Exclusive: Lighthouse Media & Management has signed the multi-hyphenate Kiko Mizuhara, best known for starring in Toho’s adaptation of Norwegian Wood and the beloved manga Attack on Titan, for representation in all areas.
Based on the novel by Haruki Murakami, the former film follows Toru Watanabe (Kenichi Matsuyama), a young man in 1960s Tokyo, as he grapples with the suicide of a friend, as well as fledgling relationships with both the friend’s girlfriend and another woman. Mizuhara played the latter, Midori. After world premiering in Venice, the film was released in Japan in 2010, making its way to the U.S. two years later.
Released in two parts in 2015, Shinji Higuchi’s live-action Attack on Titan — based on the Hajime Isayama manga — is a post-apocalyptic actioner picking up with Eren (Haruma Miura) and his friends as they join a military group known as The Survey Corps, in order to take...
Based on the novel by Haruki Murakami, the former film follows Toru Watanabe (Kenichi Matsuyama), a young man in 1960s Tokyo, as he grapples with the suicide of a friend, as well as fledgling relationships with both the friend’s girlfriend and another woman. Mizuhara played the latter, Midori. After world premiering in Venice, the film was released in Japan in 2010, making its way to the U.S. two years later.
Released in two parts in 2015, Shinji Higuchi’s live-action Attack on Titan — based on the Hajime Isayama manga — is a post-apocalyptic actioner picking up with Eren (Haruma Miura) and his friends as they join a military group known as The Survey Corps, in order to take...
- 9/12/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Exhibition on Screen documentary series delves into the boundless energy of the Japanese megalopolis
Having achieved impressive box office results with its Vermeer film, the Exhibition on Screen strand makes bit of a detour from its comfort zone with its latest film: an overview of artistic takes on Japan’s megalopolis and capital city, ranging from Edo-era paintings to street performance events. Having established itself by largely focusing on the golden eras of art history, dominated by the big names of the Renaissance and the late 19th century, here the net is spread to include contemporary artists who will be (mostly) not especially familiar to non-devotees. And while the conduit for the film is the Tokyo: Art & Photography exhibition staged by Oxford’s Ashmolean museum in 2021, this is far from a standard gallery tour: the approach is near-total immersion in Tokyo itself, along with a series of interviews with...
Having achieved impressive box office results with its Vermeer film, the Exhibition on Screen strand makes bit of a detour from its comfort zone with its latest film: an overview of artistic takes on Japan’s megalopolis and capital city, ranging from Edo-era paintings to street performance events. Having established itself by largely focusing on the golden eras of art history, dominated by the big names of the Renaissance and the late 19th century, here the net is spread to include contemporary artists who will be (mostly) not especially familiar to non-devotees. And while the conduit for the film is the Tokyo: Art & Photography exhibition staged by Oxford’s Ashmolean museum in 2021, this is far from a standard gallery tour: the approach is near-total immersion in Tokyo itself, along with a series of interviews with...
- 5/23/2023
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
The friendship of two young women at the same stage of life is tested by a pregnancy. Hajime Tsuda’s debut film “Daughters” about the dynamics of female bonding is set in the miraculous city of Tokyo and was nominated at the Shanghai International Film Festival for the Asian New Talent Award in the category best film.
“Daughters” is streaming on Sakka Films
Koharu (Ayaka Miyoshi) and Ayano (Yunko Abe) are flatmates. One is event manager and the other works in fashion marketing. As Ayano gets pregnant by a common friend, who left the country, the friends have to decide whether or not to keep the baby. The major decision takes them on a journey of self-revelation.
Coming from an event marketing background, director and writer Hajime Tsuda puts its characters into the shiny world of pop-up stores and nightclubbing. Ayano and Koharu know how to enjoy life, but at...
“Daughters” is streaming on Sakka Films
Koharu (Ayaka Miyoshi) and Ayano (Yunko Abe) are flatmates. One is event manager and the other works in fashion marketing. As Ayano gets pregnant by a common friend, who left the country, the friends have to decide whether or not to keep the baby. The major decision takes them on a journey of self-revelation.
Coming from an event marketing background, director and writer Hajime Tsuda puts its characters into the shiny world of pop-up stores and nightclubbing. Ayano and Koharu know how to enjoy life, but at...
- 6/28/2022
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
Kimihiro Watanuki (Ryunosuke Kamiki) is a lonely high school student who has a special ability to see ayakashi (vengeful spirits). He is tormented by this curse and wishes to live a normal life. One day, he meets a mysterious owner of a store, Yūko Ichihara (Kou Shibasaki), a witch who grants people’s wishes. She claims to be able to help him but as payment for her services, Kimihiro must work for Yūko. He soon discovers that nothing is what it seems.
Mika Ninagawa is the director, working with a script by Erika Yoshida. Other cast members include Hokuto Matsumura, Tina Tamashiro, Daoko, and Serena Motola.
According to Anime News Network, manga artist group Clamp serialised the original xxxHOLiC manga in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine and Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine from 2003 to 2011, although it was renamed xxxHOLiC: Rō in 2009. The latest manga which launched in 2013 is xxxHOLiC: Rei. The popular...
Mika Ninagawa is the director, working with a script by Erika Yoshida. Other cast members include Hokuto Matsumura, Tina Tamashiro, Daoko, and Serena Motola.
According to Anime News Network, manga artist group Clamp serialised the original xxxHOLiC manga in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine and Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine from 2003 to 2011, although it was renamed xxxHOLiC: Rō in 2009. The latest manga which launched in 2013 is xxxHOLiC: Rei. The popular...
- 2/26/2022
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Based on the manga series “Sukutte Goran” by Noriko Otani and featuring Matsuya Onoe, one of the most popular young Japanese Kabuki actors, and Kanako Momota of Japan’s top idol “Momoiro cloverZ”, “Love, Life and Goldfish” is a rare musical coming from Japan, which also bolsters rather impressive visuals.
“Love, Life and Goldfish” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
Makoto Kashiba was once an elite bank clerk, working for a big bank in Tokyo. Due to an error however, he is demoted to a small branch in the country, a fact that has left him completely devastated. However, upon arriving in the area, he meets beautiful Yoshino Ikoma, who owns a parlor hosting a game where people try to catch as many goldfish as possible in a set amount of time, and falls in love with her. She, however, is in love with master pianist and goldfish catcher Noboru Oji,...
“Love, Life and Goldfish” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
Makoto Kashiba was once an elite bank clerk, working for a big bank in Tokyo. Due to an error however, he is demoted to a small branch in the country, a fact that has left him completely devastated. However, upon arriving in the area, he meets beautiful Yoshino Ikoma, who owns a parlor hosting a game where people try to catch as many goldfish as possible in a set amount of time, and falls in love with her. She, however, is in love with master pianist and goldfish catcher Noboru Oji,...
- 5/16/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Although “Chiwawa” was the film that truly cemented the artfulness of his slightly disorienting, filled with (neon) colors and music, sexually charged style, it is interesting to examine the path Ken Ninomiya followed to reach that level, with his previous movie providing a great opportunity.
The story revolves around Aki Oria, a young girl who came to Tokyo ten years ago to become an actress, but eventually ended up staying in a circus of sorts, having a relationship with Kaito, the young man who introduced her, and acting as the magician’s assistant, with her role being pretending to be hypnotized. Eventually, she manages to land a part after a successful audition, even becoming a star, before a scandal takes a significant toll to her reputation. Is that the reality though? And who is this clown-like figure she calls Butch that seems to always be with her?...
The story revolves around Aki Oria, a young girl who came to Tokyo ten years ago to become an actress, but eventually ended up staying in a circus of sorts, having a relationship with Kaito, the young man who introduced her, and acting as the magician’s assistant, with her role being pretending to be hypnotized. Eventually, she manages to land a part after a successful audition, even becoming a star, before a scandal takes a significant toll to her reputation. Is that the reality though? And who is this clown-like figure she calls Butch that seems to always be with her?...
- 2/18/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
From her debut, Mika Ninagawa implemented a distinct style of her own, which focused on image even more than context, bolstering intense colors and impressive set designs and costumes, to the point that almost each frame looks like a painting or a photograph, with the latter actually being her main profession. And while her later movies also entail this style, “Sakuran” remains the one where this approach finds its apogee.
Sakuran is screening at Japan Society https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fnSUUGfD0s&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=JapanSocietyNYC
Based on the homonymous manga by Moyoco Anno and with a script by Yuki Tanada, the story takes place in 18th century Edo, in the red-light district of Yoshiwara. In that district, the most prestigious category of courtesans is called “Oiran”, and a whole protocol is established just for someone to meet them. The film revolves around Kiyoha, who is...
Sakuran is screening at Japan Society https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fnSUUGfD0s&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=JapanSocietyNYC
Based on the homonymous manga by Moyoco Anno and with a script by Yuki Tanada, the story takes place in 18th century Edo, in the red-light district of Yoshiwara. In that district, the most prestigious category of courtesans is called “Oiran”, and a whole protocol is established just for someone to meet them. The film revolves around Kiyoha, who is...
- 2/9/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Over the last decade, Asian horror cinema has become a major cultural export that has breached the international markets, as more exposure than ever before has shown off the immense talent making genre films over the years. Getting a chance to see the work of many different individuals in this part of the world has highlighted the work of Yeon Sang-ho, Joko Anwar, Kimo Stamboel, Timo Tjahjanto and Yoshihiro Nishimura, to name just a few, from out of the shadows of their home countries to the world at large.
Several trends emerged throughout the decade as time rolled on. The first is the South Korean onslaught of talent that emerged where the country ascended to the top of the genre market, and international acclaim and awards followed. They proved time and again that they were developing a core of talented and creative technicians that churned out some of the most...
Several trends emerged throughout the decade as time rolled on. The first is the South Korean onslaught of talent that emerged where the country ascended to the top of the genre market, and international acclaim and awards followed. They proved time and again that they were developing a core of talented and creative technicians that churned out some of the most...
- 2/2/2021
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
The friendship of two young women at the same stage of life is tested by a pregnancy. Hajime Tsuda’s debut film “Daughters” about the dynamics of female bonding is set in the miraculous city of Tokyo and was nominated at the Shanghai International Film Festival for the Asian New Talent Award in the category best film.
“Daughters” is Screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
Koharu (Ayaka Miyoshi) and Ayano (Yunko Abe) are flatmates. One is event manager and the other works in fashion marketing. As Ayano gets pregnant by a common friend, who left the country, the friends have to decide whether or not to keep the baby. The major decision takes them on a journey of self-revelation.
Coming from an event marketing background, director and writer Hajime Tsuda puts its characters into the shiny world of pop-up stores and nightclubbing. Ayano and Koharu know how to enjoy life,...
“Daughters” is Screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
Koharu (Ayaka Miyoshi) and Ayano (Yunko Abe) are flatmates. One is event manager and the other works in fashion marketing. As Ayano gets pregnant by a common friend, who left the country, the friends have to decide whether or not to keep the baby. The major decision takes them on a journey of self-revelation.
Coming from an event marketing background, director and writer Hajime Tsuda puts its characters into the shiny world of pop-up stores and nightclubbing. Ayano and Koharu know how to enjoy life,...
- 12/2/2020
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
“Follow your own road and let people talk.”
– Limi Nara
I was browsing through Netflix’s unintuitive search engine the other day and stumbled upon “Followers”, a 2020 Netflix Japanese web series directed by Mika Ninagawa. Who I found out is a superstar photographer known for her pop art photography works by using bright colours and floral imageries. A lot of the photos hanging around in the show are hers, the wall design in Limi’s studio, the cherry blossom photos she’s discussing with her team and also in the montages that started the first episode. The Japanese contemporary pop art movement is always fascinating to me as they took a different approach and is influenced by ukiyo-e paintings, manga/anime aesthetics, ‘flat’ aesthetics to bring out vibrant colours and storytelling in just a single 2-dimensional medium. She had a very distinctive style that I paid more attention when rewatching the series,...
– Limi Nara
I was browsing through Netflix’s unintuitive search engine the other day and stumbled upon “Followers”, a 2020 Netflix Japanese web series directed by Mika Ninagawa. Who I found out is a superstar photographer known for her pop art photography works by using bright colours and floral imageries. A lot of the photos hanging around in the show are hers, the wall design in Limi’s studio, the cherry blossom photos she’s discussing with her team and also in the montages that started the first episode. The Japanese contemporary pop art movement is always fascinating to me as they took a different approach and is influenced by ukiyo-e paintings, manga/anime aesthetics, ‘flat’ aesthetics to bring out vibrant colours and storytelling in just a single 2-dimensional medium. She had a very distinctive style that I paid more attention when rewatching the series,...
- 11/11/2020
- by Abdul Rahman Shah
- AsianMoviePulse
The friendship of two young women at the same stage of life is tested by a pregnancy. Hajime Tsuda’s debut film “Daughters” about the dynamics of female bonding is set in the miraculous city of Tokyo and was nominated at the Shanghai International Film Festival for the Asian New Talent Award in the category best film.
“Daughters” is screening on Japannual Film Festival in Vienna
Koharu (Ayaka Miyoshi) and Ayano (Yunko Abe) are flatmates. One is event manager and the other works in fashion marketing. As Ayano gets pregnant by a common friend, who left the country, the friends have to decide whether or not to keep the baby. The major decision takes them on a journey of self-revelation.
Coming from an event marketing background, director and writer Hajime Tsuda puts its characters into the shiny world of pop-up stores and nightclubbing. Ayano and Koharu know how to enjoy life,...
“Daughters” is screening on Japannual Film Festival in Vienna
Koharu (Ayaka Miyoshi) and Ayano (Yunko Abe) are flatmates. One is event manager and the other works in fashion marketing. As Ayano gets pregnant by a common friend, who left the country, the friends have to decide whether or not to keep the baby. The major decision takes them on a journey of self-revelation.
Coming from an event marketing background, director and writer Hajime Tsuda puts its characters into the shiny world of pop-up stores and nightclubbing. Ayano and Koharu know how to enjoy life,...
- 10/5/2020
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
Mixing genres through a barely coherent narrative and a visual presentation that borders on the epileptic through its use of intense coloring and frequency of cuts has been one of the traits of contemporary Japanese cinema for many years. This kind of productions usually end up in seemingly silly, but also quite rich in context and entertaining films, that also seem to “loan” from other, older movies. Probably the main representative of the style is Tetsuya Nakashima, but other directors, like Mika Ninagawa, have also adopted the approach, while Obayashi’s last works also moved towards the same direction. Yoshimasha Ishibashi tries his hand in the style.
“Milocrorze: A Love Story” is screening at Fantasia Festival
The story unfolds in four different axes. The first one is set like a children’s movie and revolves around a rather colorful boy (literally) named Ovreneli Vreneligare who eventually meets Milocrorze in a...
“Milocrorze: A Love Story” is screening at Fantasia Festival
The story unfolds in four different axes. The first one is set like a children’s movie and revolves around a rather colorful boy (literally) named Ovreneli Vreneligare who eventually meets Milocrorze in a...
- 8/21/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Osamu Dazai, born Shuji Tsushima, is one of the most well known figures in Japanese literature, with several hit novels, including “The Setting Sun” and “No Longer Human”. The latter, his last work released posthumously after his suicide, is considered to be his crowning glory and stands as the second highest-selling Japanese book of all time. Dazai himself had a very eventful life, dotted with his alcohol abuse, womanising ways and several suicidal attempts, all of which have been the inspirations of many representations in various forms of written and performed art, including films, manga, anime and more. The latest to tell his story is “Helter Skelter” director Mika Ninagawa. “No Longer Human”, as its Japanese title “Osamu Dazai and the Three Women” suggests, follows the latter part of his life and the three key partners that not only influenced some of his best works but also led to his ultimate demise.
- 8/18/2020
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
The Canadian virtual festival will include more than 100 features and 200 shorts.
Canada’s Fantasia Film Festival has announced a third and final wave of feature films, as well as details of its panels, talks, tributes and special events.
This year’s virtual edition of the Montreal-based festival, running from August 20 to September 2, will include more than 100 features and more than 200 shorts.
Among the latest titles added to the line-up are Vincent Paronnaud’s Hunted, getting its world premiere, Jorge Michel Grau’s Perdida, getting its international premiere, and Kiel McNaughton’s Indigenous action-comedy The Legend Of Baron To’A, which will be the closing night film.
Canada’s Fantasia Film Festival has announced a third and final wave of feature films, as well as details of its panels, talks, tributes and special events.
This year’s virtual edition of the Montreal-based festival, running from August 20 to September 2, will include more than 100 features and more than 200 shorts.
Among the latest titles added to the line-up are Vincent Paronnaud’s Hunted, getting its world premiere, Jorge Michel Grau’s Perdida, getting its international premiere, and Kiel McNaughton’s Indigenous action-comedy The Legend Of Baron To’A, which will be the closing night film.
- 8/6/2020
- by 31¦John Hazelton¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival, which runs August 20-September 2 and is being held digitally this year due to the pandemic, has unveiled its final lineup.
The fest has also announced that revered genre filmmaker John Carpenter will be the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award and will host an online masterclass as part of its virtual events.
New pics selected include Kiel McNaughton’s Indigenous action-comedy The Legend Of Baron To’a, which closes the fest, the world premiere of Persepolis co-director Vincent Paronnaud’s Hunted, Johnnie To’s Chasing Dream, and Finn Wolfhard’s directorial debut short Night Shifts.
Further events will include talks with Mike Flanagan and Mick Garris, Simon Barrett, and Dennison Ramalho with José Mojica Marins aka Coffin Joe.
As reported previously, this year’s fest will open with Neil Marshall’s horror The Reckoning. The online screenings, which will run via Festival Scope and Shift72’s virtual screening platform,...
The fest has also announced that revered genre filmmaker John Carpenter will be the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award and will host an online masterclass as part of its virtual events.
New pics selected include Kiel McNaughton’s Indigenous action-comedy The Legend Of Baron To’a, which closes the fest, the world premiere of Persepolis co-director Vincent Paronnaud’s Hunted, Johnnie To’s Chasing Dream, and Finn Wolfhard’s directorial debut short Night Shifts.
Further events will include talks with Mike Flanagan and Mick Garris, Simon Barrett, and Dennison Ramalho with José Mojica Marins aka Coffin Joe.
As reported previously, this year’s fest will open with Neil Marshall’s horror The Reckoning. The online screenings, which will run via Festival Scope and Shift72’s virtual screening platform,...
- 8/6/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
I have not seen the two films Ninagawa directed in 2019 but her first two, “Sakuran” and “Helter Skelter” are among my favorite Japanese films of all time, both due to their concept and their intense visual style. Thus, I was quite curious to see how her style would be implemented in a TV series and Netflix’s “Followers” provided the opportunity.
The story revolves around four women. Limi Nara is a very successful photographer, who now feels the need to become a mother, despite the fact that she is single. Natsume Hyakuta has come to Tokyo in order to become an actress, but has not managed to do so at all, and she just does whatever job comes her way waiting for her big break. However, her life changes when she meets Hiraku, a YouTuber who used to be in the movie industry when he was younger, and when Limi...
The story revolves around four women. Limi Nara is a very successful photographer, who now feels the need to become a mother, despite the fact that she is single. Natsume Hyakuta has come to Tokyo in order to become an actress, but has not managed to do so at all, and she just does whatever job comes her way waiting for her big break. However, her life changes when she meets Hiraku, a YouTuber who used to be in the movie industry when he was younger, and when Limi...
- 3/11/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Netflix and Un Women have launched the “Because She Watched” collection of series, documentaries, and films created for the upcoming International Women’s Day.
The collection, which will be available all year, is curated by female creators from behind and in front of the camera, including Sophia Loren, Salma Hayek, Yalitza Aparicio, Millie Bobby Brown, Laurie Nunn, Lana Condor, Petra Costa and Ava DuVernay. It includes “Orange Is the New Black,” “Marriage Story,” “Bird Box,” “Silence of the Lambs,” “House of Cards,” “Queer Eye,” “The Crown,” “Gravity,” “Roma” and “Paris Is Burning.”
“This collaboration is about taking on the challenge of telling women’s stories and showing women in all their diversity. It’s about making visible the invisible, and proving that only by fully representing and including women on screen, behind-the-camera and in our narratives overall, society will truly flourish,” said Anita Bhatia, Un Women Deputy Executive Director.
International...
The collection, which will be available all year, is curated by female creators from behind and in front of the camera, including Sophia Loren, Salma Hayek, Yalitza Aparicio, Millie Bobby Brown, Laurie Nunn, Lana Condor, Petra Costa and Ava DuVernay. It includes “Orange Is the New Black,” “Marriage Story,” “Bird Box,” “Silence of the Lambs,” “House of Cards,” “Queer Eye,” “The Crown,” “Gravity,” “Roma” and “Paris Is Burning.”
“This collaboration is about taking on the challenge of telling women’s stories and showing women in all their diversity. It’s about making visible the invisible, and proving that only by fully representing and including women on screen, behind-the-camera and in our narratives overall, society will truly flourish,” said Anita Bhatia, Un Women Deputy Executive Director.
International...
- 3/4/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Actress Shinobu Terajima, director and photographer Mika Ninagawa, and Japanese-British artist Sputniko! will take part in Women in Motion, on Thursday next week.
The event is a special symposium hosted by the Tokyo International Film Festival and global fashion conglomerate Kering, and is the first time that the Cannes-based Women in Motion series has touched down in Japan. The talk will be facilitated by film journalist Atsuko Tatsuta
Women in Motion aims to spotlight women in the film industry and provide a platform to express their views on the representation of women – whether onscreen or within the industry in general, to talk about challenges they face, their own experiences, and the wider contribution of women.
Since its launch at Cannes in 2015, the program has sought to extend its reach into other areas of artistic production where gender inequality is present, among them photography.
Terajima made history in 2010 as the first...
The event is a special symposium hosted by the Tokyo International Film Festival and global fashion conglomerate Kering, and is the first time that the Cannes-based Women in Motion series has touched down in Japan. The talk will be facilitated by film journalist Atsuko Tatsuta
Women in Motion aims to spotlight women in the film industry and provide a platform to express their views on the representation of women – whether onscreen or within the industry in general, to talk about challenges they face, their own experiences, and the wider contribution of women.
Since its launch at Cannes in 2015, the program has sought to extend its reach into other areas of artistic production where gender inequality is present, among them photography.
Terajima made history in 2010 as the first...
- 10/23/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Japanese fashion photographer-turned-filmmaker Mika Ninagawa pulls out all the stops in her madly colored, frantically paced and urgently orchestrated faux-horror-comedy Diner.
It stars pretty young innocent Tina Tamashiro as an unwanted, not too bright girl whose talent for cooking keeps her alive when she gets a job waiting tables in a yakuza restaurant out of hell, run by a seductive but dangerous chef played by Tatsuya Fujiwara (Battle Royale, Death Note). The entertainment quotient is high and should hit the outré spot with local teen audiences and manga addicts in general. The pic is scheduled for release by Warner Bros. in Japan ...
It stars pretty young innocent Tina Tamashiro as an unwanted, not too bright girl whose talent for cooking keeps her alive when she gets a job waiting tables in a yakuza restaurant out of hell, run by a seductive but dangerous chef played by Tatsuya Fujiwara (Battle Royale, Death Note). The entertainment quotient is high and should hit the outré spot with local teen audiences and manga addicts in general. The pic is scheduled for release by Warner Bros. in Japan ...
- 6/20/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Japanese fashion photographer-turned-filmmaker Mika Ninagawa pulls out all the stops in her madly colored, frantically paced and urgently orchestrated faux-horror-comedy Diner.
It stars pretty young innocent Tina Tamashiro as an unwanted, not too bright girl whose talent for cooking keeps her alive when she gets a job waiting tables in a yakuza restaurant out of hell, run by a seductive but dangerous chef played by Tatsuya Fujiwara (Battle Royale, Death Note). The entertainment quotient is high and should hit the outré spot with local teen audiences and manga addicts in general. The pic is scheduled for release by Warner Bros. in Japan ...
It stars pretty young innocent Tina Tamashiro as an unwanted, not too bright girl whose talent for cooking keeps her alive when she gets a job waiting tables in a yakuza restaurant out of hell, run by a seductive but dangerous chef played by Tatsuya Fujiwara (Battle Royale, Death Note). The entertainment quotient is high and should hit the outré spot with local teen audiences and manga addicts in general. The pic is scheduled for release by Warner Bros. in Japan ...
- 6/20/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Mika Ninagawa’s Diner, Yuya Ishii’s Almost A Miracle and Kan Eguchi’s The Fable are all set for local release in summer.
Japan’s Nippon TV is launching sales on three new titles at Filmart led by Diner, directed by Mika Ninagawa (Helter Skelter) and starring Tatsuya Fujiwara (Death Note).
Based on a novel by Yumeaki Hirayama, the suspense thriller follows a girl who is forced to work at a members-only diner that caters exclusively to murderers. Even the chef is a former assassin, and she can’t afford to make a single wrong move. Produced by Cine Bazar Inc,...
Japan’s Nippon TV is launching sales on three new titles at Filmart led by Diner, directed by Mika Ninagawa (Helter Skelter) and starring Tatsuya Fujiwara (Death Note).
Based on a novel by Yumeaki Hirayama, the suspense thriller follows a girl who is forced to work at a members-only diner that caters exclusively to murderers. Even the chef is a former assassin, and she can’t afford to make a single wrong move. Produced by Cine Bazar Inc,...
- 3/17/2019
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Helter Skelter (2012) Review (Mika Ninagawa)STORY82%ACTING78%DIRECTING75%VISUALS90%Great castMeaningful storyExcellent cinematographyThe script is a little naive at times2015-10-0981%Overall ScoreReader Rating: (1 Vote)66%
Based on the homonymous manga by Kyoko Okazaki, that won a number of awards in Japan, Helter Skelter was one of the most successful films of 2012, grossing Us$24,231,554 and netting the 26th position at the Japanese box office.
Lilico is the top Japanese female idol: Stunning to perfection, kind, funny and generally, socially unblemished, she is a woman every teenage girl wants to be like and every man wants to conquer. Underneath that flawless facade though, a plethora of secrets and discrepancies is lurking.
Lilico is actually an insecure, shallow, malicious and overall sad individual that permanently obeys the commands of her corrupt and emotionless manager, Hiroko Tada and is totally depended upon her assistant, Michiko Hada. The latter actually arranges everything in her daily life,...
Based on the homonymous manga by Kyoko Okazaki, that won a number of awards in Japan, Helter Skelter was one of the most successful films of 2012, grossing Us$24,231,554 and netting the 26th position at the Japanese box office.
Lilico is the top Japanese female idol: Stunning to perfection, kind, funny and generally, socially unblemished, she is a woman every teenage girl wants to be like and every man wants to conquer. Underneath that flawless facade though, a plethora of secrets and discrepancies is lurking.
Lilico is actually an insecure, shallow, malicious and overall sad individual that permanently obeys the commands of her corrupt and emotionless manager, Hiroko Tada and is totally depended upon her assistant, Michiko Hada. The latter actually arranges everything in her daily life,...
- 10/9/2015
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
As of Thursday morning, August 8th 2013, the most recent edition of the Fantasia Film Festival will be a thing of the past. What began with some major, exciting announcements in late June, a press conference on July 9th and tons of public screenings from July 18th to August 7th is in the history books. With so many films shown (around 120), festival veterans and newcomers alike had a stunning choice of movies to discover, be amazed by, be provoked by or just have a great time with.
Naturally, some films will leave an indelible mark on those privileged to see them, whereas others might have left the bitter taste of disappointment in mouths. Having seen just over 30 movies myself, there are definitely a handful which proved to be exceptional examples of filmmaking and may very well offer serious challenge to other movies hoping to make an end of the year list come late December.
Naturally, some films will leave an indelible mark on those privileged to see them, whereas others might have left the bitter taste of disappointment in mouths. Having seen just over 30 movies myself, there are definitely a handful which proved to be exceptional examples of filmmaking and may very well offer serious challenge to other movies hoping to make an end of the year list come late December.
- 8/8/2013
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
Helter Skelter
Written by Arisa Kaneko and Kyoko Okazaki
Directed by Mika Ninagawa
Japan, 2012
Browse through the magazine section of a local book or newsprint media retailer and one quickly notices, as if they had never before, that a gargantuan number of magazines specialize in beauty, health and style and, for the most part, feature brilliantly glamorous photographs of celebrities on their covers. It virtually goes without saying that culture in the industrialized nations is heavily driven by interest in those people deemed worthy of celebrity status, even if some people would rather not admit to it. Occasionally a story will leak about how the obsessiveness spreads into the minds of those being objectified as well, with rumours of photoshop, too much makeup and even plastic surgery.
Director Mika Ninagawa, mostly known for her photography and music videos, delves into the world of beauty and celebrity with her sophomore effort,...
Written by Arisa Kaneko and Kyoko Okazaki
Directed by Mika Ninagawa
Japan, 2012
Browse through the magazine section of a local book or newsprint media retailer and one quickly notices, as if they had never before, that a gargantuan number of magazines specialize in beauty, health and style and, for the most part, feature brilliantly glamorous photographs of celebrities on their covers. It virtually goes without saying that culture in the industrialized nations is heavily driven by interest in those people deemed worthy of celebrity status, even if some people would rather not admit to it. Occasionally a story will leak about how the obsessiveness spreads into the minds of those being objectified as well, with rumours of photoshop, too much makeup and even plastic surgery.
Director Mika Ninagawa, mostly known for her photography and music videos, delves into the world of beauty and celebrity with her sophomore effort,...
- 7/30/2013
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival is back again with one kick-ass line-up. As always, Fantasia brings the best of genre cinema from all over the globe to some of the best audiences in the world. The Fantasia Film Festival is an experience like none other and the films are only part of the fun. It is one of those very unique festivals out there that fosters a true sense of community, as people seem bound together for their love of the weird, obscure and gruesome. At its best, the atmosphere surrounding the fest is like a far less sinister “Gooble Gobble!” moment, with industry and fandom blurred and cinephile elitism brought down to a bare minimum.
Though it might mean a bit more of a commute between screenings this year, it is a rare treat that the festival is able to (if only temporarily) return to its roots at the Imperial Theatre on Bleury.
Though it might mean a bit more of a commute between screenings this year, it is a rare treat that the festival is able to (if only temporarily) return to its roots at the Imperial Theatre on Bleury.
- 7/18/2013
- by Justine
- SoundOnSight
The full Fantasia 2013 lineup has now been revealed, and we have here the third and final wave of titles to share. Prepare to drool!
From the Press Release:
The Fantasia International Film Festival is proud to announce the rest of our 120-feature lineup that comprises our 2013 event, along with a string of additional details that mark our 17th edition as a standout. Fantasia will engulf the city of Montreal from July 18-August 6, 2013. Be sure to visit the Fantasia Film Festival website for detailed essays on every title announced here, as well as all films previously disclosed over the last weeks.
Before we get started on titles... Meet Our 2013 Juries
Main Competition For The Cheval Noir Award For Best Film
Jury President: Laura Kern (Critic, Curator, managing editor, Film Comment)
Jean-Pierre Bergeron (Actor, Director, Screenwriter)
Samuel Jamier (Co-Director of the New York Asian Film Festival, Programmer at Japan Society)
Jarod Neece (Senior Programmer and Operations Manager,...
From the Press Release:
The Fantasia International Film Festival is proud to announce the rest of our 120-feature lineup that comprises our 2013 event, along with a string of additional details that mark our 17th edition as a standout. Fantasia will engulf the city of Montreal from July 18-August 6, 2013. Be sure to visit the Fantasia Film Festival website for detailed essays on every title announced here, as well as all films previously disclosed over the last weeks.
Before we get started on titles... Meet Our 2013 Juries
Main Competition For The Cheval Noir Award For Best Film
Jury President: Laura Kern (Critic, Curator, managing editor, Film Comment)
Jean-Pierre Bergeron (Actor, Director, Screenwriter)
Samuel Jamier (Co-Director of the New York Asian Film Festival, Programmer at Japan Society)
Jarod Neece (Senior Programmer and Operations Manager,...
- 7/9/2013
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
The Fantasia Film Festival is taking place from July 18th to August 6th in Montreal and will feature over 100 films from around the world. We gave you a look at the initial lineup last month and now have an additional list of Fantasia 2013 films that will be screening, including Curse of Chucky, You’re Next, and Frankenstein’s Army:
Horror Is Child’S Play – Don Mancini’S Curse Of Chucky (World Premiere)
A rarity among genre franchises, the Child’S Play series (begun in 1988) has retained the sure-handed guidance of original screenwriter/creator Don Mancini throughout killer doll Chucky’s decades’-long reign of horror. Mancini, who will be hosting our “scar-studded” world premiere, graduated to the director’s chair with 2004’s Seed Of Chucky, after having co-written or written every entry in the series. His longevity with the project is, of course, matched by the fiendish voiceover work by...
Horror Is Child’S Play – Don Mancini’S Curse Of Chucky (World Premiere)
A rarity among genre franchises, the Child’S Play series (begun in 1988) has retained the sure-handed guidance of original screenwriter/creator Don Mancini throughout killer doll Chucky’s decades’-long reign of horror. Mancini, who will be hosting our “scar-studded” world premiere, graduated to the director’s chair with 2004’s Seed Of Chucky, after having co-written or written every entry in the series. His longevity with the project is, of course, matched by the fiendish voiceover work by...
- 7/9/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
The 2013 New York Asian Film Festival runs June 28 – July 15. If you’re lucky enough to be in the area and interested in tickets check out the official Nyaff page here, but if not feel free to follow along with us as we take a look at several of the movies playing the fest this year. As the name implies the festival presents new and select films from several countries including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Our third look at the films of Nyaff 2013 takes a detour into the dark side with death, dismemberment and some horrifically damaged psyches. Helter Skelter (Japan) Lilico (Erika Sawajiri) is on top of the world. Supermodel, actress, idol to teenage girls, and the envy and desire of women and men across Japan, she wants for nothing. But she’s also hiding something. Her look and persona are a fabrication of plastic lies, press...
- 7/8/2013
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Helter Skelter
Directed by Mika Ninagawa
Written by Kyoko Okazaki & Arisa Kaneko
Starring Erica Sawajiri, Angelababy, Kiko Mizuhara, Kaori Momi, Shinobu Terajima
Kyoko Okazaki’s manga Helter Skelter, published by Shoudensha in 2003 was an award winning satire of those particularly kaleidoscopic and ceramic coated dimensions of contemporary Japanese celebrity culture, alongside its elitist associated fashion businesses and boutiques. When second time director Mika Ninagawa was announced as the maestro of the film adaption the fans must have gone wild, as it’s difficult to imagine a more perfect marriage of clothes horse to glamorous kimono, as Ninagawa is one of the finest fashion photographers in Japan, an oriental mesh of David Bailey and Anne Leibowitz, who would be ideally empowered with her unique position within the goldfish bowl of the industry to luminously ridicule its shortcomings and distorted practices. The project was further enhanced with the casting of Erika Sawajiri...
Directed by Mika Ninagawa
Written by Kyoko Okazaki & Arisa Kaneko
Starring Erica Sawajiri, Angelababy, Kiko Mizuhara, Kaori Momi, Shinobu Terajima
Kyoko Okazaki’s manga Helter Skelter, published by Shoudensha in 2003 was an award winning satire of those particularly kaleidoscopic and ceramic coated dimensions of contemporary Japanese celebrity culture, alongside its elitist associated fashion businesses and boutiques. When second time director Mika Ninagawa was announced as the maestro of the film adaption the fans must have gone wild, as it’s difficult to imagine a more perfect marriage of clothes horse to glamorous kimono, as Ninagawa is one of the finest fashion photographers in Japan, an oriental mesh of David Bailey and Anne Leibowitz, who would be ideally empowered with her unique position within the goldfish bowl of the industry to luminously ridicule its shortcomings and distorted practices. The project was further enhanced with the casting of Erika Sawajiri...
- 10/19/2012
- by John
- SoundOnSight
★★☆☆☆ Directed by former photographer Mika Ninagawa, Helter Skelter (2012) is based on the 2003 manga of the same name and tells the story of a model whose faultless beauty and doll like form ultimately becomes her downfall. Nurtured by vanity but driven by greed and success Ninagawa constantly keeps the spotlight on LiLiCo (Erika Sawaiiri) the model and TV celebrity whose story comprises the plot of Helter Skelter.
Read more »...
Read more »...
- 10/10/2012
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
Mika Ninagawa’s live-action adaptation of Kyoko Okazaki’s Helter Skelter manga will premiere in Japan tomorrow (July 5) and according to a report from Cinema Today, lead actress Erika Sawajiri will be noticeably absent.
Sawajiri has been skipping out on all promotion and interviews for the movie since May due to “poor health”, but it wasn’t known if she’d attend the premiere until Wednesday when Avex Management confirmed that she won’t.
Helter Skelter is Sawajiri’s first film in five years, and was intended to be her big comeback to film acting after being dismissed from her previous agency, Stardust Promotion.
This is seemingly just the latest footnote in a long history of unpredictable, often difficult behavior from the actress, who earned the sarcastic moniker “Erika-sama” during her first run of controversy.
Whether it’s Japan or Hollywood, not participating in promotion is one of those cardinal...
Sawajiri has been skipping out on all promotion and interviews for the movie since May due to “poor health”, but it wasn’t known if she’d attend the premiere until Wednesday when Avex Management confirmed that she won’t.
Helter Skelter is Sawajiri’s first film in five years, and was intended to be her big comeback to film acting after being dismissed from her previous agency, Stardust Promotion.
This is seemingly just the latest footnote in a long history of unpredictable, often difficult behavior from the actress, who earned the sarcastic moniker “Erika-sama” during her first run of controversy.
Whether it’s Japan or Hollywood, not participating in promotion is one of those cardinal...
- 7/4/2012
- Nippon Cinema
Photographer turned director Mika Ninagawa turned heads around the world with her 2006 debut feature, the ultra colorful Sakuran. Ninagawa's debut immediately established her as one of Japan's brightest visual talents and fans were excited to see what she would do next. They've had to wait over five years to find out.Ninagawa returns in 2012 with Helter Skelter, a film adapted from a popular manga about a young starlet who turns to ever increasing levels of plastic surgery to maintain her impossible image. To star Ninagawa has turned to Erika Sawajiri, a young woman whose dramatic rise and fall from grace - her career crashed dramatically in 2007 - is a mirror of the her character in the film.The first full trailer for the...
- 5/14/2012
- Screen Anarchy
The new trailer for Mika Ninagawa’s Helter Skelter has been uploaded to YouTube. Jiji Press has included a short behind the scenes clip of Ninagawa coaching up her star Erika Sawajiri for one of many bonkers reaction shots.
Based on a manga by Kyoko Okazaki, the film stars Sawajiri as a beautiful model named Ririko who has reigned at the top of the entertainment world while assembling an ever-growing list of jealous rivals. However, she hides the fact that her appearance has been obtained almost entirely through radical plastic surgery procedures.
Ruriko closely guards her secret while navigating the dog-eat-dog world of the entertainment business, but she’ll soon be involved in a scandal that affects not only her industry, but society in general.
“Helter Skelter” will be released by Asmik Ace Entertainment in Japan on July 14, 2012.
A 1080p version of the trailer itself is also available on the Asmik Ace YouTube channel.
Based on a manga by Kyoko Okazaki, the film stars Sawajiri as a beautiful model named Ririko who has reigned at the top of the entertainment world while assembling an ever-growing list of jealous rivals. However, she hides the fact that her appearance has been obtained almost entirely through radical plastic surgery procedures.
Ruriko closely guards her secret while navigating the dog-eat-dog world of the entertainment business, but she’ll soon be involved in a scandal that affects not only her industry, but society in general.
“Helter Skelter” will be released by Asmik Ace Entertainment in Japan on July 14, 2012.
A 1080p version of the trailer itself is also available on the Asmik Ace YouTube channel.
- 5/11/2012
- Nippon Cinema
Photographer turned director Mika Ninagawa turned heads around the world with her 2006 debut feature, the ultra colorful Sakuran. Ninagawa's debut immediately established her as one of Japan's brightest visual talents and fans were excited to see what she would do next. They've had to wait over five years to find out.Ninagawa returns in 2012 with Helter Skelter, a film adapted from a popular manga about a young starlet who turns to ever increasing levels of plastic surgery to maintain her impossible image. To star Ninagawa has turned to Erika Sawajiri, a young woman whose dramatic rise and fall from grace - her career crashed dramatically in 2007 - is a mirror of the her character in the film.The first teaser for the film...
- 2/27/2012
- Screen Anarchy
If you were to just glance at the embedded trailer for the upcoming Japanese flick “Helter Skelter”, you’d probably think the film doesn’t have very much to offer in terms of story. However, the premise is actually quite interesting. I’m surprised someone has attempted to tackle this sort of concept before, particularly since plastic surgery is so much fun to mock these days. And don’t pretend like you don’t spend hours at TMZ looking at all those juicy before and after pics. Dear Lord, please don’t let me be the only one. Anyway, here’s what the film is all about: Top star Ririko undergoes multiple cosmetic surgies to her entire body. She’s looked upon as an icon for beauty. As the toll of her multiple surgies begins to take its toll, Ririko makes the lives of those around her miserable as she...
- 2/27/2012
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
Photographer turned director Mika Ninagawa is returning to the big screen with an adaptation of the 2003 manga Helter Skelter. Her first film, Sakuran back in 2007, found a lot of favor among the writers here at Twitch. The film also marks the return to the big screen of Jill of all trades - Erika Sawajiri. The actress, model, gravure model and pop singer fell out of favor with Japan's entertainment industry after a less than adequate appearance during a press conference at the Pusan International Film Festival in 2007. The story revolves around a woman named Ririko (Sawajiri), a top model in the entertainment industry. However, her perfect beauty has been attained entirely through plastic surgery, a secret that she cannot reveal to anyone.So after...
- 1/12/2012
- Screen Anarchy
TOKYO -- To give the next generation of Japanese filmmakers a helping hand in foreign markets, the Japan External Trade Organization has scheduled its Third Annual Show Biz Japan! Sneak Peek event for Nov. 3 at the Aero Theater in Santa Monica.
With the rest of the world showing an interest in Japanese themes -- from "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "The Last Samurai" to Naomi Kawase taking the top prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival for "The Mourning Forest" -- the movie industry here is looking to tap into new opportunities.
The event will showcase seven works, selected from 31 features and short films, with a panel of industry professionals judging the titles on the basis of which is likely to meet with the most success in the United States.
The trade organization is also promoting two movies that are being screened at the AFI Fest at the ArcLight Hollywood.
"Sakuran", directed by Mika Ninagawa, behind the camera for her first feature-length movie, has already attracted widespread acclaim.
With the rest of the world showing an interest in Japanese themes -- from "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "The Last Samurai" to Naomi Kawase taking the top prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival for "The Mourning Forest" -- the movie industry here is looking to tap into new opportunities.
The event will showcase seven works, selected from 31 features and short films, with a panel of industry professionals judging the titles on the basis of which is likely to meet with the most success in the United States.
The trade organization is also promoting two movies that are being screened at the AFI Fest at the ArcLight Hollywood.
"Sakuran", directed by Mika Ninagawa, behind the camera for her first feature-length movie, has already attracted widespread acclaim.
- 10/13/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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