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Yeah, I know that image is the 2016 edition poster of the Skip City International Digital Cinema Festival but, hey, don't let the old poster distract you from the freshly announced lineup of the 2017 edition! Here we go! --------------------------------- Launched in 2004 as one of the world’s first film festivals to focus solely on films shot on digital in order to discover and nurture emerging talent, Skip City International D-Cinema Festival in troduced to Japan, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, winner of three awards including Palme d'Or at the Cannes International Film Festival, and numerous new Japanese talents like Kazuya Shiraishi (“Twisted Justice”) and Ryota Nakano (“Her Love Boils Bathwater”). The 14th edition of the Festival will be held over 9 days from Saturday, July 15,...

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After making his bones on the acting scene for a dozen years, appearing in films by esteemed directors like Sabu, Takashi Miike and Sion Sono, Ayano Go has finally had a breakthrough. His dramatic range and innate ability to transform himself into any number of roles finally brought accolades over the past three years, with several “newcomer” honours and this year’s Rising Star award from the New York Asian Film Festival. Ayano spoke with me about his latest films, Twisted Justice and A Bride for Rip Van Winkle, working with Japan’s legendary directors, and being a self-confessed otaku. The Lady Miz Diva: How do you feel about receiving the Star Asia Rising Star award? Ayano Go: In receiving this award I don’t consider it my...

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With an attraction to capturing the seamier side of life, director Shiraishi Kazuya came to the New York Asian Film Festival with his darkly comic tale of a corrupt cop, Twisted Justice. Director Shiraishi spoke with me about his star, Ayano Go, and the real life incidents behind the film. The Lady Miz Diva: We’ve heard about how Ayano Go gained and lost an exceptional amount of weight to play the character of Moroboshi in your film. Was that at your suggestion? Please talk about your instructions to Mr. Ayano regarding his character in Twisted Justice? Shiraishi Kazuya: I didn’t really think about what would happen if I did it this way, or directed it that way, so in order for Mr. Ayano to live...

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Exclusive: Go Ayano stars in the film crime drama based on detective Yoshiaki Inaba’s autobiography.

This year’s New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff, June 22-July 9) will open with the world premiere of Kazuya Shiraishi’s Twisted Justice, starring Go Ayano.

Based on Yoshiaki Inaba’s autobiography, the crime epic stars Ayano as Japan’s most corrupt police detective who was eventually imprisoned for drug and gun possession.

Nikkatsu is handling international sales on the film, which opens in Japan on June 25.

Shiraishi will introduce the film on the festival’s opening night with producer Yoshinori Chiba. Ayano, one of three actors being recognised at Nyaff with the Screen International Rising Star Award, will attend the festival later to accept the award.

Nyaff is also honouring Japanese filmmaker Shunji Iwai, who will receive the festival’s Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award for a 20-year career spanning films such as Love Letter (1995), All About Lily Chou-chou (2001) and...

The recipients of the Screen International Rising Star Asia awards this year are from Japan, China and the Philippines.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff, June 22 - July 9) has selected Japan’s Go Ayano, China’s Jelly Lin [pictured left] and the Philippines’ Teri Malvar [pictured right] as the recipients of the Screen International Rising Star Asia awards.

Ayano, recognised by Nyaff for his range, has recently played a Machiavellian fixer in A Bride for Rip Van Winkle, Japan’s most corrupt cop in Twisted Justice and one of three suspects of a heinous crime in murder-mystery Rage.

Jelly Lin is being recognised as a gifted comedienne for her debut in Stephen Chow’s The Mermaid. She also stars in two high-profile upcoming films: Guo Jingming’s L.O.R.D. and Tsui Hark’s sequel to Chow’s Journey To The West: Conquering The Demons.

Teri Malvar is being recognised for her performances...

Exclusive: Omnibus film was inspired by a Japanese punk band.

Japanese studio Nikkatsu has picked up international rights to omnibus film The Blue Hearts, comprising six short films inspired by the music of the iconic Japanese punk band of the same name.

The six directors contributing shorts include Takashi Shimizu (The Grudge), Ken Iizuka, Shinichi Kudo, Ten Shimoyama, Noboru Iguchi and Lee Sang-il. Cast includes Masatoshi Nagase (Mystery Train) who stars in Kudo’s segment, Frozen Expectation.

Active from 1985 to 1995, The Blue Hearts have been compared to Western bands such as the Sex Pistols and the Ramones. Some of their songs were covered in Nobuhiro Yamashita’s 2005 indie hit Linda Linda Linda.

An incomplete version of The Blue Hearts omnibus film was screened at this year’s Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival.

Nikkastu’s Cannes slate also includes Roman Porno Reboot, a series of five features from leading Japanese directors inspired by the Roman Porno genre, and Kazuya Shiraishi...

Legion: The Final Exorcism (aka Costa Chica: Confession of an Exorcist): Michael San Chica is an ex-priest. He is also an investigator documenting true events of demonic possession. When Michael comes to the rescue of the newly possessed Tatiana McMurter, daughter of a Baptist minister, he discovers that he has encountered this demon before... A demon he vowed to track down and send back to hell. Because this time it's not business… it's personal. (Artwork Is Not Final)

Legion: The Final Exorcism is rated R for some violent and bloody images.

DVD: Mti 2152 Upc # 039414521528

Cast:

David Heavener - Angel Blade, Twisted Justice, Prime Target

Roddy Piper - They Live, Pro Wrestling Legend

Ariel Teal Toombs - Shut Up and Shoot!, Lights Out

Special DVD Features: 16:9 Widescreen Format, 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, Director Interview, Interactive Menus, Scene Selection, Trailers and Optional Spanish Subtitles (DVD extra features subject to change...