bakery he used to frequent as a child. Through a series of flashbacks, we watch Haimura’s torturous killings,...
- 7/20/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The 20th edition of the festival will return as a full in-person event in July.
The New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) has unveiled the full line-up for its 20th edition, which will include honorary awards for Japanese horror director Takashi Shimizu, acclaimed Japanese actor Hiroshi Abe and South Korean rising star Kim Hye-yoon.
This year will mark Nyaff’s fully-fledged return to the big screen, following a virtual 2020 edition and a hybrid event in 2021. More than 60 new and classic titles from Asia, including six world premieres, will be presented as in-person screenings at Film at Lincoln Center (Flc) and the Asia Society,...
The New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) has unveiled the full line-up for its 20th edition, which will include honorary awards for Japanese horror director Takashi Shimizu, acclaimed Japanese actor Hiroshi Abe and South Korean rising star Kim Hye-yoon.
This year will mark Nyaff’s fully-fledged return to the big screen, following a virtual 2020 edition and a hybrid event in 2021. More than 60 new and classic titles from Asia, including six world premieres, will be presented as in-person screenings at Film at Lincoln Center (Flc) and the Asia Society,...
- 6/30/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Popular Japanese comedian and America’s Got Talent contestant Yuriyan Retriever is to lead Netflix Japan series The Queen of Villains.
Retriever will play the lead role of Dump Matsumoto, a professional wrestler who led the women’s boom in the sport with her cult-like popularity and took Japan by storm in the 1980s, a time when wrestling was even more male dominated than it is now. While trying to succeed as a heroic pro wrestler, she was nearly fired before becoming the most famous Japanese female wrestler of all time, and the series depicts her friendships and fights with companions.
Popular comic Retriever famously appeared as a dancer in 2019’s America’s Got Talent.
The Queen of Villains was unveiled on a Netflix Japan slate late last year along with several scripted shows and the likes of Love Is Blind: Japan. It will air in 2023.
Junya Ikegami is writer, Kazuya Shiraishi...
Retriever will play the lead role of Dump Matsumoto, a professional wrestler who led the women’s boom in the sport with her cult-like popularity and took Japan by storm in the 1980s, a time when wrestling was even more male dominated than it is now. While trying to succeed as a heroic pro wrestler, she was nearly fired before becoming the most famous Japanese female wrestler of all time, and the series depicts her friendships and fights with companions.
Popular comic Retriever famously appeared as a dancer in 2019’s America’s Got Talent.
The Queen of Villains was unveiled on a Netflix Japan slate late last year along with several scripted shows and the likes of Love Is Blind: Japan. It will air in 2023.
Junya Ikegami is writer, Kazuya Shiraishi...
- 6/29/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
For the first time in two years, the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) will have a full return to big-screen viewing as they celebrate their 20th Anniversary!
Following a fully virtual 2020 edition and a hybrid 2021 edition, Nyaff is delighted to present this year’s 60+ new and classic titles fully in person at Film at Lincoln Center and the Asia Society, from July 15 to July 31. Mark your calendars now to celebrate this major cinematic anniversary in July!
We’ll be announcing more titles and exciting guests in coming weeks, but here are some initial highlights to look out for:
Thailand Fast & Feel Love © 2022 Gdh 559 Co.,Ltd.
The 20th Anniversary edition of Nyaff will kick off with the international premiere of the propulsively-paced Thai romantic comedy Fast & Feel Love, directed by Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit and starring Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund, who will be honored on stage with the Screen International Rising Star Award.
Following a fully virtual 2020 edition and a hybrid 2021 edition, Nyaff is delighted to present this year’s 60+ new and classic titles fully in person at Film at Lincoln Center and the Asia Society, from July 15 to July 31. Mark your calendars now to celebrate this major cinematic anniversary in July!
We’ll be announcing more titles and exciting guests in coming weeks, but here are some initial highlights to look out for:
Thailand Fast & Feel Love © 2022 Gdh 559 Co.,Ltd.
The 20th Anniversary edition of Nyaff will kick off with the international premiere of the propulsively-paced Thai romantic comedy Fast & Feel Love, directed by Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit and starring Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund, who will be honored on stage with the Screen International Rising Star Award.
- 6/17/2022
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Skip City International D-Cinema Festival which started in 2004 in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, has been held every year as a “gateway for emerging talent” centered on the International Competition and the Japanese Film Competition (features and shorts). The festival launched the careers of Kazuya Shiraishi (Lesson in Murder), Ryota Nakano (The Asadas), Shinichiro Ueda (One Cut of the Dead), Shinzo Katayama (Missing) and many other directors who are leading the Japanese film industry as top runners and whose new movies audiences are looking forward to seeing.
The 19th edition will be held both at theaters and online from Saturday, July 16th in Skip City, Kawaguchi City in Saitama, with the physical screenings for the first time in three years since 2019.
On Wednesday, June 15th, a press conference was held to announce the full line-up, with the attendance of President of the Jury for International Competition, Shinobu Terajima (Actress) and President...
The 19th edition will be held both at theaters and online from Saturday, July 16th in Skip City, Kawaguchi City in Saitama, with the physical screenings for the first time in three years since 2019.
On Wednesday, June 15th, a press conference was held to announce the full line-up, with the attendance of President of the Jury for International Competition, Shinobu Terajima (Actress) and President...
- 6/16/2022
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
The line-up includes Korean thriller ‘Confession’ and Hong Kong comedy ‘Table For Six’.
The New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) has unveiled the first films for its 20th edition, including Yoon Jong-seok’s Korean mystery thriller Confession, Sunny Chan’s Hong Kong comedy Table For Six, Arvin Chen’s Taiwanese romantic drama Mama Boy and Kazuya Shiraishi’s Japanese serial-killer thriller Lesson In Murder, all of which are North American premieres.
This year will mark Nyaff’s full return to the big screen, following a virtual 2020 edition and a hybrid 2021 edition. More than 60 new and classic titles from Asia will...
The New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) has unveiled the first films for its 20th edition, including Yoon Jong-seok’s Korean mystery thriller Confession, Sunny Chan’s Hong Kong comedy Table For Six, Arvin Chen’s Taiwanese romantic drama Mama Boy and Kazuya Shiraishi’s Japanese serial-killer thriller Lesson In Murder, all of which are North American premieres.
This year will mark Nyaff’s full return to the big screen, following a virtual 2020 edition and a hybrid 2021 edition. More than 60 new and classic titles from Asia will...
- 6/16/2022
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Festival opens with Teppe Isobe’s ’Deadly School’.
Eight local features wiill have their world premiere at Japan’s Skip City International D-Cinema Festival, which is running as a hybrid event from July 16.
The festival opens with the world premiere of Teppe Isobe’s coming of age drama Deadly School, which is adapted from the play by Kaoru Asakusa about high school girls working hard for their school festival. Teppe Isobe has won prizes at Skip City for three of his films Who Knows about My Life (2018), F is for Future (2019) and Cornflakes (2020).
Held in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, Skip City focuses on emerging talent,...
Eight local features wiill have their world premiere at Japan’s Skip City International D-Cinema Festival, which is running as a hybrid event from July 16.
The festival opens with the world premiere of Teppe Isobe’s coming of age drama Deadly School, which is adapted from the play by Kaoru Asakusa about high school girls working hard for their school festival. Teppe Isobe has won prizes at Skip City for three of his films Who Knows about My Life (2018), F is for Future (2019) and Cornflakes (2020).
Held in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, Skip City focuses on emerging talent,...
- 6/15/2022
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Masaya Kakei (Kenshi Okada) is a university student who is dissatisfied with his life and gloomy about his future. He had failed to be accepted into his university of choice. One day, out of the blue, he receives a letter from convicted serial killer Yamato Haimura (Sadao Abe) who is on death row. Yamato once ran a bakery at Masaya’s hometown where the latter, then a middle school student, was a frequent customer. According to the letter, Yamato admits to his actions but insists he did not commit the last murder. Masaya begins to investigate and uncovers the devastating truth.
Directed by Kazuya Shiraishi (The Blood of Wolves and its sequel Last of the Wolves) with a screenplay by Ryo Takada, this psychological suspense thriller is adapted from the 2017 novel “Shikei ni Itaru Yamai” by Riu Kushiki. The film was released in Japan on May 6, 2022.
Directed by Kazuya Shiraishi (The Blood of Wolves and its sequel Last of the Wolves) with a screenplay by Ryo Takada, this psychological suspense thriller is adapted from the 2017 novel “Shikei ni Itaru Yamai” by Riu Kushiki. The film was released in Japan on May 6, 2022.
- 5/13/2022
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
The main asset of the Japanese movie industry has always been a stability, particularly in terms of production quality, which, even in the years where countries like S. Korea held the sceptres of the ‘Best Asian Cinema’, did not “allow” local titles to be very far off. In that regard, it is easy to say that, even if Japanese filmmakers do not come up with masterpieces so often (at least not as often as in the past), the local industry remains the one that produces more “7/10” movies than any other in the world, consistently. This stability became much more obvious this year, since Korean cinema seems to have hit a reef that is more evident that it was before, and gradually, Japanese cinema seems to have reached the top of Asia once more, even if the level was a bit lower this year. The films that follow prove the fact in the most eloquent way.
- 12/19/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Kazuya Shiraishi’s films are always entertaining and well shot, but I feel that he only reaches his full potential when he is dealing with the Yakuza. “Last of the Wolves”, the sequel to 2018 “Blood of the Wolves”, is a testament to this fact.
“Last of the Wolves” is screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
Three years after the events of the previous film, Hioka is not a rookie anymore, and has actually implemented his mentor’s (Shogo Ogami) plan about keeping the peace between Odani-gumi and the Irako-kai to the fullest, making a lot of money in the process. The bad blood with Saga, one of the higher ups who knew exactly what happened with Ogami, still exists however, and when Hioka is transferred to the police precinct he is in charge of, the pressure begins to pile up, despite the fact that his new partner, veteran Takayuki...
“Last of the Wolves” is screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
Three years after the events of the previous film, Hioka is not a rookie anymore, and has actually implemented his mentor’s (Shogo Ogami) plan about keeping the peace between Odani-gumi and the Irako-kai to the fullest, making a lot of money in the process. The bad blood with Saga, one of the higher ups who knew exactly what happened with Ogami, still exists however, and when Hioka is transferred to the police precinct he is in charge of, the pressure begins to pile up, despite the fact that his new partner, veteran Takayuki...
- 11/24/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Skip City International D-Cinema Festival which started in 2004 in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, has been held every year as a “gateway for emerging talent” centered on the International Competition and the Japanese Film Competition (features and shorts). The festival launched the careers of Kazuya Shiraishi (Last of the Wolves), Ryota Nakano (The Asadas), Shinichiro Ueda (One Cut of the Dead), Shinzo Katayama (Siblings of the Cape) and many other directors who are leading the Japanese film industry as top runners and whose new movies audiences are looking forward to seeing.
The 18th edition will be held virtually on the streaming platform “Cinema Discoveries” for 9 days from Saturday, September 25th to Sunday, October 3rd, in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection and ensure the safety of audience and related visitors.
From left to right: Director Tsutomu Tsuchikawa, Programming Director Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Yumiko Kimura
On Wednesday, September 1st, we...
The 18th edition will be held virtually on the streaming platform “Cinema Discoveries” for 9 days from Saturday, September 25th to Sunday, October 3rd, in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection and ensure the safety of audience and related visitors.
From left to right: Director Tsutomu Tsuchikawa, Programming Director Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Yumiko Kimura
On Wednesday, September 1st, we...
- 9/5/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Kazuya Shiraishi’s films are always entertaining and well shot, but I feel that he only reaches his full potential when he is dealing with the Yakuza. “Last of the Wolves”, the sequel to 2018 “Blood of the Wolves”, is a testament to this fact.
“Last of the Wolves” is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
Three years after the events of the previous film, Hioka is not a rookie anymore, and has actually implemented his mentor’s (Shogo Ogami) plan about keeping the peace between Odani-gumi and the Irako-kai to the fullest, making a lot of money in the process. The bad blood with Saga, one of the higher ups who knew exactly what happened with Ogami, still exists however, and when Hioka is transferred to the police precinct he is in charge of, the pressure begins to pile up, despite the fact that his new partner, veteran Takayuki...
“Last of the Wolves” is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
Three years after the events of the previous film, Hioka is not a rookie anymore, and has actually implemented his mentor’s (Shogo Ogami) plan about keeping the peace between Odani-gumi and the Irako-kai to the fullest, making a lot of money in the process. The bad blood with Saga, one of the higher ups who knew exactly what happened with Ogami, still exists however, and when Hioka is transferred to the police precinct he is in charge of, the pressure begins to pile up, despite the fact that his new partner, veteran Takayuki...
- 8/17/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center will unspool the 2021 edition Aug. 6-22 at Flc, kicking off with the premiere of “Escape From Mogadishu,” directed by Ryoo Seung-wa.
In all, 60 films will screen to audiences in person and virtually, with premieres of first and second features from directors for the feature film competition: “Anima”, “City of Lost Things”, “Hand Rolled Cigarette”, “Joint”, “Ten Months” and “Tiong Bahru Social Club”.
Hong Kong new wave director Ann Hui will receive the Variety Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award, and the festival will screen her film “The Story of Woo Viet” and Man Lim Chung’s pic on Hui, “Keep Rolling.”
The festival will introduce the section Asian American Focus, which will feature films including Aimee Long’s “A Shot Through the Wall.” The team behind the film will be present at the festival.
“Sensei, Would You Sit Beside Me?...
In all, 60 films will screen to audiences in person and virtually, with premieres of first and second features from directors for the feature film competition: “Anima”, “City of Lost Things”, “Hand Rolled Cigarette”, “Joint”, “Ten Months” and “Tiong Bahru Social Club”.
Hong Kong new wave director Ann Hui will receive the Variety Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award, and the festival will screen her film “The Story of Woo Viet” and Man Lim Chung’s pic on Hui, “Keep Rolling.”
The festival will introduce the section Asian American Focus, which will feature films including Aimee Long’s “A Shot Through the Wall.” The team behind the film will be present at the festival.
“Sensei, Would You Sit Beside Me?...
- 7/16/2021
- by Shalini Dore
- Variety Film + TV
This year’s festival will highlight in-person programming at Film at Lincoln Center and Sva Theatre, featuring over 60 world, international, and North American premieres, with many selections also available virtually to fans of Asian cinema across the country.
On August 6, 2021, the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center will kick off the 20th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), a hybrid event with Nyaff’s largest film lineup to date. The Festival will screen over 60 films, both virtually and in person, to audiences in New York and across the country from August 6 – 22, 2021.
Nyaff’s 2021 lineup will include two world premieres, six international premieres, 29 North American premieres, eight U.S. premieres, and nine New York premieres, showcasing the most exciting action, comedy, drama, thriller, romance, horror, and art-house films from East Asia.
Following an unprecedented year in which Covid-19 and increased violence against the Asian...
On August 6, 2021, the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center will kick off the 20th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), a hybrid event with Nyaff’s largest film lineup to date. The Festival will screen over 60 films, both virtually and in person, to audiences in New York and across the country from August 6 – 22, 2021.
Nyaff’s 2021 lineup will include two world premieres, six international premieres, 29 North American premieres, eight U.S. premieres, and nine New York premieres, showcasing the most exciting action, comedy, drama, thriller, romance, horror, and art-house films from East Asia.
Following an unprecedented year in which Covid-19 and increased violence against the Asian...
- 7/8/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Fine entertainment, food for thought, five world premieres and at least a touch of Japanese wackiness and warmth – this is what awaits the audience with around 80 current Japanese short and feature-length films of the 21st Nippon Connection Film Festival. After weeks of hoping and worrying, it is now certain that unfortunately the pandemic will not allow in-theater screenings in 2021 either. The largest festival for Japanese cinema worldwide will once again be held exclusively online from June 1 to 6, 2021.
All films are available online for six days throughout Germany and in some cases outside of Germany. Face-to-face talks with the filmmakers are moving into the digital realm to spark a direct exchange. For everyone whose yearning for Japan is stronger than ever, there is also Nippon Culture: the digital supporting program with over 40 interactive workshops, talks, extraordinary performances and concerts. For the first time, the Nippon Click & Collect Kiosk at the usual...
All films are available online for six days throughout Germany and in some cases outside of Germany. Face-to-face talks with the filmmakers are moving into the digital realm to spark a direct exchange. For everyone whose yearning for Japan is stronger than ever, there is also Nippon Culture: the digital supporting program with over 40 interactive workshops, talks, extraordinary performances and concerts. For the first time, the Nippon Click & Collect Kiosk at the usual...
- 5/16/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The last 10 years have seen director Kazuya Shiraishi rapidly becoming a household name of Japanese cinema. A director who challenges himself with a variety of genres, from crime thriller ”The Devil’s Path”, to the Roman porno reboot “Dawn of the Felines”, from the traditional Yakuza movie “The Blood of Wolves” to the docudrama “Dare to Stop Us”, a film particularly dear to him. Shiraishi in fact worked for Wakamatsu’s production company in the final years, often daydreaming – as he confessed in an interview – about the militant and hyperactive times of the master’s early prolific career. He is also a regular friend of Udine Far East Film Festival and this year he is present for the forth time with his latest effort “One Night”, a layered exploration of a family shattered by guilt and grudge, trying to come to terms with the consequences of violence.
One Night is...
One Night is...
- 11/29/2020
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Five Flavours Asian Film Festival invite you for a journey through taste, colors, and sounds of the Asian continent, hoping they can provide food for your thoughts and solace for your spirits.
The Programme of this year’s Festival comprises more than forty titles representing the extreme variety of Asian cinemas – from horror cinema to sweet melodramas, from grasping auteur cinema to relaxing journeys around the continent.
All the films will be presented online between November 25 and December 6.
Preparing this year’s edition forced the organisers to face up to completely new challenges – from the matters of logistics to finding new ways of thinking about their mission, priorities, building bridges between filmmakers and audiences outside the screening rooms. The online edition of the Festival is not a compromise, but a different way to reach the, perhaps even wider, audiences, discover the rich variety of Asian cultures, and explore the contemporary...
The Programme of this year’s Festival comprises more than forty titles representing the extreme variety of Asian cinemas – from horror cinema to sweet melodramas, from grasping auteur cinema to relaxing journeys around the continent.
All the films will be presented online between November 25 and December 6.
Preparing this year’s edition forced the organisers to face up to completely new challenges – from the matters of logistics to finding new ways of thinking about their mission, priorities, building bridges between filmmakers and audiences outside the screening rooms. The online edition of the Festival is not a compromise, but a different way to reach the, perhaps even wider, audiences, discover the rich variety of Asian cultures, and explore the contemporary...
- 11/2/2020
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The refined playbook of Japanese family drama allocates a close-meshed set of rules that many directors go by. At first sight, Hitoshi Yazaki’s “Sakura” is just another chapter. Based on a popular novel, teenage drama in a high school setting, food scenes at the dinner table, and a dog that the film is named after. But the renowned director, who started as Sogo Ishii’s assistant, lays out a false trail.
“Sakura” is screening on Japannual Film Festival
Hajime (Ryo Yoshizawa), Kaoru (Takumi Kitamura), and Miki (Nana Komatsu) live a happy life together with their parents at home. Hajime is the oldest good-looking baseball star of the family. He is the contrast to Kaoru, who has good grates but no luck with girls. Miki is the youngest sister, who mistrusts all the girls that the boys bring home. Sakura is the name of the family dog. Everything seems fine...
“Sakura” is screening on Japannual Film Festival
Hajime (Ryo Yoshizawa), Kaoru (Takumi Kitamura), and Miki (Nana Komatsu) live a happy life together with their parents at home. Hajime is the oldest good-looking baseball star of the family. He is the contrast to Kaoru, who has good grates but no luck with girls. Miki is the youngest sister, who mistrusts all the girls that the boys bring home. Sakura is the name of the family dog. Everything seems fine...
- 10/6/2020
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
translation by Lukasz Mankowski
Kazuya Shiraishi was born in Hokkaido, Asahikawa City in 1974. In 1995 he joined a film class held by director Genji Nakamura and later, he had the opportunity to study under Koji Wakamatsu and to work as a free assistant director for the late director. He gained attention for his first feature-length movie ”Lost Paradise in Tokyo” (2010) and since his debut he has been churning out movies at a prolific clip. His filmography includes “The Devil’s Path” (2013), “Birds Without Names” (2017), “Dawn of the Felines” (2017), “Dare to Stop Us” (2018), “The Blood of Wolves” (2018) and “Sea of Revival” (2019).
On the occasion of his latest film “One Night” being screened at New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), we speak with him about his casting criteria, working with DoP Atsuhiro Nabeshima, the complexity of crime, and many other topics.
“One Night“‘s script is based on a 2011 play by Kuwabara Yuko.
Kazuya Shiraishi was born in Hokkaido, Asahikawa City in 1974. In 1995 he joined a film class held by director Genji Nakamura and later, he had the opportunity to study under Koji Wakamatsu and to work as a free assistant director for the late director. He gained attention for his first feature-length movie ”Lost Paradise in Tokyo” (2010) and since his debut he has been churning out movies at a prolific clip. His filmography includes “The Devil’s Path” (2013), “Birds Without Names” (2017), “Dawn of the Felines” (2017), “Dare to Stop Us” (2018), “The Blood of Wolves” (2018) and “Sea of Revival” (2019).
On the occasion of his latest film “One Night” being screened at New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), we speak with him about his casting criteria, working with DoP Atsuhiro Nabeshima, the complexity of crime, and many other topics.
“One Night“‘s script is based on a 2011 play by Kuwabara Yuko.
- 10/4/2020
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The 3/11 catastrophe is a reoccurring topic in recent Japanese cinema. After a slow start, the industry seems to be confident enough to tackle the trauma. It almost took nine years for a big production company to release the premier Fukushima-themed blockbuster, “Fukushima 50” by Setsuro Wakamatsu. In the same year Nobuhiru Suwa, film director and President of the Tokyo Zokei University, presents “Voices in the Wind”. For the first time in 18 years, Suwa returns to his home country to tell a devastating and haunting roadtrip drama about 17-year-old Haru, who lost her parents in the tsunami and travels to the place that once was her home.
Voices in the Wind is screening at Camera Japan
In the northern coast town of Otsuchi, there is a white telephone booth to which over 30.000 people from all over Japan have come to speak to the “loved ones” that were lost in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
Voices in the Wind is screening at Camera Japan
In the northern coast town of Otsuchi, there is a white telephone booth to which over 30.000 people from all over Japan have come to speak to the “loved ones” that were lost in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
- 9/28/2020
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre’s unprecedented 9th annual Toronto Japanese Film Festival will be held online from Saturday, October 3 to Thursday, October 22 and features 22 films using the SHIFT72 festival platform. For the first time, Tjff is expanding its reach beyond Toronto to audiences across all of Canada, maintaining the festival’s sense of community while promoting friendship, understanding, and exchange between the Japanese and broader Canadian community. The festival has 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 international audiences.
Tjff 2020 also presents major award winners for their Canadian premieres: Mitsuhito Fujii’s The Journalist which won the Japanese Academy Awards for Best Film, Best Actor (Tori Matsuzaka) and Best Actress (Eun-kyung Shim); Hirohiko Arai’s intense erotic odyssey It Feels So Good (Kinema Junpo Awards...
Tjff 2020 also presents major award winners for their Canadian premieres: Mitsuhito Fujii’s The Journalist which won the Japanese Academy Awards for Best Film, Best Actor (Tori Matsuzaka) and Best Actress (Eun-kyung Shim); Hirohiko Arai’s intense erotic odyssey It Feels So Good (Kinema Junpo Awards...
- 9/14/2020
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Masanori Taki better known by his stage name Pierre Taki, is a veteran actor with 70 credits to his name, including cooperations with Takashi Miike, Hirokazu Koreeda, Kazuya Shiraishi and Takeshi Kitano. He is also
the front man for Japanese synthpop group Denki Groove, which consists of himself and Takkyu Ishino while he frequently deals in voice acting, both for animated films and Video games.
We speak with him about his career, Netflix and the change brought due to the streaming services, his many collaborations and various roles, Denki Groove and many other topics.
translation by Bryan Button-Lewis
You have been in the industry since the 90s. What are the most significant changes you have witnessed during this time? Would you say that acting has become easier or harder?
I would say one outstanding change is the arrival of Netflix and on-demand streaming. In the past, a movie would be previewed...
the front man for Japanese synthpop group Denki Groove, which consists of himself and Takkyu Ishino while he frequently deals in voice acting, both for animated films and Video games.
We speak with him about his career, Netflix and the change brought due to the streaming services, his many collaborations and various roles, Denki Groove and many other topics.
translation by Bryan Button-Lewis
You have been in the industry since the 90s. What are the most significant changes you have witnessed during this time? Would you say that acting has become easier or harder?
I would say one outstanding change is the arrival of Netflix and on-demand streaming. In the past, a movie would be previewed...
- 9/12/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Imagine a Japanese version of “Pygmalion” in which the sculptor continues to caress slabs of marble even after Galatea has come to life. That is the unusual premise of “Romance Doll,” a marital drama in which a sex doll maker’s rapt obssession with his new prototype, leads to rejection of his human muse. Directed by Yuki Tanada, from her own 2009 novel of the same title, the film initially holds promise to become a liberating erotic art film against the objectification of the female body. However,
Although it’s underlying attitudes about female sexuality might be problematic for female and feminist viewers, its suggestive subject matter (handled without offensive kinkiness) will set many an imaginative mind sprinting. “Romance Doll” was snapped up for theatrical release by several Asian territories. Following a premiere at Udine Far East Film Festival, it starts streaming on Netflix on July 24.
Films that make sex dolls their subject,...
Although it’s underlying attitudes about female sexuality might be problematic for female and feminist viewers, its suggestive subject matter (handled without offensive kinkiness) will set many an imaginative mind sprinting. “Romance Doll” was snapped up for theatrical release by several Asian territories. Following a premiere at Udine Far East Film Festival, it starts streaming on Netflix on July 24.
Films that make sex dolls their subject,...
- 7/15/2020
- by Maggie Lee
- Variety Film + TV
The last 10 years have seen director Kazuya Shiraishi rapidly becoming a household name of Japanese cinema. A director who challenges himself with a variety of genres, from crime thriller ”The Devil’s Path”, to the Roman porno reboot “Dawn of the Felines”, from the traditional Yakuza movie “The Blood of Wolves” to the docudrama “Dare to Stop Us”, a film particularly dear to him. Shiraishi in fact worked for Wakamatsu’s production company in the final years, often daydreaming – as he confessed in an interview – about the militant and hyperactive times of the master’s early prolific career. He is also a regular friend of Udine Far East Film Festival and this year he is present for the forth time with his latest effort “One Night”, a layered exploration of a family shattered by guilt and grudge, trying to come to terms with the consequences of violence.
“One Night” is...
“One Night” is...
- 6/28/2020
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
*The interview took place on December 2017
Norman England started his career in show business as a guitar and keyboard player for the New York based band Proper iD. In 1993 he moved permanently to Japan, where he began working as a journalist. In 1998 he spent a week on the set of George A. Romero’s TV commercial for the video game Resident Evil 2 and in 1999 became the Japan correspondent for Fangoria, a U.S magazine devoted to horror, splatter and exploitation movies. As a journalist he has worked for a number of magazines such as Hobby Japan, Japanzine, Flix, Japanese Giants, the Japan Times, Eiga Hiho, e.t.c.
Since 1999, he has visited over 35 film sets in Japan, including The Grudge, Gamera 3 and the entire Godzilla Millennium series, with an extended stay for Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah, where he visited the set almost continuously from April to October of...
Norman England started his career in show business as a guitar and keyboard player for the New York based band Proper iD. In 1993 he moved permanently to Japan, where he began working as a journalist. In 1998 he spent a week on the set of George A. Romero’s TV commercial for the video game Resident Evil 2 and in 1999 became the Japan correspondent for Fangoria, a U.S magazine devoted to horror, splatter and exploitation movies. As a journalist he has worked for a number of magazines such as Hobby Japan, Japanzine, Flix, Japanese Giants, the Japan Times, Eiga Hiho, e.t.c.
Since 1999, he has visited over 35 film sets in Japan, including The Grudge, Gamera 3 and the entire Godzilla Millennium series, with an extended stay for Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah, where he visited the set almost continuously from April to October of...
- 6/27/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
History may repeat itself, but not all heroes do. Merited for both their subjects and aesthetics, “30 Great Asian Biopics” collates national freedom fighters, last emperors, and hidden figures within the grand fabric of the past. We’ve got war epics, martial arts struggles, and simple slice-of-life films alike for your viewing pleasure. Take up the chance to learn of some of Asia’s greatest historical figures in our list below!
A number of the productions included in the list are not Asian at all, but since their main subject was an Asian, we decided to include them.
1. Mongol
Having a Russian director (Bodrov) and a Japanese protagonists (Asano) in a movie about the Mongolian Genghis Khan does not sound like a great idea, but the Russian director really made it work, presenting a movie that focuses on realism, rather than impression. The particular movie was going to a part of...
A number of the productions included in the list are not Asian at all, but since their main subject was an Asian, we decided to include them.
1. Mongol
Having a Russian director (Bodrov) and a Japanese protagonists (Asano) in a movie about the Mongolian Genghis Khan does not sound like a great idea, but the Russian director really made it work, presenting a movie that focuses on realism, rather than impression. The particular movie was going to a part of...
- 6/19/2020
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
The festival will play 46 features from eight Asian countries.
Udine’s Far East Film Festival (Feff) has revealed a lineup of 46 features including four world premieres, for the online-only edition of the event that will run from June 26 until July 4.
It will open with the international premiere of Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo’s disaster action film Ashfall, available to viewers in Europe only.
The film was a blockbuster hit in South Korea over Christmas, grossing almost $60m (£47.9m) by the end of January.
The world premieres are Ning Yuanyuan’s Chinese title An Insignificant Affair; Daigo Matsui’s Japanese...
Udine’s Far East Film Festival (Feff) has revealed a lineup of 46 features including four world premieres, for the online-only edition of the event that will run from June 26 until July 4.
It will open with the international premiere of Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo’s disaster action film Ashfall, available to viewers in Europe only.
The film was a blockbuster hit in South Korea over Christmas, grossing almost $60m (£47.9m) by the end of January.
The world premieres are Ning Yuanyuan’s Chinese title An Insignificant Affair; Daigo Matsui’s Japanese...
- 6/4/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
What is love? If you cannot find the answer in these 40 Asian movies, handpicked by the Amp group one by one, then there is definitely something wrong with you. Without further ado, here are 40 great Asian romantic films, released from 2000 onward, with a focus on diversity on country of origin, director, and style, in alphabetical order.
1. 2046
“2046” loses the simplicity and the chasteness of “In the Mood for Love” for a more chaotic and a bit lustful endeavor with greater ambition. This is a film that affects each person differently, what one takes away from this film will depends on themselves. (Jithin Mohan)
2. 3-Iron
Kim Ki-duk’s direction and the editing are magnificent, as he accomplishes very much with all of his choices. Even when the main characters never say a word to each other, the story catches us by concrete scenes flowing clearly. The calm but...
1. 2046
“2046” loses the simplicity and the chasteness of “In the Mood for Love” for a more chaotic and a bit lustful endeavor with greater ambition. This is a film that affects each person differently, what one takes away from this film will depends on themselves. (Jithin Mohan)
2. 3-Iron
Kim Ki-duk’s direction and the editing are magnificent, as he accomplishes very much with all of his choices. Even when the main characters never say a word to each other, the story catches us by concrete scenes flowing clearly. The calm but...
- 4/9/2020
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
In my book, Kazuya Shiraishi has raised to be the sterling voice of Japanese mainstream cinema during the last few years, with films like “Birds Without Names“, “The Blood of Wolves” and others combining artistry and context in the most entertaining fashion. “Sea of Revival” attempts to follow in the same footsteps.
Sea of Revival is screening as part of The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme
Ikuo works at a printing plant but has troubles with both gambling and drinking, with his life having taken a rather failed path. However, his girlfriend, Ayumi, who lives together with him and her teenage daughter from a previous wedding, Minami, is not willing to let him go. In order to “save” him, and their financial situation, she decides to take the whole family and move to her hometown, Ishinomaki, in her widowed father’s house, where she can also take care of yet another person.
Sea of Revival is screening as part of The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme
Ikuo works at a printing plant but has troubles with both gambling and drinking, with his life having taken a rather failed path. However, his girlfriend, Ayumi, who lives together with him and her teenage daughter from a previous wedding, Minami, is not willing to let him go. In order to “save” him, and their financial situation, she decides to take the whole family and move to her hometown, Ishinomaki, in her widowed father’s house, where she can also take care of yet another person.
- 2/2/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
In many ways, Crazy Rich Asians is a landmark movie of this era. Just a few years ago, it would have been almost inconceivable for a major Hollywood movie filled entirely an Asian cast to be greenlit, let alone become a blockbuster hit. As the biggest grossing romantic movie of this decade, Crazy Rich Asians has put the Asian ethnic communities in the limelight, and along with it, the game of Mahjong as well.
For most Westerners, mahjong is something that they will instantly recognize yet know next to nothing about. It is a regular fixture in scenes involving Asian characters in Hollywood movies and TV shows. You may even call it a trope to have Asians playing mahjong in the background, be it in a club, bar, outside, or even inside low-security ladies prisons.
But Asian movies produced outside the Us often have mahjong gambling scenes in them too,...
For most Westerners, mahjong is something that they will instantly recognize yet know next to nothing about. It is a regular fixture in scenes involving Asian characters in Hollywood movies and TV shows. You may even call it a trope to have Asians playing mahjong in the background, be it in a club, bar, outside, or even inside low-security ladies prisons.
But Asian movies produced outside the Us often have mahjong gambling scenes in them too,...
- 12/20/2019
- by AMP Training
- AsianMoviePulse
As the 1960s were coming to an end, Japanese studios such as Nikkatsu found themselves nearly bankrupt. Founded in 1912, the studio had been the starting point of many successful careers and the home for many of the most influential filmmakers of Japan, such as Seijun Suzuki and Shohei Imamura. However, the growing importance and spread of the television had taken its toll on the studio who now had to go through one of the most radical transition as they started doing “roman porno” or pink films.
Ultimately, pink films became the much needed change the studio had looked for and also one of the trademarks it is now famous for. In order to celebrate the anniversary of their first pink film, Nikkatsu attempted to reboot their line of “roman porno” with the help of such directors like Sion Sono and Kazuya Shiraishi, who would enjoy more or less creative freedom...
Ultimately, pink films became the much needed change the studio had looked for and also one of the trademarks it is now famous for. In order to celebrate the anniversary of their first pink film, Nikkatsu attempted to reboot their line of “roman porno” with the help of such directors like Sion Sono and Kazuya Shiraishi, who would enjoy more or less creative freedom...
- 12/18/2019
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The Kawasaki Shinyuri Film Festival has reversed its previous decision, and on Monday went ahead with a screening of the controversial documentary “Shusenjo: The Main Battleground of the Comfort Women Issue.” Last week, the festival sparked outcry when it announced the film’s cancellation.
The change of heart came after the festival, which is held in the Tokyo metro sub-center of Kawasaki, Oct. 27-Nov. 4, was roundly criticized by fans, critics and filmmakers, including directors Hirokazu Koreeda and Kazuya Shiraishi, both of whom had films in the festival.
Local firm, Wakamatsu Production announced the withdrawal of two of its films, including Shiraishi’s indie film world drama “Dare to Stop Us.”
Directed by Japanese-American Miki Dezaki, “Shusenjo” examines the plight of women recruited by the Japanese military to provide sexual services during World War II. Following the film’s April release in Japan, right wingers attempted to stop screenings, while several...
The change of heart came after the festival, which is held in the Tokyo metro sub-center of Kawasaki, Oct. 27-Nov. 4, was roundly criticized by fans, critics and filmmakers, including directors Hirokazu Koreeda and Kazuya Shiraishi, both of whom had films in the festival.
Local firm, Wakamatsu Production announced the withdrawal of two of its films, including Shiraishi’s indie film world drama “Dare to Stop Us.”
Directed by Japanese-American Miki Dezaki, “Shusenjo” examines the plight of women recruited by the Japanese military to provide sexual services during World War II. Following the film’s April release in Japan, right wingers attempted to stop screenings, while several...
- 11/4/2019
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
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