The family/social drama has always been a staple within the Japanese film industry with directors such as Yasujiro Ozu or Kenji Mozoguchi having shaped it during the course of their career. At the same time, while delving into family issues, these directors have taken a lesson from early works within the cinematic landscape of their culture as well as Italien Neo-realism, adding “a slice of life” to their works. In the last couple of years perhaps no other director has influenced (and to certain extent perfected) this formula than Hirokazu Koreeda. His debut feature “Maborosi” already showed the family as a mirror image of a society caught in between tradition and progress, family values and individualism. With his fourth feature “Nobody Knows”, inspired by a true case, Koreeda would not only reach international fame, but also manifest his take on the aforementioned formula which many have copied (or tried to) over the years.
- 2/23/2024
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Teruaki Shoji's debut feature is a likeable enough idea of slow-paced, small-town life on a remote island to the north of Japan. But much like its lead characters, in many ways it suffers from its own naivety and could have done with some pointers from a guiding hand.
Hoyaman is screening at Japan Society as part of the Family Portrait program
Akira) and his younger brother Shigeru (Kurosaki Kodai) live on a remote island off the coast of Ishinomaki, heavily hit by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Orphaned in the disaster, they have lived a simple life in the family home; Akira working as a fisherman, and Shigeru – with learning difficulties – happily bumbling along. Into their life steps Miharu (Kumi Kureshiro), a shamed mangaka who inexplicably arrives on the island with literal bags of money and a deadline to meet. Exploiting the brothers' naivety and lack of funds, she demands to buy their house,...
Hoyaman is screening at Japan Society as part of the Family Portrait program
Akira) and his younger brother Shigeru (Kurosaki Kodai) live on a remote island off the coast of Ishinomaki, heavily hit by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Orphaned in the disaster, they have lived a simple life in the family home; Akira working as a fisherman, and Shigeru – with learning difficulties – happily bumbling along. Into their life steps Miharu (Kumi Kureshiro), a shamed mangaka who inexplicably arrives on the island with literal bags of money and a deadline to meet. Exploiting the brothers' naivety and lack of funds, she demands to buy their house,...
- 2/23/2024
- by Andrew Thayne
- AsianMoviePulse
Road movies have been becoming more and more common in the Japanese movie industry, particularly since the “opening” of the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster, ten years after the initial events. Kazuyoshi Kumakiri also directs a film of the canon, although the aforementioned theme is just part of the narrative here, in a title that won Best Film, Best Actress and Best Screenplay in Shanghai and is headed by an impressive performance by Rinko Kikuchi.
Yoko is screening at Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme
The Oscar-nominee plays the titular, 42-year-old woman, who is single and lives in her apartment in Tokyo, having a part time job as online customer support, and seemingly never going out, exhibiting an intense sense of agoraphobia and depression. When her cousin, Shigeru, comes knocking at her door in order to inform her that her estranged for 20 years father has died, Yoko is forced to leave...
Yoko is screening at Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme
The Oscar-nominee plays the titular, 42-year-old woman, who is single and lives in her apartment in Tokyo, having a part time job as online customer support, and seemingly never going out, exhibiting an intense sense of agoraphobia and depression. When her cousin, Shigeru, comes knocking at her door in order to inform her that her estranged for 20 years father has died, Yoko is forced to leave...
- 2/10/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
By Eleo Billet
The latest film from prolific Japanese director Yoshihiro Nishimura, this self-produced work is meant to be a spin-off of his action flick, “The Ninja War of Torakage”. First shown at “2300 Plan 9” in Switzerland, then in Brazil, the movie has yet to be released in Japan.
The ninja samurai Onimanji, locked in a cursed urn for 631 years and 59 days, is resurrected back into the present day by the Kika Company. This hitman organization consists of Kika, a seemingly impassive leader, Shigeru, a goofy assassin, and their mysterious informant. Disoriented, Onimanji must adapt to modern Japan and support his new teammates. But his ultimate test is to face the rival company Nutmeg and their boss, Natsumegu, with whom his employers have a rocky history. The hero will dismantle a drug ring and find his legendary sword while fighting enemies from another temporality.
Check this interview with the director Interview...
The latest film from prolific Japanese director Yoshihiro Nishimura, this self-produced work is meant to be a spin-off of his action flick, “The Ninja War of Torakage”. First shown at “2300 Plan 9” in Switzerland, then in Brazil, the movie has yet to be released in Japan.
The ninja samurai Onimanji, locked in a cursed urn for 631 years and 59 days, is resurrected back into the present day by the Kika Company. This hitman organization consists of Kika, a seemingly impassive leader, Shigeru, a goofy assassin, and their mysterious informant. Disoriented, Onimanji must adapt to modern Japan and support his new teammates. But his ultimate test is to face the rival company Nutmeg and their boss, Natsumegu, with whom his employers have a rocky history. The hero will dismantle a drug ring and find his legendary sword while fighting enemies from another temporality.
Check this interview with the director Interview...
- 5/2/2023
- by Guest Writer
- AsianMoviePulse
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.