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
Flash Forward: Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors from December 3 – 23, 2021
Highlighting the early efforts of now-established contemporary filmmakers, the Japan Society has announced the second Aca Cinema Project series Flash Forward: Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors, which takes an intimate look at six of Japan’s most well-known directors: Naomi Kawase, Miwa Nishikawa, Shuichi Okita, Junji Sakamoto, Akihiko Shiota and Masayuki Suo. Pairing each debut with a recent work, the series presents two distinct facets of each filmmaker’s career – encouraging dialogue and interplay as well as tracking the development of their signature voice. By drawing parallels and contrasts between past and present, Flash Forward illuminates the importance of these pivotal early works within each artist’s career. Co-presented by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, in collaboration with Visual Industry Promotion Organization.
Tickets for in-person and online screenings are available from the Japan Society website: https://www.japansociety.org/arts-and-culture/films/flash-forward-japanese-films.
Tickets for in-person and online screenings are available from the Japan Society website: https://www.japansociety.org/arts-and-culture/films/flash-forward-japanese-films.
- 11/30/2021
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
A stellar snapshot of recent Japanese cinema is coming next month to the Japan Society. Flash Forward: Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors––which takes an intimate look at six of Japan’s most well-known directors: Naomi Kawase, Miwa Nishikawa, Shuichi Okita, Junji Sakamoto, Akihiko Shiota, and Masayuki Suo––will feature films available to stream nationwide from Dec. 3-23 and two in-person screenings in Japan Society’s auditorium on December 11 and 17. Ahead of the series, we’re pleased to exclusively debut the festival trailer.
Pairing each debut with a recent work, the series presents two distinct facets of each filmmaker’s career—encouraging dialogue and interplay as well as tracking the development of their signature voice. By drawing parallels and contrasts between past and present, Flash Forward illuminates the importance of these pivotal early works within each artist’s career.
Series highlights include Naomi Kawase’s...
Pairing each debut with a recent work, the series presents two distinct facets of each filmmaker’s career—encouraging dialogue and interplay as well as tracking the development of their signature voice. By drawing parallels and contrasts between past and present, Flash Forward illuminates the importance of these pivotal early works within each artist’s career.
Series highlights include Naomi Kawase’s...
- 11/15/2021
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Exclusive: The second Aca Cinema Project series, “Flash Forward: Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors,” has set its lineup for a hybrid program that will run from December 3-23. Presented by the New York-based non-profit Japan Society and the Japanese government’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the Visual Industry Promotion Organization, the event will be comprised of 18 films streaming in North America on Japan Society’s Virtual Cinema hub, along with two in-person screenings on December 11 and 17.
Highlighting the early efforts of now-established contemporary filmmakers, the program takes a look at six of Japan’s well-known directors: Naomi Kawase, Miwa Nishikawa, Shuichi Okita, Junji Sakamoto, Akihiko Shiota and Masayuki Suo. Pairing each of their debuts with a recent work, the series presents two facets of their careers. (Scroll down for the full list.) Panel discussions will also be held with some of the filmmakers and available to stream worldwide.
Highlighting the early efforts of now-established contemporary filmmakers, the program takes a look at six of Japan’s well-known directors: Naomi Kawase, Miwa Nishikawa, Shuichi Okita, Junji Sakamoto, Akihiko Shiota and Masayuki Suo. Pairing each of their debuts with a recent work, the series presents two facets of their careers. (Scroll down for the full list.) Panel discussions will also be held with some of the filmmakers and available to stream worldwide.
- 11/4/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
With “Echoes from a Bridge” Bilal Kawazoe follows the success of his award-winning short “Whole” (2019) and introduces an unlikely couple. Kawazoe, who grew up biracial and bilingual in Tokyo, tells about the encounter between an old night guard, played by Keiji Yamashita (“Melancholic” 2018), and a drunken salaryman. As the old man stands silent on his post on a bridge, the talkative clerk gets his gossip off his chest, which turns into a daily routine.
Echoes from a Bridge is screening at Skip City International D-Cinema Festival
Only 15 minutes long, the film models an atmosphere of solitude and loneliness. Using the nocturnal backdrop of an urban industrial zone with harbors, residential areas, bridges and water reflections, one can easily relate to the feeling of the characters. A sad instrumental soundtrack highlights the combination of high-resolution pictures and emotional coldness. The salaryman who tries to break the silence and get in touch...
Echoes from a Bridge is screening at Skip City International D-Cinema Festival
Only 15 minutes long, the film models an atmosphere of solitude and loneliness. Using the nocturnal backdrop of an urban industrial zone with harbors, residential areas, bridges and water reflections, one can easily relate to the feeling of the characters. A sad instrumental soundtrack highlights the combination of high-resolution pictures and emotional coldness. The salaryman who tries to break the silence and get in touch...
- 10/4/2021
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
Quebec’s Fantasia Festival has unveiled the third and final wave of titles set to screen at this year’s 25th edition and announced that Takashi Miike’s latest feature “The Great Yokai War – Guardians,” will close the festival. The world premiere of Julien Knafo’s Quebec zombie flic “Brain Freeze” will open the festival following an Aug. 4 pre-fest screening of James Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad.”
“The Great Yokai War- Guardians” is the follow-up to Fantasia 2006 opener “The Great Yoki War,” and unspools in a fantasy world of Japanese demons, kaiju and pop culture references which proved a hit in Montreal the first time around.
Other key titles featured in the third wave lineup include Lee Won-tae’s “The Devil’s Deal,” his first film since “The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil” won Sitges’ best film award in 2019. BAFTA-winner Paul Andrew Williams’ (“Murdered for Being Different”) “Bull,” a revenge thriller,...
“The Great Yokai War- Guardians” is the follow-up to Fantasia 2006 opener “The Great Yoki War,” and unspools in a fantasy world of Japanese demons, kaiju and pop culture references which proved a hit in Montreal the first time around.
Other key titles featured in the third wave lineup include Lee Won-tae’s “The Devil’s Deal,” his first film since “The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil” won Sitges’ best film award in 2019. BAFTA-winner Paul Andrew Williams’ (“Murdered for Being Different”) “Bull,” a revenge thriller,...
- 7/21/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
The Toronto Japanese Film Festival 2021 is pleased to announce the 2021 Kobayashi Audience Choice Award goes to Miwa Nishikawa’s Under The Open Sky.
Starring Koji Yakusho in a career best performance, Under The Open Sky is a poignant, touching film directed with great empathy and intelligence. Adapted from Naoki Prize-winning novelist Ryuzo Saki’s Mibuncho.
James Heron festival Director said “Director Nishikawa’s wonderful film received some strong competition from Jose! Jose Mujica – Just Keep Walking and Mio’S Cookbook but prevailed in the end. Congratulations Nishikawa-san and thank you for your consistently great filmmaking. We are already looking forward to your next film!”.
The Kobayashi Audience Choice Award is presented to the film chosen as the festival favorite by audiences based on ballots completed at the end of each screening.
The award is named in honour of Coby and Yone Kobayashi, a second-generation nikkei couple whose vision, generosity and...
Starring Koji Yakusho in a career best performance, Under The Open Sky is a poignant, touching film directed with great empathy and intelligence. Adapted from Naoki Prize-winning novelist Ryuzo Saki’s Mibuncho.
James Heron festival Director said “Director Nishikawa’s wonderful film received some strong competition from Jose! Jose Mujica – Just Keep Walking and Mio’S Cookbook but prevailed in the end. Congratulations Nishikawa-san and thank you for your consistently great filmmaking. We are already looking forward to your next film!”.
The Kobayashi Audience Choice Award is presented to the film chosen as the festival favorite by audiences based on ballots completed at the end of each screening.
The award is named in honour of Coby and Yone Kobayashi, a second-generation nikkei couple whose vision, generosity and...
- 7/6/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Translated by Lukasz Mankowski:
Born in 1977, Miwa Nishikawa is a director, screenwriter, producer. Studied literature at the Waseda University, started her film career as the assistant of Hirokazu Koreeda, who produced her debut, “Wild Berries.” The film received awards at the Yokohama Festival, Mainichi Film Concours and the Japanese Professional Movie Award. Her following, award-winning productions were also well-received. “Sway” (2006) was presented in the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight section, its script received the literary Yomiuri award and soon came out as a novel. Nishikawa also published a set of short stories “Kino no kamisama” and a novel “Nagai iwake.”
On the occasion of “Under the Open Sky screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival, we speak with her about shooting her first novel adaptation, the world of Yakuza in the past and now, Koji Yakusho and Meiko Kaji, music and humour in the film, and other topics
All your previous movies were from your own original scripts,...
Born in 1977, Miwa Nishikawa is a director, screenwriter, producer. Studied literature at the Waseda University, started her film career as the assistant of Hirokazu Koreeda, who produced her debut, “Wild Berries.” The film received awards at the Yokohama Festival, Mainichi Film Concours and the Japanese Professional Movie Award. Her following, award-winning productions were also well-received. “Sway” (2006) was presented in the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight section, its script received the literary Yomiuri award and soon came out as a novel. Nishikawa also published a set of short stories “Kino no kamisama” and a novel “Nagai iwake.”
On the occasion of “Under the Open Sky screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival, we speak with her about shooting her first novel adaptation, the world of Yakuza in the past and now, Koji Yakusho and Meiko Kaji, music and humour in the film, and other topics
All your previous movies were from your own original scripts,...
- 6/24/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The Toronto Japanese Film Festival is pleased to announce the 2021 Grand Jury Prize goes to A Garden Of The Camellias. The powerful directorial debut from photographer Yoshihiko Ueda is a ravishingly beautiful examination of the exquisite transience of life. The Jury compared the film to the work of Mizoguchi and Ozu stating, “Sumiko Fuji is a portrait in grace as a grieving widow and mother, who is holding fast to her memories in a house that may soon no longer be hers. I could feel every beat of her wounded heart.”
In a three-way tie for runner-up the Jury selected Akiko Ohku’s Hold Me Back, calling it “A buoyant, bold, and endlessly interesting film that—like all the Ohku films—emphasizes the internal world of someone we’re always just beyond reach of understanding”. Of Shuichi Okita’s surreal examination of aging and loneliness, Ora Ora Be Goin’ Alone...
In a three-way tie for runner-up the Jury selected Akiko Ohku’s Hold Me Back, calling it “A buoyant, bold, and endlessly interesting film that—like all the Ohku films—emphasizes the internal world of someone we’re always just beyond reach of understanding”. Of Shuichi Okita’s surreal examination of aging and loneliness, Ora Ora Be Goin’ Alone...
- 6/4/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- 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
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 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 21st Japanese Film Festival Nippon Connection is planned as a hybrid event and is scheduled for June 1 to 6, 2021. The event is expected to take place online and at a few selected venues in the city of Frankfurt am Main. On six days, the world’s largest festival for Japanese cinema presents a selection of over 100 current Japanese short and feature-length films. All films will be available via video on demand. In addition, several filmmakers will participate in online discussions and interviews live from Japan. Digital workshops, lectures, performances, and concerts complement the program.
Due to uncertainties regarding the further progression of the pandemic and associated regulations, planning the festival is extremely difficult. The organizing team of the Nippon Connection film festival is hopeful, however, that it will be possible to offer on-site cinema as well. “Film festivals always live from shared moments in the cinema and the film experience...
Due to uncertainties regarding the further progression of the pandemic and associated regulations, planning the festival is extremely difficult. The organizing team of the Nippon Connection film festival is hopeful, however, that it will be possible to offer on-site cinema as well. “Film festivals always live from shared moments in the cinema and the film experience...
- 4/3/2021
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
New York, NY –Japan Society and the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (Aca), in collaboration with the Visual Industry Promotion Organization (Vipo), announce the inaugural Aca Cinema Project online film series 21st Century Japan: Films from 2001-2020, streaming nationwide on Japan Society’s Virtual Cinema from February 5-25, 2021.
As Japan’s film industry enters its third decade in the new millennium, this 30-film online series takes a look back at the last 20 years of Japanese cinema to celebrate some of the most remarkable narrative fiction films and filmmakers that define the era. Covering a wide range of production styles and genres—from small budget independent debuts to festival favorites and award-winning major studio releases—this diverse slate of feature and short films offers a guided tour of modern Japanese cinema, including special spotlights dedicated to the work of Kiyoshi Kurosawa and a selection of breakout films by up-and-coming filmmakers.
As Japan’s film industry enters its third decade in the new millennium, this 30-film online series takes a look back at the last 20 years of Japanese cinema to celebrate some of the most remarkable narrative fiction films and filmmakers that define the era. Covering a wide range of production styles and genres—from small budget independent debuts to festival favorites and award-winning major studio releases—this diverse slate of feature and short films offers a guided tour of modern Japanese cinema, including special spotlights dedicated to the work of Kiyoshi Kurosawa and a selection of breakout films by up-and-coming filmmakers.
- 1/11/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Cinemas in Tokyo and three neighbouring prefectures can remain open but are requested to close their doors by 8pm.
Tokyo’s cinemas will be scaling back opening hours tomorrow after the Japanese government declared a second state of emergency in the capital due to an escalation of Covid-19 infection cases.
Cinemas can stay open but have been called on to close their doors by 8:00pm, a request that has also been made to department stores, restaurants and bars, and while the order is not mandatory, it is expected that most businesses will comply.
The new restrictions apply to Tokyo...
Tokyo’s cinemas will be scaling back opening hours tomorrow after the Japanese government declared a second state of emergency in the capital due to an escalation of Covid-19 infection cases.
Cinemas can stay open but have been called on to close their doors by 8:00pm, a request that has also been made to department stores, restaurants and bars, and while the order is not mandatory, it is expected that most businesses will comply.
The new restrictions apply to Tokyo...
- 1/7/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Since the pandemic did not disrupt the production of films in the Japanese movie industry, at least not as much as in other countries, 2020 was another year with a plethora of great productions, highlighting, once more, the strength of the local cinema. In that regard, this list could easily entail 25+ movies, and the decision to cut out some was as difficult as coming up with the top ones, since the six last could all easily be in number 1.
Without further ado, here are the best Japanese films of 2020, in reverse order. Some films may have premiered in 2019, but since they mostly circulated in 2020, we decided to include them.
*By clicking on the title, you can read the full review of the film
20. Red Post on Escher Street (Sion Sono)
Sono repeatedly and almost venomously attacks the studio system of Japan through his particular sense of humour, more refined to suit...
Without further ado, here are the best Japanese films of 2020, in reverse order. Some films may have premiered in 2019, but since they mostly circulated in 2020, we decided to include them.
*By clicking on the title, you can read the full review of the film
20. Red Post on Escher Street (Sion Sono)
Sono repeatedly and almost venomously attacks the studio system of Japan through his particular sense of humour, more refined to suit...
- 12/18/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
29 of the contributors of Asian Movie Pulse from America, Europe and Asia have voted the 25 Best Films of 2020, resulting in what we consider a great selection, despite the difficulties the current year presented to both the shooting and the availability of new movies. In that regard, the list includes films from Malaysia, Japan, Iran. S. Korea, Kazakhstan, Singapore, China, and Taiwan while crime thrillers, animations, shorts, LGBT, comedies, horror, black-and-white and even “quarantine movies” have found a place.
Without further ado, here are the best Asian films of 2020, in reverse order. Some films may have premiered in 2019, but since they mostly circulated in 2020, we decided to include them, after an intense fight that lasted for 150 nights (give or take) and ended up with even more victims
*By clicking on the title, you can read the full review of the film
25. Roh
Graced with a stellar story, plenty of chilling aspects...
Without further ado, here are the best Asian films of 2020, in reverse order. Some films may have premiered in 2019, but since they mostly circulated in 2020, we decided to include them, after an intense fight that lasted for 150 nights (give or take) and ended up with even more victims
*By clicking on the title, you can read the full review of the film
25. Roh
Graced with a stellar story, plenty of chilling aspects...
- 12/12/2020
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
In an unprecedented choice for her, Miwa Nishikawa does not direct a script of her own, but adapts a novel, Ryuzo Saki’s Naoki-winner “Mibuncho”, for her latest movie. Furthermore, she cast Koji Yakusho as her protagonist, proving once more, after “Dear Doctor” and Tsurube Shofukutei, how well she can cooperate with veteran actors.
“Under the Open Sky” is Screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
Yakusho plays former yakuza, past middle age Mikami Madao, who has just been released from prison after a thirteen-year murder sentence. Mikami, an orphan, has spent all his life between working for the mafia and being in prison, but this time is set on turning a different page and finally becoming a “proper” citizen. However, being essentially illiterate and without any particular skill, he finds himself racing against all odds, including his own, short-tempered and violent nature. Tsunoda, a young ex-producer/current writer, is...
“Under the Open Sky” is Screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
Yakusho plays former yakuza, past middle age Mikami Madao, who has just been released from prison after a thirteen-year murder sentence. Mikami, an orphan, has spent all his life between working for the mafia and being in prison, but this time is set on turning a different page and finally becoming a “proper” citizen. However, being essentially illiterate and without any particular skill, he finds himself racing against all odds, including his own, short-tempered and violent nature. Tsunoda, a young ex-producer/current writer, is...
- 12/3/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- 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
In an unprecedented choice for her, Miwa Nishikawa does not direct a script of her own, but adapts a novel, Ryuzo Saki’s Naoki-winner “Mibuncho”, for her latest movie. Furthermore, she cast Koji Yakusho as her protagonist, proving once more, after “Dear Doctor” and Tsurube Shofukutei, how well she can cooperate with veteran actors.
“Under the Open Sky” is screening at San Diego Asian Film Festival
Yakusho plays former yakuza, past middle age Mikami Madao, who has just been released from prison after a thirteen-year murder sentence. Mikami, an orphan, has spent all his life between working for the mafia and being in prison, but this time is set on turning a different page and finally becoming a “proper” citizen. However, being essentially illiterate and without any particular skill, he finds himself racing against all odds, including his own, short-tempered and violent nature. Tsunoda, a young ex-producer/current writer, is...
“Under the Open Sky” is screening at San Diego Asian Film Festival
Yakusho plays former yakuza, past middle age Mikami Madao, who has just been released from prison after a thirteen-year murder sentence. Mikami, an orphan, has spent all his life between working for the mafia and being in prison, but this time is set on turning a different page and finally becoming a “proper” citizen. However, being essentially illiterate and without any particular skill, he finds himself racing against all odds, including his own, short-tempered and violent nature. Tsunoda, a young ex-producer/current writer, is...
- 10/28/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Festival to go ahead as a physical event with guests including Thomas Vinterberg and Francois Ozon.
Rome Film Fest has revealed the programme and plans for its 15th edition, which is set to go ahead as a physical event with digital elements from October 15-25.
A total of 24 films and documentaries will comprise the official selection, most of which have proved critically-acclaimed at festivals such as Toronto, with nine having previously received a Cannes 2020 label.
Scroll down for line-up
These include three titles from Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology: Mangrove; Lovers Rock; and Red, White And Blue. The...
Rome Film Fest has revealed the programme and plans for its 15th edition, which is set to go ahead as a physical event with digital elements from October 15-25.
A total of 24 films and documentaries will comprise the official selection, most of which have proved critically-acclaimed at festivals such as Toronto, with nine having previously received a Cannes 2020 label.
Scroll down for line-up
These include three titles from Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology: Mangrove; Lovers Rock; and Red, White And Blue. The...
- 10/5/2020
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Virtual festival to run from October 14-25.
A host of Cannes Label and autumn festival selections populate the competitions line-up at the upcoming virtual edition of the 56th Chicago International Film Festival announced on Monday (September 21).
Venice and Toronto selections in the International Feature Competition include Apples (Greece) from Christos Nikou and Philippe Lacôte’s Ivorian Night Of The Kings, while among the New Directors highlights are João Paulo Miranda Maria’s Memory House from Brazil, and Palestine-set Gaza Mon Amor from Tarzan and Arab Nasser.
True Mothers (Japan) from Naomi Kawase in International Feature Competition and Spring Blossom (France...
A host of Cannes Label and autumn festival selections populate the competitions line-up at the upcoming virtual edition of the 56th Chicago International Film Festival announced on Monday (September 21).
Venice and Toronto selections in the International Feature Competition include Apples (Greece) from Christos Nikou and Philippe Lacôte’s Ivorian Night Of The Kings, while among the New Directors highlights are João Paulo Miranda Maria’s Memory House from Brazil, and Palestine-set Gaza Mon Amor from Tarzan and Arab Nasser.
True Mothers (Japan) from Naomi Kawase in International Feature Competition and Spring Blossom (France...
- 9/21/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
“Prison is the only place that won’t kick you out no matter how badly you behave,” remarks the ex-con protagonist, who gets no second chances in Japanese society. Directed with piercing insight, emotional depth and true compassion by Miwa Nishikawa, “Under the Open Skies” tells the heartbreaking tale of a pariah whose soul is crushed by systemic discrimination and a world of hypocritical conformity. while likely collecting awards at home and abroad.
Ever since her sophomore feature “Sway” premiered at Cannes’ Director’s Fortnight in 2006, Nishikawa has been a name to watch for riveting, wickedly cynical works. She also excels in drawing morally ambiguous characters: liars and swindlers hiding secrets behind their social standing. Though her technique is no less rigorous, her sixth film treads a new path by rooting for a career criminal from the lower depths who suffers for his honest values. This puts the film in...
Ever since her sophomore feature “Sway” premiered at Cannes’ Director’s Fortnight in 2006, Nishikawa has been a name to watch for riveting, wickedly cynical works. She also excels in drawing morally ambiguous characters: liars and swindlers hiding secrets behind their social standing. Though her technique is no less rigorous, her sixth film treads a new path by rooting for a career criminal from the lower depths who suffers for his honest values. This puts the film in...
- 9/16/2020
- by Maggie Lee
- Variety Film + TV
“How do you feel about the crime you committed? Remorse for the victim?” This question is posed early in Under the Open Sky to an aging figure named Mikami. He is a former yakuza on the verge of release after a thirteen-year prison sentence. As played Kōji Yakusho––the veteran Japanese actor who has collaborated with Hirokazu Kore-eda, Takashi Miike, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, and more––he is a man who veers wildly between gentle smiles and utter rage. “Yes. I regret it,” he replies to the prison official. “Getting locked up for that hoodlum.” Mikami explains that the sword attack drew an “unfair verdict.” The official asks a follow-up: “It was a gang war, wasn’t it?” At this moment, Mikami’s voice explodes: “I was a lone wolf and didn’t belong to any family then!” Finally, he throws up his arms, complaining that “it’s no debating this with you.
- 9/13/2020
- by Christopher Schobert
- The Film Stage
The 45th edition of the Toronto Film Festival is still very much a go, although made up of a reduced programme. After announcing that Spike Lee’s filmed version of the Broadway-acclaimed David Byrne’s ‘American Utopia’ will open the festival the full line-up has now been released.
Taking place between September 10 – 19, the festival will see the first 5 days made up of physical screenings. The program will also be made up of drive-ins, digital screenings, virtual red carpets, press conferences, industry talks.
The highlights of this year’s festival will include ‘God’s Own Country’ helmer Francis Lee’s ‘Ammonite,’Chloe Zhao’s ‘Nomadland,’ Florian Zeller’s ‘The Father’ and Werner Herzog’s doco “Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds as well as films directed by Regina King, Viggo Mortensen and Halle Berry.
Also in news – Netflix release first look images from Ryan Murphy’s ‘Ratched’
See the full line-up below;
“180 Degree...
Taking place between September 10 – 19, the festival will see the first 5 days made up of physical screenings. The program will also be made up of drive-ins, digital screenings, virtual red carpets, press conferences, industry talks.
The highlights of this year’s festival will include ‘God’s Own Country’ helmer Francis Lee’s ‘Ammonite,’Chloe Zhao’s ‘Nomadland,’ Florian Zeller’s ‘The Father’ and Werner Herzog’s doco “Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds as well as films directed by Regina King, Viggo Mortensen and Halle Berry.
Also in news – Netflix release first look images from Ryan Murphy’s ‘Ratched’
See the full line-up below;
“180 Degree...
- 7/31/2020
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Nicolás Pereda's FaunaToronto International Film Festival have unveiled a dramatically reduced selection of films from their upcoming 2020 edition, including new films by Spike Lee, Nicolás Pereda, Naomi Kawase, and Werner Herzog. The festival's tailored lineup of 50 features, plus five programs of to-be-announced shorts, will screen both physically (for the festival's first five days) and virtually (for the festival's full 10 days.) As previously announced, selected films—such as Chloé Zhao's Nomadland—will premiere in a non-competitive alliance with other major fall festivals in Venice, Telluride, and New York.Opening Night FILMDavid Byrne’s American Utopia (Spike Lee)Closing Night Filma Suitable Boy (Mira Nair)Official SELECTION180 Degree Rule (Farnoosh Samadi)76 Days (Hao Wu, Anonymous, Weixi Chen)Ammonite (Francis Lee)Another Round (Thomas Vinterberg)Bandar Band (Manijeh Hekmat)Beans (Tracey Deer)Beginning (Dea Kulumbegashvili)The Best Is Yet To Come (Wang Jing)Bruised (Halle Berry)City Hall (Frederick Wiseman)Concrete Cowboy...
- 7/30/2020
- MUBI
As announced last month, the Toronto International Film Festival will look quite different this year in the era of Covid-19. Featuring a drastically reduced lineup, physical screenings for only the first half of the festivals, and more changes, the festival has now unveiled their complete feature film lineup.
Along with previously announced films like the opener, Spike Lee’s filmed version of David Byrne’s American Utopia, Francis Lee’s Ammonite, and Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland, the festival also includes directorial debuts by Halle Berry and Regina King as well as new work by Werner Herzog, Mira Nair, Reinaldo Marcus Green, Frederick Wiseman, and more.
“We began this year planning for a 45th Festival much like our previous editions,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director and Co-Head of TIFF, “but along the way we had to rethink just about everything. This year’s lineup reflects that tumult. The names you already...
Along with previously announced films like the opener, Spike Lee’s filmed version of David Byrne’s American Utopia, Francis Lee’s Ammonite, and Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland, the festival also includes directorial debuts by Halle Berry and Regina King as well as new work by Werner Herzog, Mira Nair, Reinaldo Marcus Green, Frederick Wiseman, and more.
“We began this year planning for a 45th Festival much like our previous editions,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director and Co-Head of TIFF, “but along the way we had to rethink just about everything. This year’s lineup reflects that tumult. The names you already...
- 7/30/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Films include ’Ammonite’, ’Notturno’, ’New Order’ and ’Penguin Bloom’.
New work from Francis Lee, Werner Herzog, François Ozon, Gianfranco Rosi, Regina King and Mira Nair are among the line-up for the 45th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
As previously announced, Spike Lee’s David Byrne’s American Utopia will open this year’s edition, which runs from September 10-19.
The festival will close with Nair’s A Suitable Boy (pictured), a six-part TV drama that debuted on the BBC in the UK last Sunday (July 26). Netflix has online global rights, excluding North America and China.
Scroll down for full line-up...
New work from Francis Lee, Werner Herzog, François Ozon, Gianfranco Rosi, Regina King and Mira Nair are among the line-up for the 45th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
As previously announced, Spike Lee’s David Byrne’s American Utopia will open this year’s edition, which runs from September 10-19.
The festival will close with Nair’s A Suitable Boy (pictured), a six-part TV drama that debuted on the BBC in the UK last Sunday (July 26). Netflix has online global rights, excluding North America and China.
Scroll down for full line-up...
- 7/30/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Pablo Larraín to direct from Steven Knight screenplay.
Kristen Stewart will portray Princess Diana in Pablo Larrain’s hot virtual Cannes project Spencer, which FilmNation is introducing to international buyers.
Larraín, who turned his lens on another female global icon, Jackie Kennedy, in Venice 2016 premiere Jackie, and most recently directed Ema, will direct from a screenplay by Steven Knight, whose credits include Eastern Promises, Peaky Blinders and Locke..
The story will take place over three days at the Sandringham estate in the UK in the late 1990s as Diana comes to realise her marriage into the Royal Family has failed...
Kristen Stewart will portray Princess Diana in Pablo Larrain’s hot virtual Cannes project Spencer, which FilmNation is introducing to international buyers.
Larraín, who turned his lens on another female global icon, Jackie Kennedy, in Venice 2016 premiere Jackie, and most recently directed Ema, will direct from a screenplay by Steven Knight, whose credits include Eastern Promises, Peaky Blinders and Locke..
The story will take place over three days at the Sandringham estate in the UK in the late 1990s as Diana comes to realise her marriage into the Royal Family has failed...
- 6/17/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Pablo Larraín to direct from Steven Knight screenplay.
Twitter is blowing up after it emerged that Kristen Stewart will portray Princess Diana in the hot Cannes virtual market sales project Spencer, which Pablo Larraín will direct and FilmNation is introducing to international buyers next week.
Larraín, who turned his lens on another female global icon, Jackie Kennedy, in Venice 2016 premiere Jackie, and most recently directed Ema, will direct from a screenplay by Steven Knight.
The story will take place over three days at the Sandringham estate in the late 1990s as Diana comes to realise her marriage into the Royal...
Twitter is blowing up after it emerged that Kristen Stewart will portray Princess Diana in the hot Cannes virtual market sales project Spencer, which Pablo Larraín will direct and FilmNation is introducing to international buyers next week.
Larraín, who turned his lens on another female global icon, Jackie Kennedy, in Venice 2016 premiere Jackie, and most recently directed Ema, will direct from a screenplay by Steven Knight.
The story will take place over three days at the Sandringham estate in the late 1990s as Diana comes to realise her marriage into the Royal...
- 6/17/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Pablo Larraín to direct from Steven Knight screenplay.
Twitter is blowing up after it emerged that Kristen Stewart will portray Princess Diana in the hot Cannes virtual market sales project Spencer, which Pablo Larraín will direct and FilmNation is introducing to international buyers next week.
Larraín, who turned his lens on another female global icon, Jackie Kennedy, in Venice 2016 premiere Jackie, and most recently directed Ema, will direct from a screenplay by Steven Knight.
The story will take place over three days at the Sandringham estate in the late 1990s as Diana comes to realise her marriage into the Royal...
Twitter is blowing up after it emerged that Kristen Stewart will portray Princess Diana in the hot Cannes virtual market sales project Spencer, which Pablo Larraín will direct and FilmNation is introducing to international buyers next week.
Larraín, who turned his lens on another female global icon, Jackie Kennedy, in Venice 2016 premiere Jackie, and most recently directed Ema, will direct from a screenplay by Steven Knight.
The story will take place over three days at the Sandringham estate in the late 1990s as Diana comes to realise her marriage into the Royal...
- 6/17/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Pablo Larraín to direct from Steven Knight screenplay.
Twitter is blowing up after it emerged that Kristen Stewart will portray Princess Diana in the hot Cannes virtual market sales project Spencer, which Pablo Larraín will direct and FilmNation is introducing to international buyers next week.
Larraín, who turned his lens on another female global icon, Jackie Kennedy, in Venice 2016 premiere Jackie, and most recently directed Ema, will direct from a screenplay by Steven Knight.
The story will take place over three days at the Sandringham estate in the late 1990s as Diana comes to realise her marriage into the Royal...
Twitter is blowing up after it emerged that Kristen Stewart will portray Princess Diana in the hot Cannes virtual market sales project Spencer, which Pablo Larraín will direct and FilmNation is introducing to international buyers next week.
Larraín, who turned his lens on another female global icon, Jackie Kennedy, in Venice 2016 premiere Jackie, and most recently directed Ema, will direct from a screenplay by Steven Knight.
The story will take place over three days at the Sandringham estate in the late 1990s as Diana comes to realise her marriage into the Royal...
- 6/17/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Adaptation of Ryuzo Saki’s novel Mibuncho marks the first time Nishikawa has directed a film based on another writer’s work.
Japan’s Gaga Corp has picked up international rights to Miwa Nishikawa’s Under The Open Sky and plans to launch sales on the film at the Cannes Marche du Film Online next week.
Currently in post-production, the film is based on Ryuzo Saki’s novel Mibuncho about a middle-aged man who has spent most of his life in prison and struggles to fit into society when he is finally released.
The film marks the first time that...
Japan’s Gaga Corp has picked up international rights to Miwa Nishikawa’s Under The Open Sky and plans to launch sales on the film at the Cannes Marche du Film Online next week.
Currently in post-production, the film is based on Ryuzo Saki’s novel Mibuncho about a middle-aged man who has spent most of his life in prison and struggles to fit into society when he is finally released.
The film marks the first time that...
- 6/17/2020
- by 89¦Liz Shackleton¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
For the ladies and gentlemen of the jury: we present to you… some of our favorite courtroom dramas! In a world where justice is increasingly challenged and the search for truth is of utmost consequence, we’ve amassed some of our favorite bar-based fantasies. Some are more ridiculous (“Ace Attorney”); some are emotionally overwhelming (“Verdict”); and some blend fact and fiction (“Rashomon”). In these explorations into the realm of right-and-wrong, we hope you reach the same verdict as we do: objective morality is not as simple as it seems.
1. The Attorney
The Attorney” is based on the “Burim case” of 1981, when during the authoritarian Chun Doo-hwan regime, 22 students, teachers and office workers were arrested without warrants, as North Korean sympathizers. Roo Moo-hyun, then a tax lawyer, formed a team to defend the arrested against the government. The impact of this case was so big at the time, that Roh eventually...
1. The Attorney
The Attorney” is based on the “Burim case” of 1981, when during the authoritarian Chun Doo-hwan regime, 22 students, teachers and office workers were arrested without warrants, as North Korean sympathizers. Roo Moo-hyun, then a tax lawyer, formed a team to defend the arrested against the government. The impact of this case was so big at the time, that Roh eventually...
- 6/2/2020
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
By Kyriacos Kyriacou
His mother’s funeral forces Takeru Hayakawa (Jo Odagiri) to return back to his hometown from Tokyo where he works. By the time he arrives there, he cannot avoid arguments with his father (Masato Ibu), and his older brother Minoru (Teruyuki Kagawa) quickly interferes to calm down the tension, as he always does.
Buy This Title
Minoru took over the family business, a gas station where he works along Takeru’s ex-girlfriend, Chieko (Yoko Maki), who’s now closer to Minoru. Later that night, Chieko and Takeru meet each other at Chieko’s place, and after some drinks they cannot avoid remembering the past, ending up to a one-night stand.
The next afternoon, the three of them join an excursion to Hasami River in the mountains. When they cross a swing bridge, Takeru distances himself to take photographs and becomes an eye witness of an incident. Rushing back to the bridge,...
His mother’s funeral forces Takeru Hayakawa (Jo Odagiri) to return back to his hometown from Tokyo where he works. By the time he arrives there, he cannot avoid arguments with his father (Masato Ibu), and his older brother Minoru (Teruyuki Kagawa) quickly interferes to calm down the tension, as he always does.
Buy This Title
Minoru took over the family business, a gas station where he works along Takeru’s ex-girlfriend, Chieko (Yoko Maki), who’s now closer to Minoru. Later that night, Chieko and Takeru meet each other at Chieko’s place, and after some drinks they cannot avoid remembering the past, ending up to a one-night stand.
The next afternoon, the three of them join an excursion to Hasami River in the mountains. When they cross a swing bridge, Takeru distances himself to take photographs and becomes an eye witness of an incident. Rushing back to the bridge,...
- 5/30/2020
- by Guest Writer
- AsianMoviePulse
It’s been something of a long wait for the latest release from “Dreams for Sale” director Miwa Nishikawa. Her fifth feature film, “The Long Excuse” is a considered look at grief, and continues where her last film left off, looking at the concept of self-deception and how people cope with times of crisis.
“The Long Excuse” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
Sachio (Masahiro Motoki), a writer whose career has turned more to TV celebrity than literary genius, receives a haircut from his hairdresser wife. Slightly drunk, they have a discussion where he shows his annoyance at his status and how his name is that of a baseball legend. Leaving for a trip with her best friend Yuki (Keiko Horiuchi), Natsuko’s (Eri Fukatsu) bus soon crashes on its way through the mountains, killing both, while her husband has an affair with a younger woman.
Having grown cynical,...
“The Long Excuse” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
Sachio (Masahiro Motoki), a writer whose career has turned more to TV celebrity than literary genius, receives a haircut from his hairdresser wife. Slightly drunk, they have a discussion where he shows his annoyance at his status and how his name is that of a baseball legend. Leaving for a trip with her best friend Yuki (Keiko Horiuchi), Natsuko’s (Eri Fukatsu) bus soon crashes on its way through the mountains, killing both, while her husband has an affair with a younger woman.
Having grown cynical,...
- 6/29/2019
- by Andrew Thayne
- AsianMoviePulse
Hirose Nanako was born 1987 in Kanagawa, Japan. After graduating from Musashino Art University, Hirose joined the Kore-eda Hirokazu’s production company Bun-buku in 2011. She worked in Kore-eda’s TV drama Going Home (2012), long features Like Father, Like Son (2013), Our Little Sister (2015), After The Storm (2016), and Miwa Nishikawa’s The Long Excuse (2016). His Lost Name marks her feature film debut.
On the occasion of His Lost Name screening at the 25th Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinemas, we speak with her about Koreeda, Yuya Yagira, Kaoru Kobayashi, her film, hypocrisy, patriarchy, Japanese cinema and many other topics. and also crashed the graduation moment. This, and the weeks that followed the earthquake and the consequences led me to not wanting to do any work, I was in a really strange “in-between” place. After the events, there was some kind of solidarity sentiment going on in Japan but I really felt that...
On the occasion of His Lost Name screening at the 25th Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinemas, we speak with her about Koreeda, Yuya Yagira, Kaoru Kobayashi, her film, hypocrisy, patriarchy, Japanese cinema and many other topics. and also crashed the graduation moment. This, and the weeks that followed the earthquake and the consequences led me to not wanting to do any work, I was in a really strange “in-between” place. After the events, there was some kind of solidarity sentiment going on in Japan but I really felt that...
- 2/22/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Promoted as the debut of one of Hirokazu Koreeda’s (and Miwa Nishikawa’s) assistants and in essence protégé, and featuring Yuya Yagira in the protagonist role, “His Lost Name” was a good idea, to say the least, from the beginning. The questions, however, if Hirose Nanako would be able to stray away from the clichés of the contemporary Japanese family drama and if Yuya Yagira would be a good fit for such a low-key part, were hanging over the production, also from the beginning (for me at least). The following review answers both.
“His Lost Name” screened at
Festival des Cinémas d’Asie de Vesoul
Tetsuro, a middle aged carpenter who runs a wood shop discovers an almost unconscious man on a river bank. For reasons unknown in the beginning, he decides to take the young man (who introduces himself just as Shinichi) under his protection, providing a place...
“His Lost Name” screened at
Festival des Cinémas d’Asie de Vesoul
Tetsuro, a middle aged carpenter who runs a wood shop discovers an almost unconscious man on a river bank. For reasons unknown in the beginning, he decides to take the young man (who introduces himself just as Shinichi) under his protection, providing a place...
- 2/18/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Nanako Hirose’s His Lost Name will premiere in Busan’s New Currents competition.
Japan’s Gaga Corporation has picked up international rights to His Lost Name (Yoake), the debut feature of Nanako Hirose, a protégé of Shoplifters director Hirokazu Kore-eda.
The film will receive its world premiere in New Currents, the competition section for new filmmakers at this year’s Busan International Film Festival (October 4-13).
Produced through Kore-eda’s company Bunbuku, the film stars Yuya Yagira, who won best actor at Cannes in 2004 for Kore-eda’s Nobody Knows, and veteran actor Kaoru Kobayashi (Midnight Diner).
Hirose wrote the...
Japan’s Gaga Corporation has picked up international rights to His Lost Name (Yoake), the debut feature of Nanako Hirose, a protégé of Shoplifters director Hirokazu Kore-eda.
The film will receive its world premiere in New Currents, the competition section for new filmmakers at this year’s Busan International Film Festival (October 4-13).
Produced through Kore-eda’s company Bunbuku, the film stars Yuya Yagira, who won best actor at Cannes in 2004 for Kore-eda’s Nobody Knows, and veteran actor Kaoru Kobayashi (Midnight Diner).
Hirose wrote the...
- 9/4/2018
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Nanako Hirose’s His Lost Name will premiere in Busan’s New Currents competition.
Japan’s Gaga Corporation has picked up international rights to His Lost Name (Yoake), the debut feature of Nanako Hirose, a protégé of Shoplifters director Hirokazu Kore-eda.
The film will receive its world premiere in New Currents, the competition section for new filmmakers at this year’s Busan International Film Festival (October 4-13).
Produced through Kore-eda’s company Bunbuku, the film stars Yuya Yagira, who won best actor at Cannes in 2004 for Kore-eda’s Nobody Knows, and veteran actor Kaoru Kobayashi (Midnight Diner).
Hirose wrote the...
Japan’s Gaga Corporation has picked up international rights to His Lost Name (Yoake), the debut feature of Nanako Hirose, a protégé of Shoplifters director Hirokazu Kore-eda.
The film will receive its world premiere in New Currents, the competition section for new filmmakers at this year’s Busan International Film Festival (October 4-13).
Produced through Kore-eda’s company Bunbuku, the film stars Yuya Yagira, who won best actor at Cannes in 2004 for Kore-eda’s Nobody Knows, and veteran actor Kaoru Kobayashi (Midnight Diner).
Hirose wrote the...
- 9/4/2018
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Well, not exactly the elderly, but the mature would be more accurate (over 45 if you prefer), since I felt that some performances could not be missing, despite the initial rule I have considered, of over 50. Furthermore, films like “Ikiru” and “An Autumn Afternoon” could definitely be included in this list, but I chose to list more contemporary films, with the oldest one being produced in the 80’s.
The reason for this list is the fact that I felt that the directors from Se Asia always had the ability to make the most out of actors of later age, in contrast to other regions, where the roles are mostly assigned to the young and “beautiful”, with Hollywood, evidently, holding the lion’s share. The reason behind this tendency may well be that countries like Japan and S. Korea have an aging population, but the fact remains, that quite frequently, impressive performances...
The reason for this list is the fact that I felt that the directors from Se Asia always had the ability to make the most out of actors of later age, in contrast to other regions, where the roles are mostly assigned to the young and “beautiful”, with Hollywood, evidently, holding the lion’s share. The reason behind this tendency may well be that countries like Japan and S. Korea have an aging population, but the fact remains, that quite frequently, impressive performances...
- 4/22/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. For daily updates follow us @NotebookMUBI.NEWSFrom Terry Gilliam's Facebook page comes some of the unlikeliest news in the history of cinema: "After 17 years, we have completed the shoot of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. Muchas gracias to all the team and believers." We'll believe it when we see it, but boy do we want to see it!In other long-in-making news but from the other side of the film industry, American avant-garde filmmaker Nathaniel Dorsky has revealed that he has edited old footage shot on the now-discontinued Kodachrome 16mm film stock into five new films (!), including "a document from the weeks that Stan Brakhage was dying..." Hopefully we will get to see these in the festivals and venues for alternative cinema where Dorsky's fans usually savor his work.The New York Asian Film Festival, the United States's...
- 6/7/2017
- MUBI
Veteran Japanese film executive to head up festival, which will undergo several changes in 2017.
The Tokyo Film Festival has tapped up Takeo Hisamatsu (pictured) to head up the 30th edition of the festival later this year.
Hisamatsu, who was formerly an executive managing director at Shochiku Co. and deputy general manager of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, will replace outgoing Director General Yasushi Shiina, who held the top post at the Tokyo festival for four years.
With a nearly 40 year track record in the film business, Hisamatsu is currently the president of his own company My Way Movies.
In recent years, Hisamatsu has played a role in such productions as the 2013 Japanese remake of the Clint Eastwood western Unforgiven, Miwa Nishikawa’s 2009 comedy-drama Dear Doctor and Bushi No Ichibun, Yoji Yamada’s 2006 semi-prequel to Zatoichi.
“It is my hope that through this festival, we can continue to present films from around the world in all their diversity and richness...
The Tokyo Film Festival has tapped up Takeo Hisamatsu (pictured) to head up the 30th edition of the festival later this year.
Hisamatsu, who was formerly an executive managing director at Shochiku Co. and deputy general manager of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, will replace outgoing Director General Yasushi Shiina, who held the top post at the Tokyo festival for four years.
With a nearly 40 year track record in the film business, Hisamatsu is currently the president of his own company My Way Movies.
In recent years, Hisamatsu has played a role in such productions as the 2013 Japanese remake of the Clint Eastwood western Unforgiven, Miwa Nishikawa’s 2009 comedy-drama Dear Doctor and Bushi No Ichibun, Yoji Yamada’s 2006 semi-prequel to Zatoichi.
“It is my hope that through this festival, we can continue to present films from around the world in all their diversity and richness...
- 3/10/2017
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: The Bureau Sales inks deal with fledgling French distributor Mag Distribution.
French outfit The Bureau Sales has closed deals on Daphne at this week’s European Film Market (Efm) in Berlin.
The film has sold for France to Mag Distribution, the newly-launched distribution company set up by Richard Magnien, Emmanuel Agneray and Yann Gilbert.
The acquisition is part of the company’s debut slate which also includes Radu Jude’s 2016 Locarno premiere Scarred Hearts and Miwa Nishikawa’s Long Excuses, which premiered at Tiff last year.
Daphne has also sold to China with Bilibili. Previous deals closed on the title include Altitude for the UK and Cinemien for Benelux.
The film stars Emily Beecham as a 30-something woman living in London whose life enters a downward spiral after she witnesses a violent attack.
It marks the feature debut of director Peter Mackie Burns, who won a Berlin Golden Bear in 2005 for his short film Milk. [link...
French outfit The Bureau Sales has closed deals on Daphne at this week’s European Film Market (Efm) in Berlin.
The film has sold for France to Mag Distribution, the newly-launched distribution company set up by Richard Magnien, Emmanuel Agneray and Yann Gilbert.
The acquisition is part of the company’s debut slate which also includes Radu Jude’s 2016 Locarno premiere Scarred Hearts and Miwa Nishikawa’s Long Excuses, which premiered at Tiff last year.
Daphne has also sold to China with Bilibili. Previous deals closed on the title include Altitude for the UK and Cinemien for Benelux.
The film stars Emily Beecham as a 30-something woman living in London whose life enters a downward spiral after she witnesses a violent attack.
It marks the feature debut of director Peter Mackie Burns, who won a Berlin Golden Bear in 2005 for his short film Milk. [link...
- 2/14/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
The award ceremony for the oldest Japanese cinema competition took place on February 5 at the Bunkyo Civic Center, and the list of winners is:
Best Actor: Yuya Yagira (Destruction Babies)
Best Actress: Rie Miyazawa (Her Love Boils Bath Water)
Best Supporting Actor: Pistol Takehara (The Long Excuse)
Best Supporting Actress: Hana Sugisaki (Her Love Boils Bath Water)
Best Director: Sunao Katabuchi (In This Corner of the World)
Best Director (Foreign): Clint Eastwood (Sully)
Best Screenplay: Hideaki Anno (Shin Godzilla)
Best New Actor: Nijiro Murakami (Destruction Babies, Natsumi no Hotaru)
Best New Actress: Nana Komatsu (Oboreru Knife, Destruction Babies)
Best Ten Japanese Feature Films
In This Corner of the World (Sunao Katabuchi)
Shin Godzilla (Shinji Higuchi/Hideaki Anno)
Harmonium (Koji Fukada)
Destruction Babies (Mariko Tetsuya)
Long Excuse (Miwa Nishikawa)
The Bride of Rip Van Winkle (Shunji Iwai)
Her Love Boils Bath Water (Ryota Nakano)
Creepy (Kiyoshi Kurosawa)
Over the Fence...
Best Actor: Yuya Yagira (Destruction Babies)
Best Actress: Rie Miyazawa (Her Love Boils Bath Water)
Best Supporting Actor: Pistol Takehara (The Long Excuse)
Best Supporting Actress: Hana Sugisaki (Her Love Boils Bath Water)
Best Director: Sunao Katabuchi (In This Corner of the World)
Best Director (Foreign): Clint Eastwood (Sully)
Best Screenplay: Hideaki Anno (Shin Godzilla)
Best New Actor: Nijiro Murakami (Destruction Babies, Natsumi no Hotaru)
Best New Actress: Nana Komatsu (Oboreru Knife, Destruction Babies)
Best Ten Japanese Feature Films
In This Corner of the World (Sunao Katabuchi)
Shin Godzilla (Shinji Higuchi/Hideaki Anno)
Harmonium (Koji Fukada)
Destruction Babies (Mariko Tetsuya)
Long Excuse (Miwa Nishikawa)
The Bride of Rip Van Winkle (Shunji Iwai)
Her Love Boils Bath Water (Ryota Nakano)
Creepy (Kiyoshi Kurosawa)
Over the Fence...
- 2/6/2017
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Sachio Kinugasa is a formerly successful writer who currently makes his living by appearing on talk shows. He is married to a hairstylist, Natsuko, but constantly ignores her while he is having an affair with his editor. His life turns upside down when Natsuko is killed in a bus accident, along with her friend Yuko. The two widowers, Sachio and Yoichi deal with the incident in completely different fashion. Sachio tries to “seduce” the media once more, while Yoichi is utterly devastated. However, due to Yoichi’s efforts to become friends with him, the two men start socializing, and eventually Sachio agrees to act as a babysitter for Yoichi’s two kids, Shinpei and Akari. As he starts warming up to them, Sachio realizes the mistakes he has made in his life, particularly regarding his deceased wife.
Miwa Nishikawa directs and pens (actually adapts her own book) a touching movie that starts as a drama,...
Miwa Nishikawa directs and pens (actually adapts her own book) a touching movie that starts as a drama,...
- 11/17/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
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