The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre's 13th annual Toronto Japanese Film Festival will be held from June 6th to 20th at the Jccc's Kobayashi Hall. The festival has now grown into one of the largest film events of its kind in the world and is recognized by the Japanese film industry as a vital conduit for bringing Japanese film to the world.
TorontoJFF is programmed to reflect the rich diversity of the world 4th largest film industry and the 2024 edition will feature 24 films including the International Premieres of Kosai Sekine's mystery drama Stay Mum「かくしごと 」starring Anne Watanabe and Eiji Okuda and Toshiyuki Teruya's heartwarming Okinawa-based comedy Kanasando「かなさんどー 」. The festival is also very proud to present the World Premiere of Alice Il Shin's Landscapes Of Home 「故郷の風景」 from producer Eiko Kawabe Brown. The film is an investigation of Japanese Canadian struggle from a new perspective redefining...
TorontoJFF is programmed to reflect the rich diversity of the world 4th largest film industry and the 2024 edition will feature 24 films including the International Premieres of Kosai Sekine's mystery drama Stay Mum「かくしごと 」starring Anne Watanabe and Eiji Okuda and Toshiyuki Teruya's heartwarming Okinawa-based comedy Kanasando「かなさんどー 」. The festival is also very proud to present the World Premiere of Alice Il Shin's Landscapes Of Home 「故郷の風景」 from producer Eiko Kawabe Brown. The film is an investigation of Japanese Canadian struggle from a new perspective redefining...
- 4/26/2024
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
Eiji Uchida’s romantic drama Silent Love has been snapped up by a raft of distributors throughout Asia after a bumper opening box office weekend in Japan.
Leading Japanese indie studio Gaga Corporation has closed deals for South Korea (Media Castle), Taiwan (Big Art) and Vietnam (Nk Contents) as well as Thailand, Laos and Cambodia (Dream Express).
It follows a strong start for the film in Japan, where Gaga also handles distribution. Released on Friday (January 26), Silent Love ranked third nationwide and was the leading live-action title at the Japanese box office, which is regularly dominated by animated features.
The...
Leading Japanese indie studio Gaga Corporation has closed deals for South Korea (Media Castle), Taiwan (Big Art) and Vietnam (Nk Contents) as well as Thailand, Laos and Cambodia (Dream Express).
It follows a strong start for the film in Japan, where Gaga also handles distribution. Released on Friday (January 26), Silent Love ranked third nationwide and was the leading live-action title at the Japanese box office, which is regularly dominated by animated features.
The...
- 2/1/2024
- ScreenDaily
A number of people in Amp, including this author, have a soft spot for Kiyohiko Shibukawa, an actor who has proven a true chameleon in the way he jumps from one part to another, with equal success. Shibukawa, born July 2, 1974, actually started his career as a fashion model under the name Kee. He started acting in TV with “Twinkle”, in 1998, and he got his first role in cinema in Toshiaki Toyoda's “Pornostar”, with him actually accompanying the director in most of his later works, something that actually happened with the rest of the filmmakers he was casted by over the years. These include, among others, Takashi Miike, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, and Eiji Uchida. Currently, his credits number 160, with the majority of them being non-protagonist roles, which, still, though do not prevent him from shining quite brightly, particularly to the more “trained” eye.
Without further ado, here are 10 of his most iconic performances,...
Without further ado, here are 10 of his most iconic performances,...
- 9/19/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
A journey through the iconic and enchanting musical compositions that have graced the silver screens of Asia. From the lively streets of Bollywood to the poetic landscapes of Japanese cinema, from the poignant stories of South Korean movies to the tales of Hong Kong and Chinese films, and with a pinch from the Philippines and Thailand here 35 great songs found in Asian movies.
1. Remioromen by Konayuki 2. A Petal by Woong San 3. Chavoret's Theme by Joe Cummings & Scott Hess 4. Ruined Heart by Khavn, featuring Bing Austria & The Flippin' Soul Stompers 5. Chitchana Toki Kara by Maki Asakawa 6. これさえあれば by Tjiros 7. Nounai Shoukyo Game by Brats 8. Romanticist by The Stalin 9. High Upon High by Jackie Chan 10. Jason Bill by Texaco Leatherman The article continues on the next page...
1. Remioromen by Konayuki 2. A Petal by Woong San 3. Chavoret's Theme by Joe Cummings & Scott Hess 4. Ruined Heart by Khavn, featuring Bing Austria & The Flippin' Soul Stompers 5. Chitchana Toki Kara by Maki Asakawa 6. これさえあれば by Tjiros 7. Nounai Shoukyo Game by Brats 8. Romanticist by The Stalin 9. High Upon High by Jackie Chan 10. Jason Bill by Texaco Leatherman The article continues on the next page...
- 8/31/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Eiji Uchida and Shinzo Katayama are two of the most interesting voices active in Japanese cinema nowadays, with titles like “Lowlife Love” and “Midnight Swan” of the former and “Missing” of the latter being some of the best we have seen in recent years. Now the two combine their forces for “Life of Mariko in Kabukicho”, a movie that shares a lot of similarities with another work of Uchida, “Love and other Cults”.
“Life of Mariko in Kabukicho” is screening at Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
Mariko, a girl with a rather dramatic past, runs a small bar in Kabukicho filled with eccentric but loyal patrons which also doubles as a detective agency. Meanwhile, a missing scientist is running amok in the streets of the area, carrying with him an alien in a wooden box. The FBI are searching for both, and in their efforts to find someone who can...
“Life of Mariko in Kabukicho” is screening at Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
Mariko, a girl with a rather dramatic past, runs a small bar in Kabukicho filled with eccentric but loyal patrons which also doubles as a detective agency. Meanwhile, a missing scientist is running amok in the streets of the area, carrying with him an alien in a wooden box. The FBI are searching for both, and in their efforts to find someone who can...
- 7/8/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The actor is known for roles in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s ‘Still Walking’ and ‘After the Storm’ among others.
Japanese actor Hiroshi Abe is to be honoured with the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award at the 16th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong next month.
The actor is known internationally for roles in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Still Walking and After The Storm, and Hideki Takeuchi’s Thermæ Romæ, for which he won his first Japan Academy Film Prize in 2013.
Abe will accept the award at the awards ceremony, which is set to be held in Hong Kong on March 12. The nominations were announced last month.
Japanese actor Hiroshi Abe is to be honoured with the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award at the 16th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong next month.
The actor is known internationally for roles in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Still Walking and After The Storm, and Hideki Takeuchi’s Thermæ Romæ, for which he won his first Japan Academy Film Prize in 2013.
Abe will accept the award at the awards ceremony, which is set to be held in Hong Kong on March 12. The nominations were announced last month.
- 2/6/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Quite a weird year for Japanese cinema, since there was no definite masterpiece this year, in the fashion of “Shoplifters” for example, while short and mid-length movies seem to have been rising intently in quality, a tendency that actually extended to a number of Asian countries, including Korea. At the same time, the “issues” of Japanese cinema, particularly the lack of mid-budget films and the “Koreeda style” of filmmaking that usually results in invitations to (big) festivals continue to happen, and along with the #MeToo movement hitting the industry quite hard, resulted in a year for local productions that is by no means great. At the same time, however, the size of the industry in terms of number of productions still gave way to a number of titles to stand out, 20 of which are to be found here. This time, the main criteria, besides the always present diversity, is films...
- 12/23/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Following the success of “Midnight Swan”, which won the Japan Academy Prize for Best Picture, Uchida decided to return to one of his favorite themes, the meta “film about films” concept, continuing in the same level of quality he exhibited in titles like “Lowlife Love” and “The Naked Director”.
Shrieking in the Rain is screening at Camera Japan
The story takes place in an anonymous studio during the summer of 1988, where video production for home rentals has reached its highest peak. First-time director Hanako Hayashi is in charge, but the truth is, she actually isn’t. At all. Instead, she experiences frequent meltdowns, as in the initial scene where she has locked herself in the prop car, not talking to anybody, exhibits rather eloquently, her directions are vague, contradicting, and rather annoying for the cast and crew who get increasingly fed up with her. The fact that most of them...
Shrieking in the Rain is screening at Camera Japan
The story takes place in an anonymous studio during the summer of 1988, where video production for home rentals has reached its highest peak. First-time director Hanako Hayashi is in charge, but the truth is, she actually isn’t. At all. Instead, she experiences frequent meltdowns, as in the initial scene where she has locked herself in the prop car, not talking to anybody, exhibits rather eloquently, her directions are vague, contradicting, and rather annoying for the cast and crew who get increasingly fed up with her. The fact that most of them...
- 9/26/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
London East Asia Film Festival (Leaff) is back with a diverse programme from East and Southeast Asia, including international and UK premieres. Seven strands runs throughout the festival: Official Selection, Competition, Documentary Competition, Actor Focus: Lee Jung-Jae, Filmmaker Focus: Cinematographer Mark Lee, Classics Restored and Halloween Horror Special.
The festival screenings and events will take place at five venues around London. Following the Opening Gala at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on 19th October, Leaff will continue for 11 days at Odeon Luxe West End, the Cinema at Selfridges, Chiswick Cinema and the Cinema Museum in London! Squid Game star, Lee Jung-Jae will be attending Leaff for the Opening Gala screening of “Hunt”.
Leaff aims to champion the growing collaboration in East Asian filmmaking with a philosophy that marks a shift in the cinematic landscape of East Asia, and moves away from cultural and cinematic borders. The Festival vision is to bring a much wider,...
The festival screenings and events will take place at five venues around London. Following the Opening Gala at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on 19th October, Leaff will continue for 11 days at Odeon Luxe West End, the Cinema at Selfridges, Chiswick Cinema and the Cinema Museum in London! Squid Game star, Lee Jung-Jae will be attending Leaff for the Opening Gala screening of “Hunt”.
Leaff aims to champion the growing collaboration in East Asian filmmaking with a philosophy that marks a shift in the cinematic landscape of East Asia, and moves away from cultural and cinematic borders. The Festival vision is to bring a much wider,...
- 9/25/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Following the unexpected and quite significant success of “Midnight Swan”, which took home the Best Film and Best Actor Awards for Tsuyoshi Kusanagi by the Japanese Academy, it was expected that Eiji Uchida would find access to the highest echelons of the local movie industry, as the presence of Hiroshi Abe and the overall production quality of “Offbeat Cops” highlights.
Offbeat Cops is screening on New York Asian Film Festival
Tsukasa Naruse is a workaholic detective working on homicide cases, who, as the movie begins, is researching a group of conmen who rob old people after giving them a call posing as the police to discover if they hide money in their houses. His methods, however, are not exactly by the book, as his new partner, young Shota Sakamoto soon discovers. At the same time, his obsession with his job has led him to a divorce and a daughter, Noriko,...
Offbeat Cops is screening on New York Asian Film Festival
Tsukasa Naruse is a workaholic detective working on homicide cases, who, as the movie begins, is researching a group of conmen who rob old people after giving them a call posing as the police to discover if they hide money in their houses. His methods, however, are not exactly by the book, as his new partner, young Shota Sakamoto soon discovers. At the same time, his obsession with his job has led him to a divorce and a daughter, Noriko,...
- 7/23/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Tickets go on sale July 1 for the fully in-theater 20th anniversary edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), presented by the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center (Flc), running from July 15–28, 2022 at Flc, as well as on July 23 and July 28–31 at Asia Society, which will be co-presenting a selection of key films and a Hong Kong marathon day. International stars and acclaimed filmmakers will return in-person to grace the Nyaff red carpet at Flc, receive awards, speak at Q&a sessions, and impart wisdom during masterclasses and special talks.
Hong Kong cultural icon Josie Ho will headline Nyaff 2022 with her latest project as producer of the inspiring musical documentary Finding Bliss: Fire and Ice—The Director’s Cut, in which she travels with musicians and students from Hong Kong to Iceland for a transcendent collaboration. As a tribute to the acting superstar, the festival...
Hong Kong cultural icon Josie Ho will headline Nyaff 2022 with her latest project as producer of the inspiring musical documentary Finding Bliss: Fire and Ice—The Director’s Cut, in which she travels with musicians and students from Hong Kong to Iceland for a transcendent collaboration. As a tribute to the acting superstar, the festival...
- 7/1/2022
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
The 20th edition of the festival will return as a full in-person event in July.
The New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) has unveiled the full line-up for its 20th edition, which will include honorary awards for Japanese horror director Takashi Shimizu, acclaimed Japanese actor Hiroshi Abe and South Korean rising star Kim Hye-yoon.
This year will mark Nyaff’s fully-fledged return to the big screen, following a virtual 2020 edition and a hybrid event in 2021. More than 60 new and classic titles from Asia, including six world premieres, will be presented as in-person screenings at Film at Lincoln Center (Flc) and the Asia Society,...
The New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) has unveiled the full line-up for its 20th edition, which will include honorary awards for Japanese horror director Takashi Shimizu, acclaimed Japanese actor Hiroshi Abe and South Korean rising star Kim Hye-yoon.
This year will mark Nyaff’s fully-fledged return to the big screen, following a virtual 2020 edition and a hybrid event in 2021. More than 60 new and classic titles from Asia, including six world premieres, will be presented as in-person screenings at Film at Lincoln Center (Flc) and the Asia Society,...
- 6/30/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Translation by Lukasz Mankowski
Eiji Uchida was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1971, and returned to Japan at the age of 10. Uchida worked as a journalist for Playboy magazine, assistant director in TV under Takeshi Kitano, and scriptwriter and director for TV series, before he moved on and became a director for Japanese indie films. His most renowned works include “Greatful Dead”, “Lowlife Love”, “Love and Other Cults”, while he was also involved in the direction of the recent Netflix hit, “The Naked Director”. “Midnight Swan” which screened in 2020, won Japanese Academy Awards for Best Film and Best Actor.
On the occasion of “Midnight Swan” screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival, we speak with him about the Japanese Academy awards, the story behind the movie, ballet and transgender people, parenting, and other topics.
“Midnight Swan” won Japanese Academy awards for Best Film and Best Actor. How do you think...
Eiji Uchida was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1971, and returned to Japan at the age of 10. Uchida worked as a journalist for Playboy magazine, assistant director in TV under Takeshi Kitano, and scriptwriter and director for TV series, before he moved on and became a director for Japanese indie films. His most renowned works include “Greatful Dead”, “Lowlife Love”, “Love and Other Cults”, while he was also involved in the direction of the recent Netflix hit, “The Naked Director”. “Midnight Swan” which screened in 2020, won Japanese Academy Awards for Best Film and Best Actor.
On the occasion of “Midnight Swan” screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival, we speak with him about the Japanese Academy awards, the story behind the movie, ballet and transgender people, parenting, and other topics.
“Midnight Swan” won Japanese Academy awards for Best Film and Best Actor. How do you think...
- 6/17/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Winner for Best Film and Best Actor awards from the Japanese Academy, as much as the Audience Award from Udine in 2021, “Midnight Swan” is a film that essentially establishes Eiji Uchida on the top level of local cinema, and an excellent drama that works on a number of levels.
“Midnight Swan” is screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival
Nagisa is a transgender on the process of a sex change operation, who grew up in Hiroshima as a man but now lives in Shinjuku as a woman, working in a night club as a dancer. Due to an accident, she begins to live with middle school student Ichika, a distant relative, who has been suffering from neglect from her alcoholic mother Saori for years, to the point that she barely utters two words to anyone. The cohabitation is as difficult as possible, with Nagisa making no effort to hide that she...
“Midnight Swan” is screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival
Nagisa is a transgender on the process of a sex change operation, who grew up in Hiroshima as a man but now lives in Shinjuku as a woman, working in a night club as a dancer. Due to an accident, she begins to live with middle school student Ichika, a distant relative, who has been suffering from neglect from her alcoholic mother Saori for years, to the point that she barely utters two words to anyone. The cohabitation is as difficult as possible, with Nagisa making no effort to hide that she...
- 6/13/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Winner for Best Film and Best Actor awards from the Japanese Academy, as much as the Audience Award from Udine in 2021, “Midnight Swan” is a film that essentially establishes Eiji Uchida on the top level of local cinema, and an excellent drama that works on a number of levels.
Nagisa is a transgender on the process of a sex change operation, who grew up in Hiroshima as a man but now lives in Shinjuku as a woman, working in a night club as a dancer. Due to an accident, she begins to live with middle school student Ichika, a distant relative, who has been suffering from neglect from her alcoholic mother Saori for years, to the point that she barely utters two words to anyone. The cohabitation is as difficult as possible, with Nagisa making no effort to hide that she does not really want the girl there, who also...
Nagisa is a transgender on the process of a sex change operation, who grew up in Hiroshima as a man but now lives in Shinjuku as a woman, working in a night club as a dancer. Due to an accident, she begins to live with middle school student Ichika, a distant relative, who has been suffering from neglect from her alcoholic mother Saori for years, to the point that she barely utters two words to anyone. The cohabitation is as difficult as possible, with Nagisa making no effort to hide that she does not really want the girl there, who also...
- 5/16/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Ichi (Alan Abe) and Hachi (Mizuki Itagaki) were once high school baseball players who were expected to turn pro. Playing at Kōshien was all but guaranteed and they had a bright future ahead. However, due to a scandal within the baseball club, their participation was cancelled and their destitute life began.
Ten years later, both are involved with drugs and their shenanigans accidentally land them in trouble with the local yakuza. Entangled in a bloody conflict, Ichi and Hachi are now desperate. They remember the mound on that day when Kōshien was decided ten years ago. The bases loaded with two outs! They are forced into a situation where there is no end…
This youth sports drama is directed by Hirokazu Fujisawa (Lady to Lady) based on his screenplay co-written with Eiji Uchida (Midnight Swan).
Theatrical release and roadshow in Japan: March 25, 2022.
Ten years later, both are involved with drugs and their shenanigans accidentally land them in trouble with the local yakuza. Entangled in a bloody conflict, Ichi and Hachi are now desperate. They remember the mound on that day when Kōshien was decided ten years ago. The bases loaded with two outs! They are forced into a situation where there is no end…
This youth sports drama is directed by Hirokazu Fujisawa (Lady to Lady) based on his screenplay co-written with Eiji Uchida (Midnight Swan).
Theatrical release and roadshow in Japan: March 25, 2022.
- 1/30/2022
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Tom Mes, in his book “Iron Man: The Cinema of Shinya Tsukamoto” writes: The international breakthrough of Tsukamoto and Tetsuo came at a time when Japanese cinema seemed all but forgotten by foreign minds. The monolithic Akira Kurosawa and a few survivors of the generation that had come to prominence in the 1960s – the filmmakers who made up the Japanese New Wave, most notably Nagisa Osima and Shohei Imamura – still gained praise during the ’80s, but it can be argued that the 1983 Palme d’Or for Imamura’s The Ballad of Narayama in Cannes had less impact than the award for Best Film from Tetsuo at the relatively modest FantaFestival in Rome. The reason is that not only was Tetsuo a film by a director from a new generation, it also brought a new generation of foreign fans to Japanese film. Rather than being built on the remnants of the past,...
- 3/26/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The cult film VOD platform Spamflix has launched a new worldwide app, available now for mobile and smart TV compatible. Via the app users can browse, rent and stream from the full catalog, which includes a wide range of feature and short films from around the globe.
Visit spamflix.com/app.do for more information, or available directly on Google Play and the Apple Store.
Spamflix was founded in 2018 by Markus Duffner, a project manager at the Locarno Film Festival and Julia Duarte, former producer of São Paulo International Film Festival. Called ‘Netflix for Cult Film Fans’ by Geek Spin the bulk of Spamflix’s library consists of hard to find and lesser-seen genre titles, many of which garnered acclaim on the festival circuit only to land without significant distribution.
A treasure trove for cult film enthusiasts that has a specialty focus on black comedy and adult animation, the new...
Visit spamflix.com/app.do for more information, or available directly on Google Play and the Apple Store.
Spamflix was founded in 2018 by Markus Duffner, a project manager at the Locarno Film Festival and Julia Duarte, former producer of São Paulo International Film Festival. Called ‘Netflix for Cult Film Fans’ by Geek Spin the bulk of Spamflix’s library consists of hard to find and lesser-seen genre titles, many of which garnered acclaim on the festival circuit only to land without significant distribution.
A treasure trove for cult film enthusiasts that has a specialty focus on black comedy and adult animation, the new...
- 5/14/2020
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
With the majority of filmfans and cinephiles forced to spend time at home, there are still ways to view Asian cinema in your region while still maintaining a safe distance to the world outside. Among other things Filmdoo offers a great selection of popular and lesser know Asian titles. Considering the aforementioned global situation, Filmdoo has offered free codes for those interested in their catalogue. Check out their homepage for further information and access their library.
To give you some suggestions, here is a selection of 15 titles you can enjoy on Filmdoo, all of which have been reviewed on Amp.
1. Bleak Night by Yoon Sung-hyun
““Bleak Night” is an intimate drama about friendship, about personal tragedy and the pain of growing up. It is a film not defined by the cliches of so many depictions of teenagers, but rather a story showing patience and empathy with its characters and their flaws,...
To give you some suggestions, here is a selection of 15 titles you can enjoy on Filmdoo, all of which have been reviewed on Amp.
1. Bleak Night by Yoon Sung-hyun
““Bleak Night” is an intimate drama about friendship, about personal tragedy and the pain of growing up. It is a film not defined by the cliches of so many depictions of teenagers, but rather a story showing patience and empathy with its characters and their flaws,...
- 3/29/2020
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
By Adam Torel
Third Window Films is quite different to many distributors in the fact that it’s not just incredibly niche, but also run totally ‘in-house’. I started Third Window in 2005, so it’s been 15 years now, and the goal of the label was to release many minor Asian films which probably wouldn’t have gotten released otherwise. As a massive fan of Asian cinema, I wanted to really focus on titles which had never been released before in the West, instead of working like a normal distributor would do in focusing mainly on easily ‘sellable’ and well-known titles. In order to do this, Third Window has been run incredibly tight, with no office, no real staff and keeping as much in house (literally run out of my home) as possible. This means handling as much of the process: from buying rights, making materials, subtitling, filming and editing extras,...
Third Window Films is quite different to many distributors in the fact that it’s not just incredibly niche, but also run totally ‘in-house’. I started Third Window in 2005, so it’s been 15 years now, and the goal of the label was to release many minor Asian films which probably wouldn’t have gotten released otherwise. As a massive fan of Asian cinema, I wanted to really focus on titles which had never been released before in the West, instead of working like a normal distributor would do in focusing mainly on easily ‘sellable’ and well-known titles. In order to do this, Third Window has been run incredibly tight, with no office, no real staff and keeping as much in house (literally run out of my home) as possible. This means handling as much of the process: from buying rights, making materials, subtitling, filming and editing extras,...
- 1/10/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
“Everybody in this industry is crafty, filthy and bitter.“
Through most of our lives, especially during our teenage years, we often hear we should follow our dreams and our passions in life. It is true that the metaphorical doors of opportunity are still wide open for us in these years so many people feel a certain obligation to tell us to not be lazy, not waste our time and use the window of time we have left. Generally speaking, we all might feel the same way and we might even catch ourselves using the same words in front of a young person, but then perhaps the motivation for this action may stem from our own disappointments in life, or the complete opposite. Whatever the case may be, following one’s passion remains one of the strongest ideals in our lives.
However, actually following through with this statement requires steps which...
Through most of our lives, especially during our teenage years, we often hear we should follow our dreams and our passions in life. It is true that the metaphorical doors of opportunity are still wide open for us in these years so many people feel a certain obligation to tell us to not be lazy, not waste our time and use the window of time we have left. Generally speaking, we all might feel the same way and we might even catch ourselves using the same words in front of a young person, but then perhaps the motivation for this action may stem from our own disappointments in life, or the complete opposite. Whatever the case may be, following one’s passion remains one of the strongest ideals in our lives.
However, actually following through with this statement requires steps which...
- 8/19/2019
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The Japanese film industry loves making films about the process of filmmaking. From “The Woodsman and the Rain”, the smash hit “One Cut of the Dead”, Sion Sono’s Roman Porno entry “Antiporno” to even director Eiji Uchida’s own “Lowlife Love” and more, there have been several films about filmmakers and filming from there. The last two of the aforementioned films particularly hold strong relevance for “The Naked Director”, the new Netflix series which has been co-written by Uchida and tells the real-life story of Toru Muranishi, one of Japan’s most prolific, innovative and famous pornographers and the rise of the porn industry in the country.
As an English Encyclopaedia selling door-to-door salesman in Hokkaido, Japan, Toru Muranishi isn’t doing too well. Just as he’s beginning to gain confidence and getting the ropes of marketing, the company he works for folds and a crestfallen Muranishi then...
As an English Encyclopaedia selling door-to-door salesman in Hokkaido, Japan, Toru Muranishi isn’t doing too well. Just as he’s beginning to gain confidence and getting the ropes of marketing, the company he works for folds and a crestfallen Muranishi then...
- 8/13/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Hanae Kan was born on November 7, 1990 in Mishima City, Shizuoka, Japan as Han Yong-hye, as her father is Korean. She made her debut when she was just 11 years old, in Seijun Suzuki’s “Pistol Opera”, and in 2004 she played in Hirokazu Koreeda’s “Nobody Knows”. Her career continued until today, with some her latest roles including “West North West,”Yamato (California)” and “Love And Other Cults” .
On the occasion of the latter screening at Fantasia International Film Festival, we speak with her about her latest films, her career, the Japanese audience, her double ethnicity, and many other topics.
This year has been quite good for you, with roles (apart from “Love and other Cults”) in “Inumukoiri” and “Yamato (California)”. Can you tell us a bit about these experiences?
I’ve been working with director Katashima of “Inumukoiri” for a long time. Actually, he was the producer of my debut film...
On the occasion of the latter screening at Fantasia International Film Festival, we speak with her about her latest films, her career, the Japanese audience, her double ethnicity, and many other topics.
This year has been quite good for you, with roles (apart from “Love and other Cults”) in “Inumukoiri” and “Yamato (California)”. Can you tell us a bit about these experiences?
I’ve been working with director Katashima of “Inumukoiri” for a long time. Actually, he was the producer of my debut film...
- 7/16/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Eiji Uchida has come to be a well-known name in modern Japanese cinema, with films that take a look at the seedier side of modern life. “Love and Other Cults” continues his engaging blend of comedy and drama from his previous film “Lowlife Love” (2015), with an unconventional love story involving two high-school students.
Buy This Title
The film begins with a hilarious sequence of three high-school boys in a public toilet contemplating calling the number on the wall that purports to be a woman offering sex. After dialing the number, the trio are confronted by a prostitute, along with a her pimp, neither being significantly older than the three awkward teens who called the number. After being humiliated by a further group of gang members, who are revealed as the ones running this scam, we are told that the woman’s name is Ai Shima. The voiceover narration then helpfully...
Buy This Title
The film begins with a hilarious sequence of three high-school boys in a public toilet contemplating calling the number on the wall that purports to be a woman offering sex. After dialing the number, the trio are confronted by a prostitute, along with a her pimp, neither being significantly older than the three awkward teens who called the number. After being humiliated by a further group of gang members, who are revealed as the ones running this scam, we are told that the woman’s name is Ai Shima. The voiceover narration then helpfully...
- 6/29/2019
- by Matthew Cooper
- AsianMoviePulse
It’s that time of the year and here at Asian Film Vault, we decided to have our first ever poll regarding the best films of the year. The votes were cast and counted and we came up with 18 films from 2017, that we consider the best of the year. And although Japan has the lion’s share in the list, we feel that we covered a large portion of Asia with our picks, since the titles include films from India, Thailand, Hong Kong, S. Korea, and Indonesia
Without further ado, here is the countdown.
(By clicking on the title of each movie, you can read the whole article)
Jagga Jasoos
As a musical with younger target audiences in mind, “Jagga Jasoos” lives up to the expectations and ends up as a visual treat through a brilliant performance of the protagonist. (Sankha Ray)
Kodoku Meatball Machine (Yoshihiro Nishimura,...
Without further ado, here is the countdown.
(By clicking on the title of each movie, you can read the whole article)
Jagga Jasoos
As a musical with younger target audiences in mind, “Jagga Jasoos” lives up to the expectations and ends up as a visual treat through a brilliant performance of the protagonist. (Sankha Ray)
Kodoku Meatball Machine (Yoshihiro Nishimura,...
- 12/8/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Kanji Furutachi is best known for playing Toshio, one of the leading roles in “Harmonium”, directed by Koji Fukada, which won the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
He has also appeared in numerous plays in Japan, including the title role for the play “The Treasured Son”, which won Japan’s most prestigious drama award: The Kishida Drama Award.
His many film appearances include “Hospitalité” and “My Back Page” (for which he won the Best Supporting Actor Award from the Takasaki Film Festival and the Best New Comer Award at the Tama Cinema Forum). He studied acting with Uta Hagen, Carol Rosenfeld, and many others at Hb Studio in New York City.
You also act on theater. What are the differences between acting in theater and acting in movies? Which one do you prefer doing? Why do you feel the need to act...
He has also appeared in numerous plays in Japan, including the title role for the play “The Treasured Son”, which won Japan’s most prestigious drama award: The Kishida Drama Award.
His many film appearances include “Hospitalité” and “My Back Page” (for which he won the Best Supporting Actor Award from the Takasaki Film Festival and the Best New Comer Award at the Tama Cinema Forum). He studied acting with Uta Hagen, Carol Rosenfeld, and many others at Hb Studio in New York City.
You also act on theater. What are the differences between acting in theater and acting in movies? Which one do you prefer doing? Why do you feel the need to act...
- 7/19/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The collaboration between Eiji Uchida and Third Window Films has proved quite fruitful, being in the process of even creating a specific style, which begun with “Lowlife Love” and continues with “Love and Other Cults”.
Ai is a girl who seems to get no break in her miserable life. Her father is nowhere to be found, and her mother is a religion fanatic, although not with a specific one, but with the concept of joining different cults constantly. Not interested in her daughter even a bit, she unburdens her into the hands of her latest cult. The girl manages to find some semblance of peace in that community, but this sentiment is shattered when the leader of the cult, a westerner named Lavi is arrested and the cult disbanded. Ai finds herself in school, where she does seem to fit a bit, although not for long Her odyssey to find someone to love her,...
Ai is a girl who seems to get no break in her miserable life. Her father is nowhere to be found, and her mother is a religion fanatic, although not with a specific one, but with the concept of joining different cults constantly. Not interested in her daughter even a bit, she unburdens her into the hands of her latest cult. The girl manages to find some semblance of peace in that community, but this sentiment is shattered when the leader of the cult, a westerner named Lavi is arrested and the cult disbanded. Ai finds herself in school, where she does seem to fit a bit, although not for long Her odyssey to find someone to love her,...
- 5/5/2017
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Independent Japanese writer-director Eiji Uchida returns to the territory of wannabe gangsters, moderate losers and unsavory behavior he explored in Lowlife Love (which put Japan’s low rent straight-to-dvd and porn industries in the spotlight) and Greatful Dead (with its neglected, searching central character) in Love and Other Cults, a similarly dark comedy that somehow marries the core ideas and themes of the two. The film’s polished production and general accessibility will guarantee indie-level success at home in Japan, where audiences may be curious about Uchida’s follow-up to the controversial Lowlife. Elsewhere, art house distributors and festivals that found success with...
- 3/14/2017
- by Elizabeth Kerr
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Japanese drama recently premiered at Osaka Asian Film Festival.
Japan’s Stardust Pictures (Sdp) Inc. has sold Parks, directed by Natsuki Seta(A Liar And A Broken Girl, A Letter From Elsewhere), to mainland China (Time-in-Portrait Entertainment), Hong Kong (Sundream Motion Pictures), Taiwan (Sky Digi Entertainment), South Korea (Entermode), Thailand (Starlings) and worldwide in-flight (Encore Inflight Entertainment).
Set in and around Tokyo’s Inokashira Park, the drama stars Ai Hashimoto (Little Forest), Mei Nagano (Peach Girl) and Shota Sometani (Himizu) in a story about a girl who sets out to find a woman mentioned in a love letter written by her late father. Clues lead her to two other millennial friends and a damaged tape of a love song which they try to recreate.
Entermode CEO Bruce D. Lee says Parks is “a good and heartwarming movie, like a Japanese version of La La Land”, while Encore CEO Jovita Toh says, “Parks is a beautiful...
Japan’s Stardust Pictures (Sdp) Inc. has sold Parks, directed by Natsuki Seta(A Liar And A Broken Girl, A Letter From Elsewhere), to mainland China (Time-in-Portrait Entertainment), Hong Kong (Sundream Motion Pictures), Taiwan (Sky Digi Entertainment), South Korea (Entermode), Thailand (Starlings) and worldwide in-flight (Encore Inflight Entertainment).
Set in and around Tokyo’s Inokashira Park, the drama stars Ai Hashimoto (Little Forest), Mei Nagano (Peach Girl) and Shota Sometani (Himizu) in a story about a girl who sets out to find a woman mentioned in a love letter written by her late father. Clues lead her to two other millennial friends and a damaged tape of a love song which they try to recreate.
Entermode CEO Bruce D. Lee says Parks is “a good and heartwarming movie, like a Japanese version of La La Land”, while Encore CEO Jovita Toh says, “Parks is a beautiful...
- 3/12/2017
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Stars: Kiyohiko Shibukawa, Maya Okano, Shugo Oshinari | Written and Directed by Eiji Uchida
When you decide to delve into Asian cinema, it is like a treasure trove sometimes. Sure, there are many genres such as horror that dominate sometimes, but there are also many more waiting to be discovered. One such treasure is Lowlife Love aka Gesu no ai, which is a must for fans of the filmmaking process.
Tetsuo (Kiyohiko Shibukawa) is a lowlife film director living off the fame of his one hit indie movie he made years ago. Now thirty-nine he refuses to move from the indie scene as it would go against his ‘artistic integrity’. Abusing his actors and fast losing their trust, it is not until Minami (Maya Okano) arrives at his film school that his true love of film is reignited. When he loses Minami to the corrupt world of filmmaking though, his world begins to unravel.
When you decide to delve into Asian cinema, it is like a treasure trove sometimes. Sure, there are many genres such as horror that dominate sometimes, but there are also many more waiting to be discovered. One such treasure is Lowlife Love aka Gesu no ai, which is a must for fans of the filmmaking process.
Tetsuo (Kiyohiko Shibukawa) is a lowlife film director living off the fame of his one hit indie movie he made years ago. Now thirty-nine he refuses to move from the indie scene as it would go against his ‘artistic integrity’. Abusing his actors and fast losing their trust, it is not until Minami (Maya Okano) arrives at his film school that his true love of film is reignited. When he loses Minami to the corrupt world of filmmaking though, his world begins to unravel.
- 11/22/2016
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
★★★★☆ Acclaimed director of 2013's The Greatful Dead, Eiji Uchida returns with Lowlife Life, an often hilarious, charming and fitfully uncomfortable look into the world of low-budget Japanese filmmaking. Indie director Tetsuo (Kyohiko Shibukawa) is an initially charming Linklater-esque slacker, drowsily pawing at his girlfriend and making silly faces as he smokes cigarettes to the scratchy drawl of singer Taeko Ito. The film's charm is only heightened as he auditions parts for his new film, impressed by aspiring actress Minami's (Maya Okano) unhinged rage at stepping in imaginary dog faeces.
- 11/21/2016
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
Confirmed titles include Måns Månsson’s Yarden [pictured] and Eiji Uchida’s Lowlife Love.
Film Fest Gent’s 43rd edition (Oct 11-21) is planning a focus on Nordic cinema and a spotlight on Japan.
Titles showing in the Nordic Focus include The Yard (Yarden) by Måns Månsson from Sweden, the Swedish/Norwegian/Danish drama A Serious Game by Pernilla August and Norwegian children’s film Solan & Ludwig: The Big Cheese Race by Rasmus A. Sivertsen.
“By dedicating our film programme to Nordic Cinema, we aim to show that strong, intelligent and moving drama from the countries of the Northern Lights is not restricted to crime literature and popular TV series, but can also be found in the present-day film production of the area,” said festival artistic director Patrick Duynslaegher.
“With movies that are not as heavy and dark as one might expect, filled with deadpan humor, psychological finesse, tantalizing sensuality, weird comedy and a heavy portion of social...
Film Fest Gent’s 43rd edition (Oct 11-21) is planning a focus on Nordic cinema and a spotlight on Japan.
Titles showing in the Nordic Focus include The Yard (Yarden) by Måns Månsson from Sweden, the Swedish/Norwegian/Danish drama A Serious Game by Pernilla August and Norwegian children’s film Solan & Ludwig: The Big Cheese Race by Rasmus A. Sivertsen.
“By dedicating our film programme to Nordic Cinema, we aim to show that strong, intelligent and moving drama from the countries of the Northern Lights is not restricted to crime literature and popular TV series, but can also be found in the present-day film production of the area,” said festival artistic director Patrick Duynslaegher.
“With movies that are not as heavy and dark as one might expect, filled with deadpan humor, psychological finesse, tantalizing sensuality, weird comedy and a heavy portion of social...
- 6/29/2016
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Directors & Producers Are All Lowlifes! Or so says director Eiji Uchida in the tagline of his latest black comedy, Lowlife Love. We've been big fans of the director here at Twitch since his deliciously dark comedy Greatful Dead broke out of Japan to prove a popular draw at many international film festivals last year. Having covered the campaign to get his latest off the ground back in March, we're delighted to present the trailer for the finished film on the day it's announced to play at next month's Tokyo International Film Festival. In Lowlife Love, take a walk on the wild side of Japan's indie film making scene with good-for-nothing scum-bag Tetsuo as he attempts to stop thinking about sex for long enough to put...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 9/29/2015
- Screen Anarchy
Stars: Kumi Takiuchi, Takashi Sasano, Aira, Itsuji Itao, Kkobbi Kim, Hôka Kinoshita, Kenji Matsuda, Wakana Sakai, Taro Yabe | Written by Eiji Uchida, Etsuo Hiratani | Directed by Eiji Uchida
In films that have a twisted edge, if a child grows up dysfunctional you know that somebody is likely to die. Greatful Dead is a twisted tale that brings slapstick humour to Japanese horror, looking at what happens when a child grows up without getting the attention she craves.
Nami (Kumi Takiuchi) is anything but ordinary, even though her sister would like her to be. As a child all she wanted was the attention of her parents, but with a mother who travelled the world to save needy children (though not her own) and a father who commits suicide soon after the mothers departure all Nami gets is a fortune to live on and peaceful solitude. Obsessing over lonely people she names...
In films that have a twisted edge, if a child grows up dysfunctional you know that somebody is likely to die. Greatful Dead is a twisted tale that brings slapstick humour to Japanese horror, looking at what happens when a child grows up without getting the attention she craves.
Nami (Kumi Takiuchi) is anything but ordinary, even though her sister would like her to be. As a child all she wanted was the attention of her parents, but with a mother who travelled the world to save needy children (though not her own) and a father who commits suicide soon after the mothers departure all Nami gets is a fortune to live on and peaceful solitude. Obsessing over lonely people she names...
- 1/28/2015
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
★★★☆☆ Eiji Uchida's Greatful Dead (2013) combines several genres with an extremely compelling outcome. Black humour and mild farce combine to provide the tone and make it more than just an intriguing watch. Nami (Kumi Takiuchi) has been disillusioned with the idea of family from a young age; after her mother left to help children in a far flung land her father collapsed in on himself, confiding only in a mysterious woman in red and shutting out his two daughters. Nami's sister attempts ‘a normal life’ but Nami is left to find comfort in the welcoming bosom of a television shopping channel. When her father dies Nami is able to indulge in her hobby of finding and observing other similarly solitary figures. She becomes fixated on one elderly man, Mr Shiomi (Takashi Sasano), with unexpected consequences.
- 1/26/2015
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
(Screened at the 2013 Raindance Film Festival) “Greatful Dead” is an oddly spelled title for an odd, though very entertaining piece of cinematic madness. Written and directed by Eiji Uchida (“Sisterhood”, “The Last Days of the World”), the film is a far-out mix of dark comedy, gore, social commentary and loneliness, with upcoming actress Kumi Takiuchi (“The Ravine of Goodbye”) in the lead as a young woman whose initially harmless people-watching turns nasty. Off-kilter in a fashion reminiscent of Sono Sion, the film has considerable cult appeal, and is currently going down well with fans at a variety of international festivals, having played at Fantastic Fest and Raindance in London. Kumi Takiuchi plays Nami, the film opening with her as a young girl, struggling to get attention from her mother, who’s sadly obsessed with trying to raise money for poverty-stricken children overseas. After she leaves, her father falls into depression,...
- 9/30/2013
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
With only weeks left before Fantastic Fest gets underway in Austin, the final wave of films has been announced. Check out the goodies below, and visit FantasticFest.com for the complete schedule and to get your tickets.
All The Boys Love Mandy Lane (USA, 2006)
Special Screening
Director - Jonathon Levine, 98 min
All the boys love Mandy Lane and all the girls want to be her. There's at least one person, though, that wants Mandy and her friends dead.
Chanthaly (Lao People's Democratic Republic, 2013)
North American Premiere
Director - Mattie Do, 98 min
A sickly young woman experiences visions of her dead mother. Is the apparition simply a side effect of her daily medication, or her mother actually reaching out to her from beyond the grave?
Confession Of Murder (Korea, 2012)
U.S. Premiere
Director - Jeong Byeong-Gil, 119 min
After the statute of limitations expires on a series of high profile murders, a...
- 9/6/2013
- by Alyse Wax
- FEARnet
In 2 weeks, you will be seeing tons of content from one of the best genre film festivals in North America, Fantastic Fest. Held in Austin, TX, Fantastic Fest is a orgasmic wave of sci-fi, horror, crime and foreign film. We have been lucky enough to be attending since 2010 and this year, I plan on giving you the most coverage I can. There will be daily video recorded and published on the site in addition to interviews and reviews. Today, the final wave and closing night film was announced. Every year, Fantastic Fest tends to have side events/parties that tie into the Opening & Closing Night films and given the content, I can’t wait to see what they come up with. The closing night film is the North American Premiere of Terry Gilliam’s The Zero Theorem.
Without further ado, here is the official press release with a full list of films that were added.
Without further ado, here is the official press release with a full list of films that were added.
- 9/5/2013
- by Andy Triefenbach
- Destroy the Brain
Fantastic Fest has sent out a press release announcing their closing night film and the final wave of programming that includes All The Boys Love Mandy Lane, We Are What We Are, Rigor Mortis, and more:
Austin, TX-Thursday, September 5, 2013- Fantastic Fest is excited to announce its final wave of film programming, including Terry Gilliam’s unique dystopian vision of the future, The Zero Theorem, as the closing night film on September 26th. The ninth edition of Fantastic Fest, will take place September 19 – 26 at Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline in Austin, Texas. See below for descriptions of twenty-five new World, North American & Us premiere films at this year’s festival.
All The Boys Love Mandy Lane (USA, 2006)
Special Screening
Director – Jonathon Levine, 98 min
All the boys love Mandy Lane and all the girls want to be her. There’s at least one person, though, that wants Mandy and her friends dead.
Chanthaly (Lao People’s Democratic Republic,...
Austin, TX-Thursday, September 5, 2013- Fantastic Fest is excited to announce its final wave of film programming, including Terry Gilliam’s unique dystopian vision of the future, The Zero Theorem, as the closing night film on September 26th. The ninth edition of Fantastic Fest, will take place September 19 – 26 at Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline in Austin, Texas. See below for descriptions of twenty-five new World, North American & Us premiere films at this year’s festival.
All The Boys Love Mandy Lane (USA, 2006)
Special Screening
Director – Jonathon Levine, 98 min
All the boys love Mandy Lane and all the girls want to be her. There’s at least one person, though, that wants Mandy and her friends dead.
Chanthaly (Lao People’s Democratic Republic,...
- 9/5/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
WikiLeaks founder to judge films at the 21st Raindance Film Festival; 2013 line-up unveiled.Scroll down for full line-up of films
Julian Assange has joined the jury of the 21st Raindance Film Festival (Sept 25 - Oct 6), a London-based event that celebrates independent film in the UK and around the world.
The appointment is a controversial one. The Australian editor-in-chief and founder of WikiLeaks took refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning about sexual assault allegations.
It is understood that he fears Sweden would extradite him to the Us, where he believes he is wanted in relation to WikiLeaks’ disclosure of a significant amount of classified Us military and diplomatic documents.
Commenting on Assange’s appointment, Raindance founder Elliot Grove said: “Every year Raindance invites interesting people to join our jury. In the past we have had musicians like Mick Jones, Marky Ramone and [link...
Julian Assange has joined the jury of the 21st Raindance Film Festival (Sept 25 - Oct 6), a London-based event that celebrates independent film in the UK and around the world.
The appointment is a controversial one. The Australian editor-in-chief and founder of WikiLeaks took refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning about sexual assault allegations.
It is understood that he fears Sweden would extradite him to the Us, where he believes he is wanted in relation to WikiLeaks’ disclosure of a significant amount of classified Us military and diplomatic documents.
Commenting on Assange’s appointment, Raindance founder Elliot Grove said: “Every year Raindance invites interesting people to join our jury. In the past we have had musicians like Mick Jones, Marky Ramone and [link...
- 9/3/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Year: 2010
Director: Eiji Uchida
Writers: Eiji Uchida, Naoki Yamamoto
IMDb: link
Review by: Marina Antunes
Rating: 4 out of 10
We all love a good tale of the coming apocalypse; it provides a nice backdrop for stuff to go wrong and for individuals to take advantage of their situations. When done well, even the low budget affairs can come out winners. I thought that might be the case at the start of Eiji Uchida's The Last Days of the World unfortunately, this film doesn't deliver.
Kanou is a jaded teenager at a crossroads. He dislikes school but is working hard in an attempt to enter a good university so he doesn't end up like his father, a grad from a third rate school who recently lost his job and can't find another. On yet another boring school day, Kanou wakes during a lecture to see a tinny man who explains that...
Director: Eiji Uchida
Writers: Eiji Uchida, Naoki Yamamoto
IMDb: link
Review by: Marina Antunes
Rating: 4 out of 10
We all love a good tale of the coming apocalypse; it provides a nice backdrop for stuff to go wrong and for individuals to take advantage of their situations. When done well, even the low budget affairs can come out winners. I thought that might be the case at the start of Eiji Uchida's The Last Days of the World unfortunately, this film doesn't deliver.
Kanou is a jaded teenager at a crossroads. He dislikes school but is working hard in an attempt to enter a good university so he doesn't end up like his father, a grad from a third rate school who recently lost his job and can't find another. On yet another boring school day, Kanou wakes during a lecture to see a tinny man who explains that...
- 7/14/2011
- QuietEarth.us
I wonder if the perpetrators of the Columbine massacre saw God before they proceeded to shoot up their classmates- and if so- was God a middle-aged Japanese man in a bad suit? I mean, God does works in mysterious ways, and he asks people to do bad shit all the time.Case in point: Eiji Uchida's The Last Days of the World. Last Days is an odd little film with a dark sense of humor. The situations are ridiculous, but their presentation is bone dry. The synopsis calls it "a return to the trippy, socially-engaged, blackly comic, violent revolutionary movies of Japan's 60's," but I found it to be more of a throwback to the 90's era American indie. Amongst many other things. It tells the...
- 7/2/2011
- Screen Anarchy
A fantastic ramble inside a world where there is no harm, but everything must count. Director Eiji Uchida.s spirited .The Last Days of the World screened at this year.s New York Asian Film Festival. To say the least it was a valuable addition to the usual humdrum cop/corruption flicks. It is a thoughtful, atmospheric film and Jyonmyon Pe.s performance is one of the best around. Jyonmyon plays Kanou, a troubled schoolboy of approximately 16-18 years of age. Classmates bully him perpetually. He seems destined to a life as a miserable loner. His father is a cuckolded white-collar worker who has just been laid off from his job. As the graduate of a third class university, he has little chance...
- 6/28/2011
- by Ron Wilkinson
- Monsters and Critics
Here's a special contest for our New York readers, special. The gang at New York's Subway Cinema, home of the New York Asian Film Fest have given us two(2) pairs of tickets to a showing of Eiji Uchida's The Last Days Of The World, a return to the trippy, socially-engaged, blackly comic, ridiculously violent revolutionary movies of Japan's 60's.
The last Days of the World is about a high school student has a vision that the world is ending and so, faced with no consequences, he abducts a fellow student and goes on a crime spree.... yeah, you want to see it.
Screenings are either Monday, July 4, 9pm, or Friday July 8, 1:15pm.
How To Enter:
- Email your name and mailing address to: contest[at]quietearth[dot]us
- Subject line should be "Nyaff"
Tickets will be will call and waiting for winners at the door, but we will let...
The last Days of the World is about a high school student has a vision that the world is ending and so, faced with no consequences, he abducts a fellow student and goes on a crime spree.... yeah, you want to see it.
Screenings are either Monday, July 4, 9pm, or Friday July 8, 1:15pm.
How To Enter:
- Email your name and mailing address to: contest[at]quietearth[dot]us
- Subject line should be "Nyaff"
Tickets will be will call and waiting for winners at the door, but we will let...
- 6/21/2011
- QuietEarth.us
The lineup of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and Subway Cinema's 2011 New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), which runs July 1 -14, includes 45 features and one short film each from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. Among the world premieres are Takashi Miike's Ninja Kids!!! and Eiji Uchida's The Last Days of the World. American premieres include the fest opener, Yoshimasa Ishibashi’s Milocrorze: A Love Story. This year's Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award is going to Hong Kong auteur Tsui Hark (Peking Opera Blues); the Rising Star Award goes to Japanese actor Takayuki Yamadass. More highlights, details and the complete lineup is listed below: In addition, 2011 Nyaff will feature 12 films making their North ...
- 5/31/2011
- Thompson on Hollywood
The New York Asian Film Festival has announced that its tenth anniversary edition will open on July 1 with the North American premiere of Yoshimasa Ishibashi's Milocrorze: A Love Story ("one solid slab of psychedelia," promises the festival; image above) and close on July 14 with the New York premiere of Na Hong-Jin's The Yellow Sea (aka The Murderer), which has just screened at Cannes in Un Certain Regard (see the roundup).
There'll be two Centerpiece Presentations, Benny Chan's Shaolin, with Andy Lau, Nic Tse and Jackie Chan, and Takashi Miike's Ninja Kids!!! — which, you may remember Danny Kasman caught in Cannes, and got quite a nice kick out of it, too. The festival will also be screening Miike's "director's cut" of 13 Assassins.
There'll be three special focuses. First off...
Wu Xia: Hong Kong's Flying Swordsmen
Tsui Hark's Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame...
There'll be two Centerpiece Presentations, Benny Chan's Shaolin, with Andy Lau, Nic Tse and Jackie Chan, and Takashi Miike's Ninja Kids!!! — which, you may remember Danny Kasman caught in Cannes, and got quite a nice kick out of it, too. The festival will also be screening Miike's "director's cut" of 13 Assassins.
There'll be three special focuses. First off...
Wu Xia: Hong Kong's Flying Swordsmen
Tsui Hark's Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame...
- 5/31/2011
- MUBI
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