Tonde Saitama (“Fly Me to The Saitama”), released in 2019 and directed by Hideki Takeuchi, was based on the 1980s unfinished manga series of the same name by Maya Mineo. It was the story of a fictional world where discrimination was applied, based on birthplace and residence, and Saitama (always been looked down by Tokyo residents) was at the bottom of the rank. Playing on the stereotypes and memes that see Saitama prefecture as the “poor cousin of Tokyo”, the film proved very successful with audiences – local and foreigner alike – making it the third top-grossing Japanese live-action film of 2019.It was indeed a hilariously silly film, and the in-jokes and local references were understandable enough to be enjoyed fully by non-Japanese crowd. The success, the laughs and standing ovation it received when presented in Udine Far East Film Festival 2019 where a proof of its transnational allure.
Its sequel “Fly Me To...
Its sequel “Fly Me To...
- 6/3/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
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
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.
Tjff 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 Premiere of Kosai Sekine’s mystery drama Stay Mum「かくしごと 」starring Anne Watanabe and Eiji Okuda.
North American Premieres include Hayato Kawai’s comic retelling of the 47 Ronin story Don’T Lose Your Head!「身代わり忠臣蔵 」, Sho Miyake’s gentle tale of friendship amid mental-health struggles, All The Long Nights「夜明けのすべて 」, Yoshiyuki Kishi’s winner of the Audience Award and Best Director at the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival,...
Tjff 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 Premiere of Kosai Sekine’s mystery drama Stay Mum「かくしごと 」starring Anne Watanabe and Eiji Okuda.
North American Premieres include Hayato Kawai’s comic retelling of the 47 Ronin story Don’T Lose Your Head!「身代わり忠臣蔵 」, Sho Miyake’s gentle tale of friendship amid mental-health struggles, All The Long Nights「夜明けのすべて 」, Yoshiyuki Kishi’s winner of the Audience Award and Best Director at the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
I’m thirty-plus entries into Revenge of the Remakes and have finally reached an original/remake pair where neither is American. Vincenzo Natali’s Cube (1997) is a maple-scented product of Canada’s independent filmmaking scene, while Yasuhiko Shimizu’s 2021 remake hails from Japan. You’re free of rants about stale Americanizations and Hollywood’s sometimes shortsighted approach to horror remakes. Welcome to a wholly international edition of my column that’s, in comparison, outside the box. I’m honestly surprised Japan beat us to a Cube remake in a post-Platinum Dunes world — although Bloody Disgusting’s Brad Miska reported Lionsgate was taking new Cube pitches as of May 2022. Don’t be surprised if a domestic project surfaces soon.
It’s a tale of two geometrical prisons influenced by cultural horror norms. Natali aligns with genre-bending Canadian minds like David Cronenberg, whereas Shimizu leans toward more operatic and soapy Japanese storytelling.
It’s a tale of two geometrical prisons influenced by cultural horror norms. Natali aligns with genre-bending Canadian minds like David Cronenberg, whereas Shimizu leans toward more operatic and soapy Japanese storytelling.
- 1/16/2024
- by Matt Donato
- bloody-disgusting.com
With the Japanese remake of Cube now available on Screambox, I had an opportunity to catch up with director Yasuhiko Shimizu, who spoke about his approach to the remake, collaborting with Vincenzo Natali, and the on-set experience:
What was your familiarity with the original Cube and why was it a film you wanted to remake for modern audiences?
Cube had developed a cult following at that time. As a 16-year-old living in the countryside, it was a legendary work that even I, who had no interest in movies at that time, knew of its existence. It was a movie that truly transcended movies, having an impact not only on movie fans but also on the culture of various genres. I was thrilled to be involved and given the opportunity to remake such a masterpiece.
In terms of changes from the original work, the rules of Cube have remained almost unchanged,...
What was your familiarity with the original Cube and why was it a film you wanted to remake for modern audiences?
Cube had developed a cult following at that time. As a 16-year-old living in the countryside, it was a legendary work that even I, who had no interest in movies at that time, knew of its existence. It was a movie that truly transcended movies, having an impact not only on movie fans but also on the culture of various genres. I was thrilled to be involved and given the opportunity to remake such a masterpiece.
In terms of changes from the original work, the rules of Cube have remained almost unchanged,...
- 6/22/2023
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
After making its debut on Screambox, the Japanese remake of Vincenzo Natali‘s sci-fi cult classic Cube, directed by Yasuhiko Shimizu (“Pension: Love Is Pink”), is coming to Blu-ray on June 15 from Terror Vision. The release includes a new interview with original Cube creator Vincenzo Natali plus the new movie’s trailer.
Pre-order your copy now!
The newest Cube takes a deeper, darker and deadlier look at isolation and gore and follows a group of strangers who find themselves trapped in a sadistic maze without remembering how they got there. After waking up drugged and disoriented, the prisoners, who seemingly have nothing in common, find themselves in a mysterious room inscribed with an unfamiliar code.
Looking for ways to escape, they discover the room is riddled with lethal traps. As fear and distrust swirl around them, the group must work together to survive.
The brutal, sci-fi horror classic by Vincenzo...
Pre-order your copy now!
The newest Cube takes a deeper, darker and deadlier look at isolation and gore and follows a group of strangers who find themselves trapped in a sadistic maze without remembering how they got there. After waking up drugged and disoriented, the prisoners, who seemingly have nothing in common, find themselves in a mysterious room inscribed with an unfamiliar code.
Looking for ways to escape, they discover the room is riddled with lethal traps. As fear and distrust swirl around them, the group must work together to survive.
The brutal, sci-fi horror classic by Vincenzo...
- 5/17/2023
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
"The numbers have a pattern." Back into the Cube we go. Screambox has launched a trailer for their official streaming release of the new Cube remake from Japan. We posted trailers for this back in 2021 when it was opening in Japan at first, now it's finally getting a US debut. Yes, this is a direct remake of Vincenzo Natali's iconic 1997 cult classic Cube sci-fi horror film. A group of strangers wake up in mysterious room inscribed with an unfamiliar code. Looking for ways to escape, they discover the room is riddled with lethal traps. As fear and distrust swirl around them, the group must try to work together to survive & escape. The Japanese cast includes Masaki Suda, Anne Watanabe, Masaki Okada, Hikaru Tashiro, Takumi Saito, and Kotaro Yoshida. Natali praised the film in 2021, saying "Shimizu-san did a great job with his version. It is needless-to-say uniquely Japanese." If you've...
- 4/15/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Last month, Scream VI and 65 released on the very same day, and believe it or not we’re getting yet another big screen double feature from the horror genre this week.
Here’s all the new horror releasing April 11 – April 16, 2023!
For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.
After scaring up $4.5 million at the worldwide box office, viral hit Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey was finally made available to watch at home beginning yesterday.
You can rent the film for $9.99 or purchase it for $19.98 on Amazon now.
Rhys Frake-Waterfield directed the bloody horror movie for Jagged Edge Productions, a twisted take on the classic children’s tale. And yes, a sequel is already on the way.
In this version of the classic story, Christopher Robin is headed off to college and he has abandoned his old friends, which then leads to the duo embracing their inner monsters.
Here’s all the new horror releasing April 11 – April 16, 2023!
For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.
After scaring up $4.5 million at the worldwide box office, viral hit Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey was finally made available to watch at home beginning yesterday.
You can rent the film for $9.99 or purchase it for $19.98 on Amazon now.
Rhys Frake-Waterfield directed the bloody horror movie for Jagged Edge Productions, a twisted take on the classic children’s tale. And yes, a sequel is already on the way.
In this version of the classic story, Christopher Robin is headed off to college and he has abandoned his old friends, which then leads to the duo embracing their inner monsters.
- 4/11/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
The Japanese remake of Vincenzo Natali‘s sci-fi cult classic Cube, directed by Yasuhiko Shimizu (“Pension: Love Is Pink”), is now streaming on the Bloody Disgusting-powered Screambox!
The newest Cube takes a deeper, darker and deadlier look at isolation and gore and follows a group of strangers who find themselves trapped in a sadistic maze without remembering how they got there. After waking up drugged and disoriented, the prisoners, who seemingly have nothing in common, find themselves in a mysterious room inscribed with an unfamiliar code.
Looking for ways to escape, they discover the room is riddled with lethal traps. As fear and distrust swirl around them, the group must work together to survive.
The brutal, sci-fi horror classic by Vincenzo Natali was so successful that it spawned Cube²: Hypercube (2002) and Cube Zero (2004). Natali stayed on as an executive producer of the Japanese remake with Kôji Tokuo writing the adapted screenplay.
The newest Cube takes a deeper, darker and deadlier look at isolation and gore and follows a group of strangers who find themselves trapped in a sadistic maze without remembering how they got there. After waking up drugged and disoriented, the prisoners, who seemingly have nothing in common, find themselves in a mysterious room inscribed with an unfamiliar code.
Looking for ways to escape, they discover the room is riddled with lethal traps. As fear and distrust swirl around them, the group must work together to survive.
The brutal, sci-fi horror classic by Vincenzo Natali was so successful that it spawned Cube²: Hypercube (2002) and Cube Zero (2004). Natali stayed on as an executive producer of the Japanese remake with Kôji Tokuo writing the adapted screenplay.
- 4/11/2023
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
I know a lot of you have been asking for updates on the Japanese remake of Vincenzo Natali‘s sci-fi cult classic Cube, directed by Yasuhiko Shimizu (“Pension: Love Is Pink”). Well, we’re excited to reveal today that we bought it!
Yup! First reported by THR this afternoon, Cinedigm has acquired all North American rights to the remake of the 1997 award-winning Canadian cult classic and will be bringing it straight to Screambox subscribers on April 11th!
The newest Cube takes a deeper, darker and deadlier look at isolation and gore and follows a group of strangers who find themselves trapped in a sadistic maze without remembering how they got there. After waking up drugged and disoriented, the prisoners, who seemingly have nothing in common, find themselves in a mysterious room inscribed with an unfamiliar code.
Looking for ways to escape, they discover the room is riddled with lethal traps.
Yup! First reported by THR this afternoon, Cinedigm has acquired all North American rights to the remake of the 1997 award-winning Canadian cult classic and will be bringing it straight to Screambox subscribers on April 11th!
The newest Cube takes a deeper, darker and deadlier look at isolation and gore and follows a group of strangers who find themselves trapped in a sadistic maze without remembering how they got there. After waking up drugged and disoriented, the prisoners, who seemingly have nothing in common, find themselves in a mysterious room inscribed with an unfamiliar code.
Looking for ways to escape, they discover the room is riddled with lethal traps.
- 3/16/2023
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
Cinedigm has picked up the U.S. rights to the Japanese sci-fi horror movie Cube, a remake of Vincenzo Natali’s 1997 Canadian cult classic of the same name.
Cinedigm will release the remake on its horror streamer Screambox on April 11. Natali directed the original Cube movie, which came out of the Canadian Film Centre’s First Feature Project.
“Vincenzo Natali’s Cube is a modern cult classic that broke new ground with its unique production design and groundbreaking storytelling. This new Japanese experience honors the original and delivers the goods horror fans expect to see,” Brad Miska, managing director of Bloody Disgusting/Cinedigm, said in a statement.
The Japanese remake, directed by Yasuhiko Shimizu, follows a group of strangers who find themselves trapped in a sadistic maze without remembering how they got there. After waking up drugged and disoriented, the prisoners, who seemingly have nothing in common, find themselves in...
Cinedigm will release the remake on its horror streamer Screambox on April 11. Natali directed the original Cube movie, which came out of the Canadian Film Centre’s First Feature Project.
“Vincenzo Natali’s Cube is a modern cult classic that broke new ground with its unique production design and groundbreaking storytelling. This new Japanese experience honors the original and delivers the goods horror fans expect to see,” Brad Miska, managing director of Bloody Disgusting/Cinedigm, said in a statement.
The Japanese remake, directed by Yasuhiko Shimizu, follows a group of strangers who find themselves trapped in a sadistic maze without remembering how they got there. After waking up drugged and disoriented, the prisoners, who seemingly have nothing in common, find themselves in...
- 3/16/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"I used to take care of everyone..." Samuel Goldwyn Films has revealed an official trailer for an anthology feature titled Tell it Like a Woman, which will be available to watch on all VOD platforms starting this weekend (on Feb 17th). The film is a surprise Oscar nominee this year, earning a strange nomination in the Best Original Song category. Most of us didn't even know this film existed before this nom. It tells stories of women, both in front of and behind the camera, each directed by filmmakers from around the world. Each of the seven segments is an inspiring and empowering story about women, by women, for everyone. The full cast includes Cara Delevingne, Marcia Gay Harden, Jennifer Hudson, Eva Longoria, Margherita Buy, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Anne Watanabe. And it features the Oscar nominated original song "Applause" with music & lyrics by Grammy / Emmy winning songwriter Diane Warren, who...
- 2/15/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
While it was ‘Naatu Naatu’ that made a lot of noise with its Oscars nomination, another song ‘Applause’ from the film ‘Tell it Like a Woman’ is also competing against the global phenomenon in the Best Original Song category.
Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez, who also stars in the film, recently shared her happiness with the track earning the nomination.
The song titled ‘Applause’ has been penned by singer Diane Warren, a recipient of 13 Oscar nominations and spreads the message of strength and empowerment.
Excited with the Oscar nomination, Jacqueline said, “I am so proud of the entire team of ‘Tell It Like A Woman’ and especially Dianne and Sofia who created such magical music with ‘Applause’. The whole experience of doing this film was just as magical for me.”
She further mentioned, “Being associated with this Oscar nomination is just so special, I cannot express it because it is very...
Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez, who also stars in the film, recently shared her happiness with the track earning the nomination.
The song titled ‘Applause’ has been penned by singer Diane Warren, a recipient of 13 Oscar nominations and spreads the message of strength and empowerment.
Excited with the Oscar nomination, Jacqueline said, “I am so proud of the entire team of ‘Tell It Like A Woman’ and especially Dianne and Sofia who created such magical music with ‘Applause’. The whole experience of doing this film was just as magical for me.”
She further mentioned, “Being associated with this Oscar nomination is just so special, I cannot express it because it is very...
- 1/25/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Diane Warren is heading back to the Dolby Theatre. The legendary songwriter garnered her 14th Oscar nomination on Tuesday recognizing her work on “Applause” — an original song penned for the Samuel Goldwyn Films anthology, Tell It Like a Woman.
Related Story Oscar Nominations: The Complete List of Nominees Related Story How To Watch The 2023 Oscar Nominations Related Story Ryan Coogler On Sundance & 'Fruitvale Station' A Decade Later & How 'Creed' May Be The Most Park City Franchise Ever
While Warren was recognized in November with an Honorary Oscar, she has somehow not yet taken home a statuette for Best Original Song. Her most recent nominations from the Film Academy have come for the songs “Somehow You Do” from Vertical Entertainment’s addiction drama, Four Good Days; “Io Si (Seen)” from Netflix’s Sophia Lorren starrer The Life Ahead, co-written by Laura Pausini; “I’m Standing With You” from Twentieth Century Fox...
Related Story Oscar Nominations: The Complete List of Nominees Related Story How To Watch The 2023 Oscar Nominations Related Story Ryan Coogler On Sundance & 'Fruitvale Station' A Decade Later & How 'Creed' May Be The Most Park City Franchise Ever
While Warren was recognized in November with an Honorary Oscar, she has somehow not yet taken home a statuette for Best Original Song. Her most recent nominations from the Film Academy have come for the songs “Somehow You Do” from Vertical Entertainment’s addiction drama, Four Good Days; “Io Si (Seen)” from Netflix’s Sophia Lorren starrer The Life Ahead, co-written by Laura Pausini; “I’m Standing With You” from Twentieth Century Fox...
- 1/24/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Diane Warren’s songwriting job for Tell It Like a Woman was simple: create a hymn for female empowerment.
“We tend to beat ourselves up a lot,” the veteran tune scribe said during a panel at Deadline’s Sound & Screen event. “Every now and then you have to just give yourself some f*cking applause, give yourself some love, give yourself some respect. Give it to yourself before you give it to someone else.”
Tell It Like a Woman is comprised of seven segments directed by female directors from different parts of the world. Genres include drama, comedy, docudrama and animation. “They are pretty powerful stories,” said Warren. “I wanted to write a song that could fit in all these various movies, which is basically just about empowerment. These are stories about strong women. I wanted the song to reflect that.”
Related: Deadline’s Sound & Screen: Full Coverage
It took...
“We tend to beat ourselves up a lot,” the veteran tune scribe said during a panel at Deadline’s Sound & Screen event. “Every now and then you have to just give yourself some f*cking applause, give yourself some love, give yourself some respect. Give it to yourself before you give it to someone else.”
Tell It Like a Woman is comprised of seven segments directed by female directors from different parts of the world. Genres include drama, comedy, docudrama and animation. “They are pretty powerful stories,” said Warren. “I wanted to write a song that could fit in all these various movies, which is basically just about empowerment. These are stories about strong women. I wanted the song to reflect that.”
Related: Deadline’s Sound & Screen: Full Coverage
It took...
- 11/11/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
The uneven Japanese animated fantasy “The Deer King” often resembles the sort of Studio Ghibli action-adventure that made animation figurehead Hayao Miyazaki internationally famous, especially “Princess Mononoke” and “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.” “The Deer King” not only looks like those Studio Ghibli staples, but also follows a plot that recalls Ghibli-style high fantasies: two warring feudal kingdoms try either to capture or enlist Van, a resourceful ex-soldier who may or may not be immune to a devastating plague.
Comparisons between “The Deer King” and Studio Ghibli’s better known movies seem inevitable, especially given how many of this movie’s creators learned their trade as animators and animation directors at Studio Ghibli, particularly co-directors Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji, and key animators Kenichi Konishi and Kenichi Yoshida. Thankfully, what works in so many Ghibli movies also mostly works in “The Deer King,” given the craft and consideration...
Comparisons between “The Deer King” and Studio Ghibli’s better known movies seem inevitable, especially given how many of this movie’s creators learned their trade as animators and animation directors at Studio Ghibli, particularly co-directors Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji, and key animators Kenichi Konishi and Kenichi Yoshida. Thankfully, what works in so many Ghibli movies also mostly works in “The Deer King,” given the craft and consideration...
- 7/14/2022
- by Simon Abrams
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Samuel Goldwyn Films has closed a deal with Italian outfit Iervolino & Lady Bacardi Entertainment to acquire U.S. distribution rights to star-studded female-powered feature Tell It Like A Woman, whose filmmakers and actors include Taraji P. Henson, Jennifer Hudson, Pauletta Washington, Cara Delevingne, Catherine Hardwicke, Margherita Buy, Marcia Gay Harden, Eva Longoria, Leonor Varela, Jacqueline Fernandez, Anne Watanabe and Mipo O.
For the film, superstar songwriter and 13-time Oscar nominee Diane Warren (who is getting an honorary Academy Award in November) has written original song Applause which was performed by Sofia Carson and is being released later this year as a single through Disney Music Group label Hollywood Records. An accompanying music video was directed by Catherine Hardwicke, starring singer and actress Carson.
Warren’s song is described as “the defining sound of the film and intended to serve as a hymn for female empowerment”. The filmmakers say they...
For the film, superstar songwriter and 13-time Oscar nominee Diane Warren (who is getting an honorary Academy Award in November) has written original song Applause which was performed by Sofia Carson and is being released later this year as a single through Disney Music Group label Hollywood Records. An accompanying music video was directed by Catherine Hardwicke, starring singer and actress Carson.
Warren’s song is described as “the defining sound of the film and intended to serve as a hymn for female empowerment”. The filmmakers say they...
- 7/7/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The Deer King Trailer — Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji‘s The Deer King / Shika no ou (2021) U.S. movie trailer has been released by GKids. The Deer King trailer stars Shinichi Tsutsumi, Ryoma Takeuchi, Anne Watanabe, Atsushi Abe, and Hisui Kimura. Crew Taku Kishimoto wrote the screenplay for The Deer King. Michael Archacki was [...]
Continue reading: The Deer King (2021) U.S. Movie Trailer: Two Black Wolf Fever survivors Navigate a Perilous World Seeking Their Secret...
Continue reading: The Deer King (2021) U.S. Movie Trailer: Two Black Wolf Fever survivors Navigate a Perilous World Seeking Their Secret...
- 5/14/2022
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
Japanese film sellers are once again out in force at Tiffcom, which is completely online for the second year in a row. Buyers will find much familiar from the Busan market, but new titles are on offer as well.
Nikkatsu
Japan’s oldest continuously operated studio, Nikkatsu is bringing Matsui Daigo’s “Just Remembering,” a romantic drama selected for the TIFF competition. Ito Sairi and Ikematsu Soksuke star as a couple on the verge of a break-up who reminisce about better days. Matsui’s original script was inspired by the Jim Jarmusch classic “Night on the Planet.”
Also, on offer is the other Japanese competition title, “Third Time Lucky.” The film is the directorial debut of Nohara Tadashi, a scriptwriter whose credits include Hamaguchi Ryusuke’s 2015 ensemble drama “Happy Hour” and Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s WWII thriller “Wife of a Spy.” Kawamura Rira, who also appeared in “Happy Hour,” stars as...
Nikkatsu
Japan’s oldest continuously operated studio, Nikkatsu is bringing Matsui Daigo’s “Just Remembering,” a romantic drama selected for the TIFF competition. Ito Sairi and Ikematsu Soksuke star as a couple on the verge of a break-up who reminisce about better days. Matsui’s original script was inspired by the Jim Jarmusch classic “Night on the Planet.”
Also, on offer is the other Japanese competition title, “Third Time Lucky.” The film is the directorial debut of Nohara Tadashi, a scriptwriter whose credits include Hamaguchi Ryusuke’s 2015 ensemble drama “Happy Hour” and Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s WWII thriller “Wife of a Spy.” Kawamura Rira, who also appeared in “Happy Hour,” stars as...
- 10/31/2021
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and Pauletta Washington have joined Iervolino Entertainment’s star-studded anthology project “Tell It Like a Woman.”
The trio will take on “Pepcy & Kim,” one of the anthology’s seven segments. Henson has signed on to direct the piece, which is inspired by the true story of Kim Carter, a former addict who has used her story and her nonprofit, the Time for Change Foundation, to help homeless women and children break the cycle and reclaim their lives.
Hudson is set to star in the segment, playing both Pepcy and Kim, opposite Washington. The segment is written by Catherine Hardwicke.
“Pepcy & Kim” completes the puzzle for the “Tell It Like a Woman” project, a film made by and about women, comprised of seven segments that make one intertwining feature film. Hardwicke, Cara Delevingne, Margherita Buy, Marcia Gay Harden, Eva Longoria, Leonor Varela,...
The trio will take on “Pepcy & Kim,” one of the anthology’s seven segments. Henson has signed on to direct the piece, which is inspired by the true story of Kim Carter, a former addict who has used her story and her nonprofit, the Time for Change Foundation, to help homeless women and children break the cycle and reclaim their lives.
Hudson is set to star in the segment, playing both Pepcy and Kim, opposite Washington. The segment is written by Catherine Hardwicke.
“Pepcy & Kim” completes the puzzle for the “Tell It Like a Woman” project, a film made by and about women, comprised of seven segments that make one intertwining feature film. Hardwicke, Cara Delevingne, Margherita Buy, Marcia Gay Harden, Eva Longoria, Leonor Varela,...
- 6/28/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Iervolino Entertainment’s star-studded female-driven anthology project Tell It Like a Woman is adding a Japanese dimension. Japanese filmmaker Mipo O (The Light Shines Only There) will direct and write a segment for the film titled A Week in My Life, starring Anne Watanabe (daughter of Ken Watanabe and star of Midsummer’s Equation, Platinum Data). Japan’s leading premium pay-tv broadcaster Wowow will produce the Japanese segment, while also taking all distribution rights for the finished film in Japan.
Watanabe and Mipo O join an impressive roster of filmmakers and actresses already attached to Tell It Like a Woman, including Cara Delevingne, Catherine Hardwicke, Margherita ...
Watanabe and Mipo O join an impressive roster of filmmakers and actresses already attached to Tell It Like a Woman, including Cara Delevingne, Catherine Hardwicke, Margherita ...
- 6/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Iervolino Entertainment’s star-studded female-driven anthology project Tell It Like a Woman is adding a Japanese dimension. Japanese filmmaker Mipo O (The Light Shines Only There) will direct and write a segment for the film titled A Week in My Life, starring Anne Watanabe (daughter of Ken Watanabe and star of Midsummer’s Equation, Platinum Data). Japan’s leading premium pay-tv broadcaster Wowow will produce the Japanese segment, while also taking all distribution rights for the finished film in Japan.
Watanabe and Mipo O join an impressive roster of filmmakers and actresses already attached to Tell It Like a Woman, including Cara Delevingne, Catherine Hardwicke, Margherita ...
Watanabe and Mipo O join an impressive roster of filmmakers and actresses already attached to Tell It Like a Woman, including Cara Delevingne, Catherine Hardwicke, Margherita ...
- 6/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Features the voices of: Mayu Matsuoka, Anne Watanabe, Kumiko Asô, Nao Tôyama, Keiji Fujiwara, Akiko Yajima, Masachika Ichimura | Written by Miho Maruo | Directed by Keiichi Hara
Outside of literally three or four movies, my viewing of Japanese animated movies is completely reliant on Studio Ghibili. That said, I adore the studio and every one of its movies, with Spirited Away being one of my all time favourites. So it was about time I checked out the output from other animation filmmakers in Japan.
As the title would suggest, The Wonderland does have a few influences from Alice in Wonderland. But to be honest, there’s nothing too obvious and it definitely does not feel like a retread of that story. The day before her birthday, a young girl, Akane, meets an alchemist named Hippocrates and his student Pipo. Along with an antique shop owner, Chii, who she is kind of friends with,...
Outside of literally three or four movies, my viewing of Japanese animated movies is completely reliant on Studio Ghibili. That said, I adore the studio and every one of its movies, with Spirited Away being one of my all time favourites. So it was about time I checked out the output from other animation filmmakers in Japan.
As the title would suggest, The Wonderland does have a few influences from Alice in Wonderland. But to be honest, there’s nothing too obvious and it definitely does not feel like a retread of that story. The day before her birthday, a young girl, Akane, meets an alchemist named Hippocrates and his student Pipo. Along with an antique shop owner, Chii, who she is kind of friends with,...
- 7/16/2019
- by Alain Elliott
- Nerdly
The slumbering specialized world woke up this weekend.
Critically acclaimed “Moonlight” (A24) pulled a sensational response far beyond its already high expectations. But it wasn’t the only positive story: “The Handmaiden” (Magnolia) beat the odds against subtitled films. And Michael Moore’s election special “Trumpland” (Dog Eat Dog) scored strong numbers in theaters along with its iTunes debut.
Openers
“Moonlight” (A24) – Metacritic: 99; Festivals include: Telluride, Toronto, New York 2016
$413,175 in 4 theaters; PTA (per theater average): $103,685
In a lackluster year at the specialty box office, even a $30,000 initial platform per theater average for Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” would have looked great. Instead, with a rare 99 Metacritic score, ahead of any other film this year, the opening PTA of $103,685 is sky high and among the top initial results ever.
How good is it? It is second only to “The Revenant” (which opened on Christmas weekend) among releases over the last two years.
Critically acclaimed “Moonlight” (A24) pulled a sensational response far beyond its already high expectations. But it wasn’t the only positive story: “The Handmaiden” (Magnolia) beat the odds against subtitled films. And Michael Moore’s election special “Trumpland” (Dog Eat Dog) scored strong numbers in theaters along with its iTunes debut.
Openers
“Moonlight” (A24) – Metacritic: 99; Festivals include: Telluride, Toronto, New York 2016
$413,175 in 4 theaters; PTA (per theater average): $103,685
In a lackluster year at the specialty box office, even a $30,000 initial platform per theater average for Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” would have looked great. Instead, with a rare 99 Metacritic score, ahead of any other film this year, the opening PTA of $103,685 is sky high and among the top initial results ever.
How good is it? It is second only to “The Revenant” (which opened on Christmas weekend) among releases over the last two years.
- 10/23/2016
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
The traditional fall season of award-season releases gets a late start on Friday with “Moonlight” (A24) and “The Handmaiden” (Magnolia) leading the way. It can’t come a moment too soon.
This weekend, top-quality films “Certain Women” (IFC), “Christine” (The Orchard), “Miss Hokusai” (Gkids) and “Aquarius” (Vitagraph) competed in limited openings. All nabbed good or better reviews. But none scored at the level likely to lead to the sort of wider response and multi-million grosses that normally come along regularly at this time of year.
The weakness can be seen among later-week grosses as films expand. There hasn’t been a breakout crossover release of any significance since “Hell or High Water” (Lionsgate), which is still grossing better than most recent releases.
“Shin Godzilla” (Funimation) showed strength with a midweek opening in a mixed plan of bookings. Similar to “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week” (Abramorama), out-of- the-box distribution seems to be finding positive results.
This weekend, top-quality films “Certain Women” (IFC), “Christine” (The Orchard), “Miss Hokusai” (Gkids) and “Aquarius” (Vitagraph) competed in limited openings. All nabbed good or better reviews. But none scored at the level likely to lead to the sort of wider response and multi-million grosses that normally come along regularly at this time of year.
The weakness can be seen among later-week grosses as films expand. There hasn’t been a breakout crossover release of any significance since “Hell or High Water” (Lionsgate), which is still grossing better than most recent releases.
“Shin Godzilla” (Funimation) showed strength with a midweek opening in a mixed plan of bookings. Similar to “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week” (Abramorama), out-of- the-box distribution seems to be finding positive results.
- 10/16/2016
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
One of the biggest reasons why 2D animation is still alive and well in other parts of the world is that some countries never got the memo that all animated films needed to be about talking animals or singing princesses. Only in America do we seem to believe that animation should exclusively be used to capture things that cannot be placed in front of a camera — this, even at a time when the dominant live-action films are basically cartoons with celebrity stand-ins. Hollywood has completely resigned itself to the idea that seeing is inherently better than imagining, each newly announced “live-action” remake a reaffirmation of the idea that every drawing wants to be a photograph.
That isn’t (and has never been) the case in Japan, however, where animated movies are so often about people — not the secret lives of their pets, or their action figures, or their sex-crazed foodstuffs,...
That isn’t (and has never been) the case in Japan, however, where animated movies are so often about people — not the secret lives of their pets, or their action figures, or their sex-crazed foodstuffs,...
- 10/14/2016
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
You don’t need to work hard to make Keiichi Hara’s newest film, “Miss Hokusai,” sound dry on paper: Simply throw out the phrase “movie based on an historical manga series,”and you’ve positioned the movie right at the intersection where “arid” crosses “boring,” except that “Miss Hokusai” defies geography by being neither of these. An animated semi-biographical film about the daughter-cum-apprentice of the great Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai sounds like a snore, but Hara marries biography to observational and slapstick humor, plus a healthy dose of supernatural rumblings, and in so doing produces something altogether fascinating and endlessly entertaining.
Continue reading Keiichi Hara’s ‘Miss Hokusai’ Is A Fascinating & Endlessly Entertaining Animated Tale [Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading Keiichi Hara’s ‘Miss Hokusai’ Is A Fascinating & Endlessly Entertaining Animated Tale [Review] at The Playlist.
- 10/13/2016
- by Andrew Crump
- The Playlist
From the moment an electric guitar’s riff introduces heroine and painter Katsushika Ōi (Anne Watanabe) in 1814 Edo, Japan, Keiichi Hara‘s Miss Hokusai clearly wants us to know that this girl is beyond her time. The musical anachronism tells us as much, but so does the haughty way in which Ōi dismisses the gauche advances of a would-be suitor and the way her voice-over narration signals a self-assuredness not typically attributed to women of her time. The film’s final scene suggests it again, reintroducing the guitar leitmotif while the same, confident narration tells us that Ōi married once but lived her final days untethered to men. As her voice subsides, Edo transforms, via time-lapse, into the Tokyo that we know today, showcasing the modernization of which the real-life Ōi was one of the early figures.
Taken together, these narrative bookends pronounce the spirited independence of this young woman...
Taken together, these narrative bookends pronounce the spirited independence of this young woman...
- 10/13/2016
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
I've got a great trailer for a beautifully animated anime film for you to watch called Miss Hokusai. The film tells the story of the life and art of Japanese artist and ukiyo-e painter Katsushika Hokusai a.k.a. Tetsuzo. The story is set in 1814 Japan and is told from the point of view of his daughter, Katsushika O-Ei.
In case you're not familiar with the name, you might recognize one of his most famous pieces, which is known as "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." This looks like a stunningly made film, and I can't wait to see it. Here's the synopsis:
Set in 1814, Miss Hokusai focuses on Katsushika O-Ei (voiced by Anne Watanabe), the daughter of famed artist Tetsuzo, better known by his pen name Hokusai, as she tries to navigate the various aspects of her life. O-Ei spends the bulk of her time assisting her divorced father who...
In case you're not familiar with the name, you might recognize one of his most famous pieces, which is known as "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." This looks like a stunningly made film, and I can't wait to see it. Here's the synopsis:
Set in 1814, Miss Hokusai focuses on Katsushika O-Ei (voiced by Anne Watanabe), the daughter of famed artist Tetsuzo, better known by his pen name Hokusai, as she tries to navigate the various aspects of her life. O-Ei spends the bulk of her time assisting her divorced father who...
- 9/4/2016
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
"That nutty old man is my father." GKids has debuted a trailer for the animated film called Miss Hokusai, which opened in Japan in 2015 and played at numerous film festivals last year. The film is about the life and works of Japanese artist and ukiyo-e painter Katsushika Hokusai, also known as Tetsuzo, as seen from the eyes of his daughter, Katsushika O-Ei. You all know his work because Hokusai painted the very famous piece known as "The Great Wave off Kanagawa". The voice cast includes Anne Watanabe as O-Ei, Yutaka Matsushige as Hokusai, plus Kumiko Asô, Gaku Hamada and Kengo Kôra. Not only is it cool to see a story about Hokusai, but it's lovely to see it told from the perspective of his daughter, who was dedicated to making sure her father could produce this art. I love catching up with animated films like this. Take a look. Here's...
- 8/27/2016
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
There’s this nutty old man who painted a huge Dharma on a huge sheet of paper and draws sparrows on tiny rice grains. Some may know him as Hokusai the painter, but his daughter, O-Ei, knows him as Tetsuzo.
A new trailer for Keiichi Hara’s animated coming-of-age tale, “Miss Hokusai,” has just been released, courtesy of Gkids and Japanese powerhouse Production I.G. The film follows the remarkable story of the daughter behind one of history’s most famous artists.
As all of Edo flocks to see the work of the revered painter Hokusai (voiced by Yutaka Matsushige), his daughter O-Ei (Anne Watanabe) toils diligently inside his studio. The latest trailer shows her as she begins to work on her own masterful portraits – sold under the name of her father – which are coveted by upper crust Lords and journeyman print makers alike.
Read More: ‘Kubo and the Two Strings...
A new trailer for Keiichi Hara’s animated coming-of-age tale, “Miss Hokusai,” has just been released, courtesy of Gkids and Japanese powerhouse Production I.G. The film follows the remarkable story of the daughter behind one of history’s most famous artists.
As all of Edo flocks to see the work of the revered painter Hokusai (voiced by Yutaka Matsushige), his daughter O-Ei (Anne Watanabe) toils diligently inside his studio. The latest trailer shows her as she begins to work on her own masterful portraits – sold under the name of her father – which are coveted by upper crust Lords and journeyman print makers alike.
Read More: ‘Kubo and the Two Strings...
- 8/26/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
Director Keiichi Hara’s award-winning anime Miss Hokusai has been acquired by Gkids and will be coming to North America in limited release beginning October 14 in New York and Los Angeles. An expanded release to other cities in North America will follow. Based on the historical manga series Sarusuberi, written and illustrated by Hinako Sugiura, the episodic story is set during Japan’s Edo period (which lasted from 1603-1968) and focuses on O-Ei, daughter of the legendary…...
- 7/7/2016
- Deadline
An interesting, delicate animation about the relationship between Katsushika Hokusai – the 19th-century artist famous for The Great Wave – and his daughter
Katsushika Hokusai is the Japanese artist whose famous work is The Great Wave Off Kanagawa (1830): an elegant and mysterious vision of a huge wave in mid-break, droplets of spray fixed like icicles, endlessly reproduced on T-shirts, posters, etc. This interesting and unexpectedly complex anime, based on Hinako Sugiura’s manga series Sarusaberi, or Crape Myrtle, is about Hokusai’s daughter and assistant O-Ei, voiced by Anne Watanabe.
The movie persuasively speculates that she was effectively his collaborator and artistic co-creator, and the film combines the sentimental, the erotic and the simply strange. Father and daughter here have a very frank attitude to their lucrative erotica output, and there are intriguing leftfield moments, such as a visit to a courtesan, who is tricked into revealing her mystical ability to...
Katsushika Hokusai is the Japanese artist whose famous work is The Great Wave Off Kanagawa (1830): an elegant and mysterious vision of a huge wave in mid-break, droplets of spray fixed like icicles, endlessly reproduced on T-shirts, posters, etc. This interesting and unexpectedly complex anime, based on Hinako Sugiura’s manga series Sarusaberi, or Crape Myrtle, is about Hokusai’s daughter and assistant O-Ei, voiced by Anne Watanabe.
The movie persuasively speculates that she was effectively his collaborator and artistic co-creator, and the film combines the sentimental, the erotic and the simply strange. Father and daughter here have a very frank attitude to their lucrative erotica output, and there are intriguing leftfield moments, such as a visit to a courtesan, who is tricked into revealing her mystical ability to...
- 2/4/2016
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Cast: Anne Watanabe, Michitaka Tsutsui, Yutaka Matsushige, Kumiko Asô, Shion Shimizu, Gaku Hamada, Kengo Kôra | Written by Miho Maruo | Based on the manga by Hinako Sugiura | Directed by Keiichi Hara
Choosing to depict an artist’s life in a form close to their own can be a tightrope walk. Miss Hokusai dares to examine the work and lives of two Japanese artists in the form of anime, but this turns out to be a natural fit: the broad brushstrokes of its principals stand in harmonious contrast to the considerably less stylised but no less lovely animation of the film. It’s a shame that this is the only aspect of the film that really strikes a chord.
Set in 19th-century Edo (later known as Tokyo), Miss Hokusai centers on talented young artist O-Ei and her father, the Hokusai of the film’s title, also a painter but with far greater success.
Choosing to depict an artist’s life in a form close to their own can be a tightrope walk. Miss Hokusai dares to examine the work and lives of two Japanese artists in the form of anime, but this turns out to be a natural fit: the broad brushstrokes of its principals stand in harmonious contrast to the considerably less stylised but no less lovely animation of the film. It’s a shame that this is the only aspect of the film that really strikes a chord.
Set in 19th-century Edo (later known as Tokyo), Miss Hokusai centers on talented young artist O-Ei and her father, the Hokusai of the film’s title, also a painter but with far greater success.
- 2/4/2016
- by Mark Allen
- Nerdly
The 19th annual Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian) is set to run from November 5 – 15, 2015 in Toronto and Richmond Hill. The festival highlights contemporary Asian cinema as well as work from the Asian Diaspora. Reel Asian also features a series of industry events in areas such as pitching and screenwriting to help guide and inspire creative minds.
After meticulously going over every synopsis, trailer, and bio that this year’s festival has to offer, I’ve put together a list of several can’t miss films at Reel Asian 2015.
Seoul Searching
During the 1980s, the Korean government instituted a policy which created summer camps aimed at enticing the country’s gyopo (foreign born) teenagers to visit their motherland. The plan seemed to be a win-win; parents could send their kids away on the Korean government’s dime, the kids would gain a first-hand cultural experience, and the country...
After meticulously going over every synopsis, trailer, and bio that this year’s festival has to offer, I’ve put together a list of several can’t miss films at Reel Asian 2015.
Seoul Searching
During the 1980s, the Korean government instituted a policy which created summer camps aimed at enticing the country’s gyopo (foreign born) teenagers to visit their motherland. The plan seemed to be a win-win; parents could send their kids away on the Korean government’s dime, the kids would gain a first-hand cultural experience, and the country...
- 11/4/2015
- by Victor Stiff
- SoundOnSight
Montreal’s genre film festival wraps with over 100,000 spectators attending across its 23 days of screenings.
Sion Sono’s Tag was among the winners at this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival, which wrapped yesterday [Aug 4] with the Canadian premiere of Shinji Higuchi’s Attack on Titan.
This year saw over 100,000 spectators attending across the festival’s 23 days of screenings, including 195 indoor screenings, three outdoor screenings, eight virtual reality films and other special events, such as the debut international performance of Glass Eye Pix’s live horror radio show Tales from Beyond the Pale.
Over 900 international guests, including more than 400 film industry professionals, visited the festival and its Frontières Market which saw two deals close during the market. Raven Banner boarded worldwide sales on Gigi Saul Guerrero’s El Gigante, while Frank Murray of Lux Capta Films signed on as producer of Renaud Gauthier’s ‘Lude Behavior.
Guests included Jon Watts and Kevin Bacon for Cop Car, Michael Ironside, [link...
Sion Sono’s Tag was among the winners at this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival, which wrapped yesterday [Aug 4] with the Canadian premiere of Shinji Higuchi’s Attack on Titan.
This year saw over 100,000 spectators attending across the festival’s 23 days of screenings, including 195 indoor screenings, three outdoor screenings, eight virtual reality films and other special events, such as the debut international performance of Glass Eye Pix’s live horror radio show Tales from Beyond the Pale.
Over 900 international guests, including more than 400 film industry professionals, visited the festival and its Frontières Market which saw two deals close during the market. Raven Banner boarded worldwide sales on Gigi Saul Guerrero’s El Gigante, while Frank Murray of Lux Capta Films signed on as producer of Renaud Gauthier’s ‘Lude Behavior.
Guests included Jon Watts and Kevin Bacon for Cop Car, Michael Ironside, [link...
- 8/5/2015
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Following their recent animated masterpieces A Letter to Momo and Giovanni’s Island, the legendary studio Production I.G return with Miss Hokusai. Directed by Keiichi Hara (Colorful), the film adapts Hinako Sugiura’s acclaimed historical manga Sarusuberi. Anne Watanabe will star in the role of O-Ei, daughter of acclaimed ukiyo-e painter Hokusai.
We’ve only heard great things about Miss Hokusai, a film that not only honours a great work of literature but bursts with energy and stunning animation. The film will open the Fantasia Film Festival on July 14. Watch the trailer below.
Synopsis: The story begins in Japan in 1814. Edo is the city currently known as Tokyo. Tetsuzo old of great fifties, is already a recognized artist in his country. In his workshop where there is a monstrous mess, he spends his time creating magnificent works of art. He is a man with moody, sarcastic, which is not...
We’ve only heard great things about Miss Hokusai, a film that not only honours a great work of literature but bursts with energy and stunning animation. The film will open the Fantasia Film Festival on July 14. Watch the trailer below.
Synopsis: The story begins in Japan in 1814. Edo is the city currently known as Tokyo. Tetsuzo old of great fifties, is already a recognized artist in his country. In his workshop where there is a monstrous mess, he spends his time creating magnificent works of art. He is a man with moody, sarcastic, which is not...
- 7/9/2015
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
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