Following his excellent “Routine”, Takuya Mihara’s latest short, “Zen”, moves into a completely different direction, by implementing an approach that lingers between “Tetsuo” and Masaharu Take’s “The Gun”, and not only due to the black-and-white cinematography.
“Zen” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
A newspaper guy rides his motorcycle in the night and ascends the stairs of a building, delivering them to the subscribers. When he is done, the crack of dawn is already upon him. A young woman looks from the balcony of the same building at the same time. Their gazes meet after a point, and he averts his, looking guilty of something. A man appears next to her and hugs her; she is not complaining, but is not exactly enjoying his embrace. In the next scene, the newspaper man is lying on his bed listening music on his headphones. He begins fantasizing about the girl,...
“Zen” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
A newspaper guy rides his motorcycle in the night and ascends the stairs of a building, delivering them to the subscribers. When he is done, the crack of dawn is already upon him. A young woman looks from the balcony of the same building at the same time. Their gazes meet after a point, and he averts his, looking guilty of something. A man appears next to her and hugs her; she is not complaining, but is not exactly enjoying his embrace. In the next scene, the newspaper man is lying on his bed listening music on his headphones. He begins fantasizing about the girl,...
- 1/21/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Another splendid sample of Japanese indie cinema, “100 Yen Love” depicts the contemporary life in the metropolis, which is chiefly characterized by alienation and solitude, with raw realism.
Buy This Title
Ichiko is a 32-year-old living with her parents in the first floor of the bento shop they own, while recently, her sister has also moved there with her son, due to her recent divorce. Ichiko is a true slob, spending her time playing video games with her nephew, not helping in the shop whatsoever, both facts that constantly infuriate her sister. Moreover, even if her character is flawed, her appearance is even worse, since she is permanently uncombed and unkempt, to the point of usually looking similar to a homeless person. During a fight between the sisters, matters gets out of hand, and the two of them wind up wrestling on the floor. Eventually, Ichiko is forced to move...
Buy This Title
Ichiko is a 32-year-old living with her parents in the first floor of the bento shop they own, while recently, her sister has also moved there with her son, due to her recent divorce. Ichiko is a true slob, spending her time playing video games with her nephew, not helping in the shop whatsoever, both facts that constantly infuriate her sister. Moreover, even if her character is flawed, her appearance is even worse, since she is permanently uncombed and unkempt, to the point of usually looking similar to a homeless person. During a fight between the sisters, matters gets out of hand, and the two of them wind up wrestling on the floor. Eventually, Ichiko is forced to move...
- 7/28/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Netflix had a surprise hit on their hands in 2019 with the release of the Japanese series “The Naked Director”. The story of Toru Muranishi, arguably Japan’s biggest porn director and producer, had all the traits required from a hit biopic and the strong writing and acting, not to forget the sizzling hot sex scenes, proved to be a success with Netflix’s subscribers, and a follow-up season was swiftly ordered. With that, it was also announced that the second season would also be the final, effectively being the end of the story of Toru Muranishi and his muse Kaoru Kuroki, along with everybody else at Sapphire Films, Muranishi’s company. Fast forward two years later, and the second season has finally started streaming in all its entirety.
It’s 1990 and Toru Muranishi is still his carefree self, still not giving a damn about society or authorities and still making...
It’s 1990 and Toru Muranishi is still his carefree self, still not giving a damn about society or authorities and still making...
- 7/19/2021
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Masaharu Take seems to experience his most prolific period of his career, since the remake of the 2018 original is his fourth film for 2020. In a rather strange decision, Take decided to revisit his Japanese New Wave-like aesthetics, this time from the perspective of a character that had a mostly sex-oriented part in the original.
“The Gun 2020” is screening on Japannual Film Festival in Vienna
The script is written by the author of the book the original film was based upon, Fuminori Nakamura, and revolves around Toko, a woman whose life is in complete shambles, with the people around her making her situation even worse. Toko is broke, living in apartment filled with garbage where the utilities have been cut off, and the letch owner pesters her to pay with sex for the delayed rent. At the same time, her mother does not stop mentioning to her that she should have...
“The Gun 2020” is screening on Japannual Film Festival in Vienna
The script is written by the author of the book the original film was based upon, Fuminori Nakamura, and revolves around Toko, a woman whose life is in complete shambles, with the people around her making her situation even worse. Toko is broke, living in apartment filled with garbage where the utilities have been cut off, and the letch owner pesters her to pay with sex for the delayed rent. At the same time, her mother does not stop mentioning to her that she should have...
- 10/14/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
New section introduced in response to Covid-19 travel restrictions will screen 32 films of which 25 are world premieres.
Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced the full line-up for its 33rd edition, including the 32 titles selected for its Tokyo Premiere section, introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions.
Unlike many major festivals this year, TIFF will be going forward with in-person screenings at its usual venues, but has replaced three of its major sections – Competition, Asian Future and Japanese Cinema Splash – with the new Tokyo Premiere section.
The section, which includes 25 world premieres, “has a large focus on supporting young filmmakers,...
Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced the full line-up for its 33rd edition, including the 32 titles selected for its Tokyo Premiere section, introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions.
Unlike many major festivals this year, TIFF will be going forward with in-person screenings at its usual venues, but has replaced three of its major sections – Competition, Asian Future and Japanese Cinema Splash – with the new Tokyo Premiere section.
The section, which includes 25 world premieres, “has a large focus on supporting young filmmakers,...
- 9/29/2020
- by Matt Schley
- ScreenDaily
The Tokyo International Film Festival has unveiled a smaller, more compact selection for its 33rd edition (Oct. 31-Nov. 9). Exceptionally, this year’s Tokyo festival is held in partnership with Tokyo Filmex.
Three of the Tokyo festival’s traditional main sections – competition, Asian Future and Japanese Cinema Splash – are combined in into one, Tokyo Premiere 2020. And in place of the usual awards, only one, the Audience Award, will be bestowed.
The Tokyo Premiere section includes 32 films by both veteran and rising directors. Fully 25 are world premieres, and the remaining seven Asian premieres.
Ten Japanese films will be screened in Tokyo Premiere, including: festival opener “Underdog” by Masaharu Take (“100 Yen Love”); “Hold Me Back” by Akiko Ooku (“Tremble All You Want”); and “Come and Go,” a drama by Japan-based Malaysian filmmaker Lim Kah Wai.
Foreign films include: “February,” Bulgarian director Kamen Kalev’s drama that arrives as a Cannes Label title; “After Love,...
Three of the Tokyo festival’s traditional main sections – competition, Asian Future and Japanese Cinema Splash – are combined in into one, Tokyo Premiere 2020. And in place of the usual awards, only one, the Audience Award, will be bestowed.
The Tokyo Premiere section includes 32 films by both veteran and rising directors. Fully 25 are world premieres, and the remaining seven Asian premieres.
Ten Japanese films will be screened in Tokyo Premiere, including: festival opener “Underdog” by Masaharu Take (“100 Yen Love”); “Hold Me Back” by Akiko Ooku (“Tremble All You Want”); and “Come and Go,” a drama by Japan-based Malaysian filmmaker Lim Kah Wai.
Foreign films include: “February,” Bulgarian director Kamen Kalev’s drama that arrives as a Cannes Label title; “After Love,...
- 9/29/2020
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Boxing drama Underdog is directed by Masaharu Take, while Hokusai is a biopic directed by Hajime Hashimoto.
This year’s Tokyo International Film Festival will open with Masaharu Take’s Underdog, and close with Hokusai, directed by Hajime Hashimoto and starring Yuya Yagira and Min Tanaka.
Underdog, which stars Mirai Moriyama, Takumi Kitamura and Ryo Katsuji, is Take’s first boxing-themed film since his award-winning 100 Yen Love (2014). It depicts the lives of three fighters who have been abandoned in life, as they cross fists in the ring to attempt their comebacks.
Hokusai is the story of legendary Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hokusai Katsushika,...
This year’s Tokyo International Film Festival will open with Masaharu Take’s Underdog, and close with Hokusai, directed by Hajime Hashimoto and starring Yuya Yagira and Min Tanaka.
Underdog, which stars Mirai Moriyama, Takumi Kitamura and Ryo Katsuji, is Take’s first boxing-themed film since his award-winning 100 Yen Love (2014). It depicts the lives of three fighters who have been abandoned in life, as they cross fists in the ring to attempt their comebacks.
Hokusai is the story of legendary Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hokusai Katsushika,...
- 9/10/2020
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
The Tokyo International Film Festival unveiled on Thursday the opening and closing films for its upcoming 33rd annual edition.
The event, Japan’s largest cinema occasion, will kick off on Oct. 31 with the premiere of Masaharu Take’s boxing drama Underdog, starring Mirai Moriyama, Takumi Kitamura and Ryo Katsuji. Filmmaker Hajime Hashimoto will bring the festival to a close on Nov. 9 with the world debut of Hokusai, a biopic of the great Japanese ukiyo-e painter and printmaker.
The selection of two Japanese filmmakers to bookend the programming reflects the local form the festival is expected to take under the restrictive conditions ...
The event, Japan’s largest cinema occasion, will kick off on Oct. 31 with the premiere of Masaharu Take’s boxing drama Underdog, starring Mirai Moriyama, Takumi Kitamura and Ryo Katsuji. Filmmaker Hajime Hashimoto will bring the festival to a close on Nov. 9 with the world debut of Hokusai, a biopic of the great Japanese ukiyo-e painter and printmaker.
The selection of two Japanese filmmakers to bookend the programming reflects the local form the festival is expected to take under the restrictive conditions ...
- 9/10/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Tokyo International Film Festival unveiled on Thursday the opening and closing films for its upcoming 33rd annual edition.
The event, Japan’s largest cinema occasion, will kick off on Oct. 31 with the premiere of Masaharu Take’s boxing drama Underdog, starring Mirai Moriyama, Takumi Kitamura and Ryo Katsuji. Filmmaker Hajime Hashimoto will bring the festival to a close on Nov. 9 with the world debut of Hokusai, a biopic of the great Japanese ukiyo-e painter and printmaker.
The selection of two Japanese filmmakers to bookend the programming reflects the local form the festival is expected to take under the restrictive conditions ...
The event, Japan’s largest cinema occasion, will kick off on Oct. 31 with the premiere of Masaharu Take’s boxing drama Underdog, starring Mirai Moriyama, Takumi Kitamura and Ryo Katsuji. Filmmaker Hajime Hashimoto will bring the festival to a close on Nov. 9 with the world debut of Hokusai, a biopic of the great Japanese ukiyo-e painter and printmaker.
The selection of two Japanese filmmakers to bookend the programming reflects the local form the festival is expected to take under the restrictive conditions ...
- 9/10/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The first day of theater release of “Underdog”, the latest director of Masaharu Take, director of “100 Yen Love” and “Naked Director”, will appear on November 27th, with appearances of Miki Moriyama, Takumi Kitamura and Ryo Kachichi. The special news was lifted.
Cliff boxer Akira Suenaga (Moriyama). Ryuta Omura (Kitamura), a talented young boxer who has a secret in the past but is expected to be in the future. Entertainer boxer Shun Miyagi (Kachichi) who does not fly as a performer. Three lost dogs, who have been abandoned in life, cross their fists on the ring. What are they betting and what are they fighting for? Six years have passed since “100 Yen Love”. The drama of Loser’s life in deep bottom.
Cliff boxer Akira Suenaga (Moriyama). Ryuta Omura (Kitamura), a talented young boxer who has a secret in the past but is expected to be in the future. Entertainer boxer Shun Miyagi (Kachichi) who does not fly as a performer. Three lost dogs, who have been abandoned in life, cross their fists on the ring. What are they betting and what are they fighting for? Six years have passed since “100 Yen Love”. The drama of Loser’s life in deep bottom.
- 8/5/2020
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
You can read the interview in Japanese at the end of the article
Ryo Katayama was born in Sabae, Fukui Prefecture, in 1980. After graduating from college in 2003, Katayama started a career as an actor, mainly performing in independent films. In recent years, he starred in Yu Irie’s Memoirs of a Murderer (Jc 2017) and Masaharu Take’s The Ringside Story (2017) and played the lead in Motohiro Tajima’s Devote (2016). As a director, his short films received acclaim at numerous domestic film festivals, including the Special Jury Prize at Tachikawa Meigazadori Cinema Festival in 2018 for Meisoujyushi. Roar is his directorial debut feature.
On the occasion of Roar screening at Japan Cuts, we speak with him about his original style, loneliness, Fukui, the difficulty of Japanese people to express their feelings and many other topics.
Most family dramas that come out of Japan follow the style of Hirokazu Kore-eda. You did something different,...
Ryo Katayama was born in Sabae, Fukui Prefecture, in 1980. After graduating from college in 2003, Katayama started a career as an actor, mainly performing in independent films. In recent years, he starred in Yu Irie’s Memoirs of a Murderer (Jc 2017) and Masaharu Take’s The Ringside Story (2017) and played the lead in Motohiro Tajima’s Devote (2016). As a director, his short films received acclaim at numerous domestic film festivals, including the Special Jury Prize at Tachikawa Meigazadori Cinema Festival in 2018 for Meisoujyushi. Roar is his directorial debut feature.
On the occasion of Roar screening at Japan Cuts, we speak with him about his original style, loneliness, Fukui, the difficulty of Japanese people to express their feelings and many other topics.
Most family dramas that come out of Japan follow the style of Hirokazu Kore-eda. You did something different,...
- 7/27/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The notion that possessing a firearm, for most people in a civilized society, is a rare and fascinating thing is the ideological underpinning of Japanese thriller “The Gun 2020.”
The pitch may have its limits in the U.S., but in the hands of director Masaharu Take (“100 Yen Love” “Netflix’ “The Naked Director”) the story flows from a student’s accidental discovery of a handgun, right when she needs it, through to the slaying of a neighbor, and to a police chase. Along the way the back story of both the gun and the woman become clearer.
The film stars “Shoplifters” standout Lily Franky as a detective, alongside Kyoko Hinami and Koichi Sato. It is conceived as a sequel of sorts to Take’s “The Gun” which also started with the discovery of a weapon, and was presented at the autumn 2018 edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Heading to a commercial release,...
The pitch may have its limits in the U.S., but in the hands of director Masaharu Take (“100 Yen Love” “Netflix’ “The Naked Director”) the story flows from a student’s accidental discovery of a handgun, right when she needs it, through to the slaying of a neighbor, and to a police chase. Along the way the back story of both the gun and the woman become clearer.
The film stars “Shoplifters” standout Lily Franky as a detective, alongside Kyoko Hinami and Koichi Sato. It is conceived as a sequel of sorts to Take’s “The Gun” which also started with the discovery of a weapon, and was presented at the autumn 2018 edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Heading to a commercial release,...
- 6/17/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
International premiere of “Flowers of Evil”, Hong Kong “Fagara” as the opening film, and Japanese “Bone Born Bone” at the closure of Five Flavours 13th edition!
This year, as always, the festival will provide an opportunity to discover original voices of young and recognized directors from South Korea, Bhutan, Thailand or Vietnam. We will explore the charms and ills of Japanese peripheries: its harbour cities, outskirts and marginal territories. We will watch films highly appreciated by festival juries. Special consideration will be given to Hong Kong which today is experiencing a serious political crisis: our guest will be Fruit Chan, a star of its independent cinema. However, the Programme has also a place for juicy genre cinema: horror, action, perverse comedies are an ideal remedy for the November weather in Warsaw.
Here is the Programme in its strands:
New Asian Cinema
Like every year the competition section presents challenging, daring films,...
This year, as always, the festival will provide an opportunity to discover original voices of young and recognized directors from South Korea, Bhutan, Thailand or Vietnam. We will explore the charms and ills of Japanese peripheries: its harbour cities, outskirts and marginal territories. We will watch films highly appreciated by festival juries. Special consideration will be given to Hong Kong which today is experiencing a serious political crisis: our guest will be Fruit Chan, a star of its independent cinema. However, the Programme has also a place for juicy genre cinema: horror, action, perverse comedies are an ideal remedy for the November weather in Warsaw.
Here is the Programme in its strands:
New Asian Cinema
Like every year the competition section presents challenging, daring films,...
- 10/25/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Japanese prosecutors in the rape case against Hirofumi Arai have asked for a five-year prison sentence for the actor. They made the request was made at a public hearing Wednesday in the Tokyo District Court.
Arai has pleaded innocent to charges that he sexually assaulted a woman sent to his residence from a massage service on July 1, 2018.
In its statement to the court, the prosecution contended that the victim was in “extreme physical and emotional distress” and that Arai’s payment of money after the encounter indicated “his full recognition that the woman was opposed to his desire.”
In his testimony, Arai has denied that the woman resisted his advances or that he used threats or violence.
Japanese courts have very high conviction rates. The verdict will be announced Dec. 2.
Born Kyung-Sik Park in Hirosaki, in Japan’s Aomori Prefecture, in 1979, Arai is a third-generation ethnic Korean. After debuting in “Go,...
Arai has pleaded innocent to charges that he sexually assaulted a woman sent to his residence from a massage service on July 1, 2018.
In its statement to the court, the prosecution contended that the victim was in “extreme physical and emotional distress” and that Arai’s payment of money after the encounter indicated “his full recognition that the woman was opposed to his desire.”
In his testimony, Arai has denied that the woman resisted his advances or that he used threats or violence.
Japanese courts have very high conviction rates. The verdict will be announced Dec. 2.
Born Kyung-Sik Park in Hirosaki, in Japan’s Aomori Prefecture, in 1979, Arai is a third-generation ethnic Korean. After debuting in “Go,...
- 10/24/2019
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
It Stopped Raining, which premieres in A Window On Asian Cinema, also on Gaga’s Busan slate.
Japan’s Gaga Corp has picked up international rights to Busan International Film Festival (Biff) opening film, The Horse Thieves – Roads Of Time, directed by Yerlan Nurmukhambetov and Lisa Takeba.
Gaga has worldwide rights excluding Cis, which is being handled by Julia Kim, and China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Korea and Mongolia, which are being handled by Tokyo-based Vap.
Described as a Kazakhstani Western, the film will receive its world premiere at Biff’s opening ceremony tonight (October 3). Starring Samal Yeslyamova, who won...
Japan’s Gaga Corp has picked up international rights to Busan International Film Festival (Biff) opening film, The Horse Thieves – Roads Of Time, directed by Yerlan Nurmukhambetov and Lisa Takeba.
Gaga has worldwide rights excluding Cis, which is being handled by Julia Kim, and China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Korea and Mongolia, which are being handled by Tokyo-based Vap.
Described as a Kazakhstani Western, the film will receive its world premiere at Biff’s opening ceremony tonight (October 3). Starring Samal Yeslyamova, who won...
- 10/3/2019
- by 89¦Liz Shackleton¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
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
Japanese director Masaharu Take has completed work on his new drama series “The Naked Director”. The production is based off of the career of director and actor Toru Muranishi (Takayuki Yamada), and his experiences within the Japanese adult video industry.
All episodes will become available on Netflix on August 8th, 2019. A trailer for the series has been released and can be viewed below.
Synopsis
This biopic follows the tumultuous life of director Toru Muranishi, who revolutionized the porn industry during the economic boom of 1980s Japan. (Netflix)...
All episodes will become available on Netflix on August 8th, 2019. A trailer for the series has been released and can be viewed below.
Synopsis
This biopic follows the tumultuous life of director Toru Muranishi, who revolutionized the porn industry during the economic boom of 1980s Japan. (Netflix)...
- 6/17/2019
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
From the director and scriptwriter of “100 Yen Love”, comes a rather enjoyable comedy about the world of antiques and the shenanigans of the people involved.
We Make Antiques screened at Helsinki Cine Aasia Film Festival 2018
Norio Koike is an antique dealer and a scammer (as almost every protagonist and definitely anyone in the antique world in the film) who operates from his van along with his daughter, Imari and has a tendency to believe his horoscope. One day, upon his visit to the house of a seemingly indifferent owner of antiques, he stumbles upon a truly rare piece, and proceeds on swindling his way into owning it for a very small sum, thinking he finally has the big chance he has been waiting for years.
Unfortunately, he soon finds out that he has been swindled himself by the owner, who turns out to be a failed potter named Sasuke Noda,...
We Make Antiques screened at Helsinki Cine Aasia Film Festival 2018
Norio Koike is an antique dealer and a scammer (as almost every protagonist and definitely anyone in the antique world in the film) who operates from his van along with his daughter, Imari and has a tendency to believe his horoscope. One day, upon his visit to the house of a seemingly indifferent owner of antiques, he stumbles upon a truly rare piece, and proceeds on swindling his way into owning it for a very small sum, thinking he finally has the big chance he has been waiting for years.
Unfortunately, he soon finds out that he has been swindled himself by the owner, who turns out to be a failed potter named Sasuke Noda,...
- 3/6/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
“100 yen, 100 yen, your whole life for 100 yen…”
Even though it may be a bit of a cliche, there is no denying a time of need may provide the foundation for a great story. After all, at the beginning of many stories a character needs to escape from dire circumstances in order to achieve something in the world, to fulfill a dream or to fight odds which have seemed insurmountable at first. Masaharu Take’s “100 Yen Love” does not necessarily tell a success story, but one about fighting, about challenging the most dangerous enemy one can imagine: yourself.
For Japanese director Masaharu Take the beginning of the 2010s marked quite a low point in his career, which had already almost two decades by that time. Due to the economic crisis, he tells the South China Morning Post, he found himself without a job like so many of his colleagues in the industry.
Even though it may be a bit of a cliche, there is no denying a time of need may provide the foundation for a great story. After all, at the beginning of many stories a character needs to escape from dire circumstances in order to achieve something in the world, to fulfill a dream or to fight odds which have seemed insurmountable at first. Masaharu Take’s “100 Yen Love” does not necessarily tell a success story, but one about fighting, about challenging the most dangerous enemy one can imagine: yourself.
For Japanese director Masaharu Take the beginning of the 2010s marked quite a low point in his career, which had already almost two decades by that time. Due to the economic crisis, he tells the South China Morning Post, he found himself without a job like so many of his colleagues in the industry.
- 2/8/2019
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
20 of the contributors of Asian Movie Pulse have voted the 20 Best Films of 2018, resulting in what we consider a great selection, both regarding the top and the overall diversity, since the list includes films from Japan, S. Korea, China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, The Philippines Thailand, and even a France-Belgium-Luxembourg co-production with a Cambodian setting, while the genres include everything from extreme violence and mainstream films to art-house, documentaries and animation, and even a Netflix film.
Without further ado, here are the best films of 2018, in reverse order. Some films may have premiered in 2017, but since they mostly circulated in 2018, we decided to include them.
20. Buybust
All of the above make it quite clear that “BuyBust” presents a combination of “The Raid” and “The Villainess”, but I also thought that it shares some similarities with “Mad Max” particularly in the way the villains and the setting are presented. Nevertheless, in terms of presentation,...
Without further ado, here are the best films of 2018, in reverse order. Some films may have premiered in 2017, but since they mostly circulated in 2018, we decided to include them.
20. Buybust
All of the above make it quite clear that “BuyBust” presents a combination of “The Raid” and “The Villainess”, but I also thought that it shares some similarities with “Mad Max” particularly in the way the villains and the setting are presented. Nevertheless, in terms of presentation,...
- 1/3/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Winner of the Cinema Splash Award for Best Director, “The Gun” is one of the most impressive films of the year and a rather interesting turn in 2018 for Masaharu Take, whose previous film this season was the light comedy “We Make Antiques“.
The script is based on Fuminori Nakamura’s Akutagawa award winner novel “Ju” and focuses on university student Toru Nishikawa, a rather detached young man whose life turns upside down when he discovers a gun by the riverside on his way home, and decides to pick it up and keep it. Initially, the gun gives him confidence and even swagger, which allows him to end up having sex with a gorgeous woman after a double date, and at the same time to pursue a relationship with fellow student Yuko, who seems to be rather interested in him. When he finds out, though, that the gun was used in...
The script is based on Fuminori Nakamura’s Akutagawa award winner novel “Ju” and focuses on university student Toru Nishikawa, a rather detached young man whose life turns upside down when he discovers a gun by the riverside on his way home, and decides to pick it up and keep it. Initially, the gun gives him confidence and even swagger, which allows him to end up having sex with a gorgeous woman after a double date, and at the same time to pursue a relationship with fellow student Yuko, who seems to be rather interested in him. When he finds out, though, that the gun was used in...
- 12/13/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Festival’s 31st edition built bridges to China and Southeast Asia.
French director Mikhael Hers’ Amanda was awarded the Tokyo Grand Prix at the close of this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff), while A First Farewell from China’s Lina Wang won best film in the Asian Future competition.
Amanda, about a young man who looks after his niece following his sister’s sudden death, also took the Wowow-sponsored best screenplay award. Danish drama Before The Frost took the Special Jury Prize and best actor for Jesper Christensen. Best director went to Italian filmmaker Edoardo De Angelis for The Vice Of Hope,...
French director Mikhael Hers’ Amanda was awarded the Tokyo Grand Prix at the close of this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff), while A First Farewell from China’s Lina Wang won best film in the Asian Future competition.
Amanda, about a young man who looks after his niece following his sister’s sudden death, also took the Wowow-sponsored best screenplay award. Danish drama Before The Frost took the Special Jury Prize and best actor for Jesper Christensen. Best director went to Italian filmmaker Edoardo De Angelis for The Vice Of Hope,...
- 11/2/2018
- ScreenDaily
The Mikhael Hers-directed drama “Amanda,” about a man who ends up caring for his seven-year-old niece when her mother is killed, was awarded the Tokyo Grand Prix at the Tokyo International Film Festival’s closing ceremony today. The film also took the best screenplay award in the festival 31st edition, which runs Oct. 25 to Nov. 3.
“Amanda” premiered in competition at this year’s Venice Film Festival. But it left without a prize. It will release in Japan next year, through distributor Bitters End, the director said in a video message.
The second-place special jury prize went to Michael Noer’s “Before the Frost.” Unfolding in the 19th Century Danish countryside, the film previously screened in the contemporary world cinema section at Toronto.
Italy’s Edoardo De Angelis was named best director for “The Vice of Hope,” a drama set in the Naples sex industry. The best actress honors went to Pina Turco,...
“Amanda” premiered in competition at this year’s Venice Film Festival. But it left without a prize. It will release in Japan next year, through distributor Bitters End, the director said in a video message.
The second-place special jury prize went to Michael Noer’s “Before the Frost.” Unfolding in the 19th Century Danish countryside, the film previously screened in the contemporary world cinema section at Toronto.
Italy’s Edoardo De Angelis was named best director for “The Vice of Hope,” a drama set in the Naples sex industry. The best actress honors went to Pina Turco,...
- 11/2/2018
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Takayuki Yamada, who has starred in everything from commercial actioners (“Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure”) and arthouse dramas (“The Devil’s Path”) to the popular “Ushijima the Loan Shark” series, is to star in a new Netflix original show, “Naked Director.” The drama series focuses on notorious 1980s porn director, Toru Muranishi.
The series is based on Nobuhiro Motohashi’s book of reportage about Muranishi’s life and career in bubble-era Japan “Zenra Kantoku Muranishi Toru Den.” The series features Yamada as the scapegrace hero, a seven-time convicted criminal and self-described “king of porn.” Masaharu Take, whose credits include the 2014 festival-favorite boxing drama “100 Yen Love,” will serve as the director.
“For years people have been asking me if I’d like to direct, but my reply was always ‘only if I find the right project,” Yamada said. “Now I’ve found a nicer answer: ‘Yamada will be a porn director’.” The...
The series is based on Nobuhiro Motohashi’s book of reportage about Muranishi’s life and career in bubble-era Japan “Zenra Kantoku Muranishi Toru Den.” The series features Yamada as the scapegrace hero, a seven-time convicted criminal and self-described “king of porn.” Masaharu Take, whose credits include the 2014 festival-favorite boxing drama “100 Yen Love,” will serve as the director.
“For years people have been asking me if I’d like to direct, but my reply was always ‘only if I find the right project,” Yamada said. “Now I’ve found a nicer answer: ‘Yamada will be a porn director’.” The...
- 10/26/2018
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
The Tiffcom market, a sales event adjacent to the Tokyo International Film Festival, always includes the latest film launches from Japan. This year the selection is especially varied and rich. Arranged by sales company, highlights include:
Kadokawa
“Chiwawa”
Scripted and directed by Ken Ninomiya, this mystery about a 20-year-old Instagram star who ends up dead in Tokyo Bay, is based on a popular comic. It features a cast that includes the internationally known Chiaki Kuriyama (“Kill Bill”) and Tadanobu Asano (“The Third Murder”).
“Hard-Core”
Festival favorite, Nobuhiro Yamashita has adapted a cult hit comic about a pair of misfits who are inseparable friends. They encounter a retro-looking robot with astonishing powers, and together embark on a bizarre hunt for long-buried treasure.
“The Antique: Secret of the Old Books”
Yukiko Mishima, director of the acclaimed 2017 drama “Dear Etranger,” has returned with a literary mystery, based on En Mikami’s best-selling novel.
Kadokawa
“Chiwawa”
Scripted and directed by Ken Ninomiya, this mystery about a 20-year-old Instagram star who ends up dead in Tokyo Bay, is based on a popular comic. It features a cast that includes the internationally known Chiaki Kuriyama (“Kill Bill”) and Tadanobu Asano (“The Third Murder”).
“Hard-Core”
Festival favorite, Nobuhiro Yamashita has adapted a cult hit comic about a pair of misfits who are inseparable friends. They encounter a retro-looking robot with astonishing powers, and together embark on a bizarre hunt for long-buried treasure.
“The Antique: Secret of the Old Books”
Yukiko Mishima, director of the acclaimed 2017 drama “Dear Etranger,” has returned with a literary mystery, based on En Mikami’s best-selling novel.
- 10/23/2018
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Romantic drama is directed by Akiko Oku, whose last film won the audience award at Tiff 2017.
Japan’s Free Stone Productions has sold romantic comedy Marriage Hunting Beauty to China’s Lemon Tree Media and CatchPlay for Taiwan.
Based on a popular web comic, the film is directed by Akiko Oku whose last film, Tremble All You Want, won the audience award at last year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff).
Mei Kurokawa heads the cast of the film, playing a web designer in her 30s, who tries online dating to find a husband, but finds herself torn between an...
Japan’s Free Stone Productions has sold romantic comedy Marriage Hunting Beauty to China’s Lemon Tree Media and CatchPlay for Taiwan.
Based on a popular web comic, the film is directed by Akiko Oku whose last film, Tremble All You Want, won the audience award at last year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff).
Mei Kurokawa heads the cast of the film, playing a web designer in her 30s, who tries online dating to find a husband, but finds herself torn between an...
- 10/23/2018
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Total of 16 titles set for this year’s Competition line-up.
Tokyo International Film Festival has announced the 16 titles that will compete in its International Competition, including the world premieres of His Master’s Voice, from Hungary’s Gyorgy Palfi, Fruit Chan’s Three Husbands, Veit Helmer’s The Bra and Liu Hao’s The Poet.
Tiff’s competition line-up will also include the world premieres of two Japanese titles – Junji Sakamoto’s Another World and Rikiya Imaizumi’s Just Only Love (see full line-up below).
Leading Philippines filmmaker Brillante Ma Mendoza is heading this year’s Competition jury, which also comprises Us producer Bryan Burk,...
Tokyo International Film Festival has announced the 16 titles that will compete in its International Competition, including the world premieres of His Master’s Voice, from Hungary’s Gyorgy Palfi, Fruit Chan’s Three Husbands, Veit Helmer’s The Bra and Liu Hao’s The Poet.
Tiff’s competition line-up will also include the world premieres of two Japanese titles – Junji Sakamoto’s Another World and Rikiya Imaizumi’s Just Only Love (see full line-up below).
Leading Philippines filmmaker Brillante Ma Mendoza is heading this year’s Competition jury, which also comprises Us producer Bryan Burk,...
- 9/25/2018
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
From the director and scriptwriter of “100 Yen Love”, comes a rather enjoyable comedy about the world of antiques and the shenanigans of the people involved.
Norio Koike is an antique dealer and a scammer (as almost every protagonist and definitely anyone in the antique world in the film) who operates from his van along with his daughter, Imari and has a tendency to believe his horoscope. One day, upon his visit to the house of a seemingly indifferent owner of antiques, he stumbles upon a truly rare piece, and proceeds on swindling his way into owning it for a very small sum, thinking he finally has the big chance he has been waiting for years.
We Make Antiques is screening at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival
Unfortunately, he soon finds out that he has been swindled himself by the owner, who turns out to be a failed potter named Sasuke Noda,...
Norio Koike is an antique dealer and a scammer (as almost every protagonist and definitely anyone in the antique world in the film) who operates from his van along with his daughter, Imari and has a tendency to believe his horoscope. One day, upon his visit to the house of a seemingly indifferent owner of antiques, he stumbles upon a truly rare piece, and proceeds on swindling his way into owning it for a very small sum, thinking he finally has the big chance he has been waiting for years.
We Make Antiques is screening at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival
Unfortunately, he soon finds out that he has been swindled himself by the owner, who turns out to be a failed potter named Sasuke Noda,...
- 6/24/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
For 10 years, Five Flavours Film Festival has been presenting the best cinema from Asia, its meanings and contexts. Initially, the Festival focused solely on Vietnamese films, but it evolved to become a yearly review of the cinema of East and Southeast Asia, the only such event in the country.
The 10th edition is held in Warsaw, on November 16-23 (Muranów and Kinoteka cinemas), and in Wrocław on November 18-24 (New Horizons Cinema).
This year’s edition of Five Flavours is the biggest in history – it presents over 40 productions. The program combines artistic and commercial cinema, allowing the audience to experience the best Asian films have to offer. On the one hand, there are the intimate stories with a social angle, on the other – fresh, innovative blockbusters, filled with the sheer joy of cinematic creation, attracting millions of viewers in their homelands.
Three
This diversity is already visible in the choice...
The 10th edition is held in Warsaw, on November 16-23 (Muranów and Kinoteka cinemas), and in Wrocław on November 18-24 (New Horizons Cinema).
This year’s edition of Five Flavours is the biggest in history – it presents over 40 productions. The program combines artistic and commercial cinema, allowing the audience to experience the best Asian films have to offer. On the one hand, there are the intimate stories with a social angle, on the other – fresh, innovative blockbusters, filled with the sheer joy of cinematic creation, attracting millions of viewers in their homelands.
Three
This diversity is already visible in the choice...
- 10/28/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The award ceremony was held on February 7th in the Yokohama Kannai Hall and the winners were:
Best Film: Our Little Sister (Hirokazu Koreeda)
Best Director: Hirokazu Koreeda (Our Little Sister) Ryosuke Hashiguchi (Three stories of Love)
Yoshimitsu Morita Memorial Best New Director: Daishi Matsunaga(Pieta in the Toilet)
Best Screenplay: Shin Adachi (100 Yen Love, Obon Brothers)
Best Cinematographer: Mikiya Takemoto (Our Little Sister)
Best Actor: Masatoshi Nagase (Sweet Red Bean Paste) Kiyohiko Shibukawa (Obon Brothers, Areno)
Best Actress: Haruka Ayase (Our Little Sister)
Best Supporting Actor: Ken Mitsuishi (Obon Brothers, Three stories of Love)
Best Supporting Actress: Aoba Kawai (Obon Brothers, Kabukicho Love Hotel)
Best New Talent:Suzu Hirose (Our Little Sister) Hana Sugisaki (Pieta in the Toilet, The Pearls of the Stone Man) Ryoko Fujino (Solomon’s Perjury)
Special Jury Prize: The cast and staff of Bakuman
Special Grand Prize: Kirin Kiki
Top Ten Movies:
1. Our Little Sister...
Best Film: Our Little Sister (Hirokazu Koreeda)
Best Director: Hirokazu Koreeda (Our Little Sister) Ryosuke Hashiguchi (Three stories of Love)
Yoshimitsu Morita Memorial Best New Director: Daishi Matsunaga(Pieta in the Toilet)
Best Screenplay: Shin Adachi (100 Yen Love, Obon Brothers)
Best Cinematographer: Mikiya Takemoto (Our Little Sister)
Best Actor: Masatoshi Nagase (Sweet Red Bean Paste) Kiyohiko Shibukawa (Obon Brothers, Areno)
Best Actress: Haruka Ayase (Our Little Sister)
Best Supporting Actor: Ken Mitsuishi (Obon Brothers, Three stories of Love)
Best Supporting Actress: Aoba Kawai (Obon Brothers, Kabukicho Love Hotel)
Best New Talent:Suzu Hirose (Our Little Sister) Hana Sugisaki (Pieta in the Toilet, The Pearls of the Stone Man) Ryoko Fujino (Solomon’s Perjury)
Special Jury Prize: The cast and staff of Bakuman
Special Grand Prize: Kirin Kiki
Top Ten Movies:
1. Our Little Sister...
- 2/8/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Films from 81 countries have been subitted for this year’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.
The Us Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that 81 countries have submitted films for consideration for this year’s Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Film.
Paraguay is the only first-time entrant.
The figure is down on last year, when a record 83 countries submitted features and the eventual winner was Polish feature Ida, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski.
Nine finalists will be shortlisted, which will be whittled down to five nominees that will be announced on Jan 14, 2016.
The 88th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Feb 28, 2016, televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
The 2015 submissions are:
Afghanistan Utopia, Hassan Nazer
Albania Bota, Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci
Algeria Twilight of Shadows, Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina
Argentina The Clan, Pablo Trapero
Australia Arrows of the Thunder, Dragon Greg Sneddon
Austria Goodnight Mommy, Veronika Franz, [link...
The Us Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that 81 countries have submitted films for consideration for this year’s Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Film.
Paraguay is the only first-time entrant.
The figure is down on last year, when a record 83 countries submitted features and the eventual winner was Polish feature Ida, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski.
Nine finalists will be shortlisted, which will be whittled down to five nominees that will be announced on Jan 14, 2016.
The 88th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Feb 28, 2016, televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
The 2015 submissions are:
Afghanistan Utopia, Hassan Nazer
Albania Bota, Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci
Algeria Twilight of Shadows, Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina
Argentina The Clan, Pablo Trapero
Australia Arrows of the Thunder, Dragon Greg Sneddon
Austria Goodnight Mommy, Veronika Franz, [link...
- 10/8/2015
- ScreenDaily
Films from 81 countries have been subitted for this year’s Foreign Language Film Oscar, among them Felix and Meira, Under Milk Wood, Labyrinth of Lies and Sunstroke (click through for full list).
The Us Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that 81 countries have submitted films for consideration for this year’s Foreign Language Film Oscar.
Paraguay is the only first-time entrant.
The 2015 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Utopia,” Hassan Nazer, director.
Albania, “Bota,” Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci, directors.
Algeria, “Twilight of Shadows,” Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina, director.
Argentina: “The Clan,” Pablo Trapero, director.
Australia: “Arrows of the Thunder Dragon,” Greg Sneddon, director.
Austria, “Goodnight Mommy,” Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala, directors;
Bangladesh, “Jalal’s Story,” Abu Shahed Emon, director;
Belgium, “The Brand New Testament,” Jaco Van Dormael, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Our Everyday Story,” Ines Tanović, director;
Brazil, “The Second Mother,” Anna Muylaert, director;
Bulgaria, “The Judgment,” Stephan Komandarev, director;
Cambodia, “The Last Reel,” Sotho...
The Us Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that 81 countries have submitted films for consideration for this year’s Foreign Language Film Oscar.
Paraguay is the only first-time entrant.
The 2015 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Utopia,” Hassan Nazer, director.
Albania, “Bota,” Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci, directors.
Algeria, “Twilight of Shadows,” Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina, director.
Argentina: “The Clan,” Pablo Trapero, director.
Australia: “Arrows of the Thunder Dragon,” Greg Sneddon, director.
Austria, “Goodnight Mommy,” Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala, directors;
Bangladesh, “Jalal’s Story,” Abu Shahed Emon, director;
Belgium, “The Brand New Testament,” Jaco Van Dormael, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Our Everyday Story,” Ines Tanović, director;
Brazil, “The Second Mother,” Anna Muylaert, director;
Bulgaria, “The Judgment,” Stephan Komandarev, director;
Cambodia, “The Last Reel,” Sotho...
- 10/8/2015
- ScreenDaily
Films from 81 countries have been subitted for this year’s Foreign Language Film Oscar, among them Felix and Meira, Under Milk Wood, Labyrinth of Lies and Sunstroke (click through for full list).
The Us Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that 81 countries have submitted films for consideration for this year’s Foreign Language Film Oscar.
Paraguay is the only first-time entrant.
The 2015 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Utopia,” Hassan Nazer, director.
Albania, “Bota,” Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci, directors.
Algeria, “Twilight of Shadows,” Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina, director.
Argentina: “The Clan,” Pablo Trapero, director.
Australia: “Arrows of the Thunder Dragon,” Greg Sneddon, director.
Austria, “Goodnight Mommy,” Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala, directors;
Bangladesh, “Jalal’s Story,” Abu Shahed Emon, director;
Belgium, “The Brand New Testament,” Jaco Van Dormael, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Our Everyday Story,” Ines Tanović, director;
Brazil, “The Second Mother,” Anna Muylaert, director;
Bulgaria, “The Judgment,” Stephan Komandarev, director;
Cambodia, “The Last Reel,” Sotho...
The Us Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that 81 countries have submitted films for consideration for this year’s Foreign Language Film Oscar.
Paraguay is the only first-time entrant.
The 2015 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Utopia,” Hassan Nazer, director.
Albania, “Bota,” Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci, directors.
Algeria, “Twilight of Shadows,” Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina, director.
Argentina: “The Clan,” Pablo Trapero, director.
Australia: “Arrows of the Thunder Dragon,” Greg Sneddon, director.
Austria, “Goodnight Mommy,” Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala, directors;
Bangladesh, “Jalal’s Story,” Abu Shahed Emon, director;
Belgium, “The Brand New Testament,” Jaco Van Dormael, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Our Everyday Story,” Ines Tanović, director;
Brazil, “The Second Mother,” Anna Muylaert, director;
Bulgaria, “The Judgment,” Stephan Komandarev, director;
Cambodia, “The Last Reel,” Sotho...
- 10/8/2015
- ScreenDaily
Writer-director-producer Greg Sneddon.s Bhutan-set drama Arrows of the Thunder Dragon is Australia.s entry for the best foreign language film Oscar.
Set in the 1970s, the story follows brother and sister Kuenphen and Jamyang who live in a remote Bhutanese village where they learn traditional archery from their old warrior grandfather.
Their mother's sudden sickness gives Kuenphen the opportunity to explore the world outside the village while Jamyang must stay home to weave, cook and get married- a fate she is not willing to accept without a fight.
The self-financed film was shot on location in the Himalayan mountains with a cast of local highland village people and a Bhutanese crew including DoP Leki Dorji, none of whom had worked on a feature. Jill Bilock is the editor.
"I'm thrilled to bits," Sneddon tell If. A former Buddhist monk, he got the idea for the film while on a pilgrimage to the country.
Set in the 1970s, the story follows brother and sister Kuenphen and Jamyang who live in a remote Bhutanese village where they learn traditional archery from their old warrior grandfather.
Their mother's sudden sickness gives Kuenphen the opportunity to explore the world outside the village while Jamyang must stay home to weave, cook and get married- a fate she is not willing to accept without a fight.
The self-financed film was shot on location in the Himalayan mountains with a cast of local highland village people and a Bhutanese crew including DoP Leki Dorji, none of whom had worked on a feature. Jill Bilock is the editor.
"I'm thrilled to bits," Sneddon tell If. A former Buddhist monk, he got the idea for the film while on a pilgrimage to the country.
- 10/8/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Son Of Saul
The Academy has announced that eighty-one countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 88th Oscars.
The Holocaust drama, Son Of Saul, won the Grand Prix at Cannes in May.
Paraguay is a first-time entrant.
The 2015 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Utopia,” Hassan Nazer, director;
Albania, “Bota,” Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci, directors;
Algeria, “Twilight of Shadows,” Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina, director;
Argentina, “The Clan,” Pablo Trapero, director;
Australia, “Arrows of the Thunder Dragon,” Greg Sneddon, director;
Austria, “Goodnight Mommy,” Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala, directors;
Bangladesh, “Jalal’s Story,” Abu Shahed Emon, director;
Belgium, “The Brand New Testament,” Jaco Van Dormael, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Our Everyday Story,” Ines Tanović, director;
Brazil, “The Second Mother,” Anna Muylaert, director;
Bulgaria, “The Judgment,” Stephan Komandarev, director;
Cambodia, “The Last Reel,” Sotho Kulikar, director;
Canada, “Félix and Meira,” Maxime Giroux, director;
Chile, “The Club,” Pablo Larraín, director;
China,...
The Academy has announced that eighty-one countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 88th Oscars.
The Holocaust drama, Son Of Saul, won the Grand Prix at Cannes in May.
Paraguay is a first-time entrant.
The 2015 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Utopia,” Hassan Nazer, director;
Albania, “Bota,” Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci, directors;
Algeria, “Twilight of Shadows,” Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina, director;
Argentina, “The Clan,” Pablo Trapero, director;
Australia, “Arrows of the Thunder Dragon,” Greg Sneddon, director;
Austria, “Goodnight Mommy,” Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala, directors;
Bangladesh, “Jalal’s Story,” Abu Shahed Emon, director;
Belgium, “The Brand New Testament,” Jaco Van Dormael, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Our Everyday Story,” Ines Tanović, director;
Brazil, “The Second Mother,” Anna Muylaert, director;
Bulgaria, “The Judgment,” Stephan Komandarev, director;
Cambodia, “The Last Reel,” Sotho Kulikar, director;
Canada, “Félix and Meira,” Maxime Giroux, director;
Chile, “The Club,” Pablo Larraín, director;
China,...
- 10/8/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Entries for the Best Foreign-Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards.
Submissions for the Best Foreign-Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards are coming in and will continue until October, when the full list of eligible submissions will be revealed.
Last year, a record 83 countries submitted features and the eventual winner was Polish feature Ida, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski.
This year’s nominations must be submitted by Oct 1.
Nine finalists will be shortlisted, which will be whittled down to five nominees that will be announced on Jan 14, 2016.
The 88th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Feb 28, 2016.
Afghanistan: Utopia, Hassan Nazer
Albania: Bota, Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci
Austria: Goodnight Mommy, Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz
Bangladesh: Jalal’s Story, Abu Shahed Emon
Belgium: The Brand New Testament, Jaco Van Dormael
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Our Everyday Life, Ines Tanović
Brazil: The Second Mother, Anna Muylaert
Bulgaria: The Judgement, Stephan Komandarev
Cambodia:...
Submissions for the Best Foreign-Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards are coming in and will continue until October, when the full list of eligible submissions will be revealed.
Last year, a record 83 countries submitted features and the eventual winner was Polish feature Ida, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski.
This year’s nominations must be submitted by Oct 1.
Nine finalists will be shortlisted, which will be whittled down to five nominees that will be announced on Jan 14, 2016.
The 88th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Feb 28, 2016.
Afghanistan: Utopia, Hassan Nazer
Albania: Bota, Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci
Austria: Goodnight Mommy, Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz
Bangladesh: Jalal’s Story, Abu Shahed Emon
Belgium: The Brand New Testament, Jaco Van Dormael
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Our Everyday Life, Ines Tanović
Brazil: The Second Mother, Anna Muylaert
Bulgaria: The Judgement, Stephan Komandarev
Cambodia:...
- 9/25/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
South Korea, Japan, China and Taiwan recently announced their submissions to the Oscars for the Best Foreign Language Film. Since 2008, when ‘Departures’ won the award, none of the later contestants has been nominated. This year though, at least the Taiwanese entry has high hopes.
The Korean Film Council (Kofic) submitted The Throne, a Joseon-era movie concerning king Yeong Jo, who locked his son, Prince Santo, in a chest, leaving him to die from asphyxiation. Directed by Lee Joon Ik, whose 2006 costume drama, The King and the Clown was also submitted, the film features Song Kang Ho as the king. The Throne was released in Korea in September 16.
The Motion Pictures Producers Association of Japan submitted 100 Yen Love, about a slacker girl, her relationship with a boxer and her taking up of boxing. Masaharu Take directs and Sakura Ando is the main lead, in a role that has netted her Best Actress...
The Korean Film Council (Kofic) submitted The Throne, a Joseon-era movie concerning king Yeong Jo, who locked his son, Prince Santo, in a chest, leaving him to die from asphyxiation. Directed by Lee Joon Ik, whose 2006 costume drama, The King and the Clown was also submitted, the film features Song Kang Ho as the king. The Throne was released in Korea in September 16.
The Motion Pictures Producers Association of Japan submitted 100 Yen Love, about a slacker girl, her relationship with a boxer and her taking up of boxing. Masaharu Take directs and Sakura Ando is the main lead, in a role that has netted her Best Actress...
- 9/18/2015
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Best Foreign Language Film Oscar 2016: 'Viva' with Héctor Medina. Multicultural Best Foreign Language Film Oscar 2016 submissions Nearly ten years ago, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences changed a key rule regarding entries for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar;* since then, things have gotten quite colorful. Just yesterday, Sept. 16, '15, Ireland submitted Paddy Breathnach's Viva – a Cuban-set drama spoken in Spanish. And why not? To name a couple more “multicultural and multinational” entries this year alone: China's submission, with dialogue in Mandarin and Mongolian, is Wolf Totem, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud – a Frenchman. And Germany's entry, Labyrinth of Lies, was directed by Giulio Ricciarelli, who happens to be a German-based, Italian-born stage and TV actor. 'Viva': Sexual identity in 21st-century Cuba Executive produced by Best Supporting Actor Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro (Traffic), Viva tells the story of an 18-year-old Havana drag-club worker,...
- 9/17/2015
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
Japan has submitted Masaharu Take’s sports drama 100 Yen Love as its candidate for Best Foreign-Language Film at the Academy Awards, the country’s Motion Picture Producers Association announced.
Starring Sakura Ando, the film revolves around an introverted clerk at a 100 yen store who takes up boxing after she befriends a local fighter.
The film premiered last October at the Tokyo International Film Festival and took the best film prize in the festival’s Japanese Cinema Splash section for independent films.
If shortlisted by the Academy, it would be Japan’s first foreign-language Oscar nomination since 2009, when Yojiro Takita’s Departures went on to win the award.
The announcement of the five foreign-language films nominated for the Oscars is made on Jan 14, 2016.
The 88th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Feb 28, 2016.
Starring Sakura Ando, the film revolves around an introverted clerk at a 100 yen store who takes up boxing after she befriends a local fighter.
The film premiered last October at the Tokyo International Film Festival and took the best film prize in the festival’s Japanese Cinema Splash section for independent films.
If shortlisted by the Academy, it would be Japan’s first foreign-language Oscar nomination since 2009, when Yojiro Takita’s Departures went on to win the award.
The announcement of the five foreign-language films nominated for the Oscars is made on Jan 14, 2016.
The 88th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Feb 28, 2016.
- 9/4/2015
- ScreenDaily
Horror, fantasy, Hong Kong action, animation, strange documentaries, thought-provoking science-fiction, Japanese new wave and martial arts are just among the many genres the Fantasia Film Festival covered in its nineteenth year of programming. Famous for being the largest genre film festival in North America, Fantasia is packed with Canadian, North American and worldwide feature-length premieres as well as shorts. This year’s line-up included 22 World Premieres, 13 International Premieres, and 21 North American Premieres including Marvel’s Ant-Man, the animated Miss Hokusai and the much-anticipated Attack on Titan. As of Wednesday night, August 5th 2015, the most recent edition of the festival will be a thing of the past.
With over 130 films screened in 23 days, it’s impossible to see them all. This year, I tried my best to pace myself. Long gone are the days where I would cram in 3 or 4 movies in a day. Maybe I’m getting old and...
With over 130 films screened in 23 days, it’s impossible to see them all. This year, I tried my best to pace myself. Long gone are the days where I would cram in 3 or 4 movies in a day. Maybe I’m getting old and...
- 8/5/2015
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
100 Yen Love
Written by Shin Adachi
Directed by Masaharu Take
Japan, 2014
In some ways, the Japanese director Masaharu Take’s 100 Yen Love feels about as old-hat as the 12/8, bluesy guitar music which makes up the bulk of the film’s score: it’s yet another boxing drama about an outcast who finds herself in the ring. There’s nothing in the story we haven’t heard before, and, like the music, its willingness to rehash cliches makes it risk self-parody. But conveying art through established traditions can have a certain nostalgic charm, and both the music and the film it provides the soundtrack for play off tropes to create a crowd-pleaser which oozes appeal.
A large part of that appeal comes from Sakura Ando, who gives a captivating performance as Ichiko, a 32 year-old virgin who lives with her parents and gets into violent fights with her recently divorced sister. She...
Written by Shin Adachi
Directed by Masaharu Take
Japan, 2014
In some ways, the Japanese director Masaharu Take’s 100 Yen Love feels about as old-hat as the 12/8, bluesy guitar music which makes up the bulk of the film’s score: it’s yet another boxing drama about an outcast who finds herself in the ring. There’s nothing in the story we haven’t heard before, and, like the music, its willingness to rehash cliches makes it risk self-parody. But conveying art through established traditions can have a certain nostalgic charm, and both the music and the film it provides the soundtrack for play off tropes to create a crowd-pleaser which oozes appeal.
A large part of that appeal comes from Sakura Ando, who gives a captivating performance as Ichiko, a 32 year-old virgin who lives with her parents and gets into violent fights with her recently divorced sister. She...
- 7/23/2015
- by Max Bledstein
- SoundOnSight
Japan Cuts 2015 opens in New York today and runs through July 19. We've got the trailer and we're collecting review of the new restorations of Eiichi Yamamoto's Belladonna of Sadness (1973) and Nagisa Oshima’s Cruel Story of Youth (1961); Shingo Wakagi's Asleep and Masaharu Take's 100 Yen Love, both starring Sakura Ando; Juichiro Yamasaki's Sanchu Uprising: Voices at Dawn; Takahisa Zeze's Strayer's Chronicle; Yuya Ishii's The Vancouver Asahi; two collections of experimental films—and more. » - David Hudson...
- 7/9/2015
- Fandor: Keyframe
Japan Cuts 2015 opens in New York today and runs through July 19. We've got the trailer and we're collecting review of the new restorations of Eiichi Yamamoto's Belladonna of Sadness (1973) and Nagisa Oshima’s Cruel Story of Youth (1961); Shingo Wakagi's Asleep and Masaharu Take's 100 Yen Love, both starring Sakura Ando; Juichiro Yamasaki's Sanchu Uprising: Voices at Dawn; Takahisa Zeze's Strayer's Chronicle; Yuya Ishii's The Vancouver Asahi; two collections of experimental films—and more. » - David Hudson...
- 7/9/2015
- Keyframe
Montreal’s genre film festival to showcase 135 features and almost 300 shorts across its three-week run from July 14-Aug 4.Scroll down for line-up
Fantasia International Film Festival has unveiled its full line-up for its upcoming 19th edition which kicks off next Tuesday [July 14].
Over its three-week run, the Montreal-based genre film festival will showcase 135 features, including 22 world, 13 international premieres and 21 North American premieres, and almost 300 short films.
Shinji Higuchi’s Attack on Titan will receive its Canadian premiere as the closing film of this year’s edition on Aug 4. The live-action film is based on Hajime Isyama’s steampunk fantasy war opera manga series.
Additional highlights of the final wave of titles include the world premieres of Malik Bader’s thriller Cash Only and Ken Ochiai’s Ninja the Monster, as well as the Canadian premiere of Jonathan Milott & Cary Murnion’s horror comedy Cooties starring Elijah Wood.
A trio of Sion Sono films will also be shown at this...
Fantasia International Film Festival has unveiled its full line-up for its upcoming 19th edition which kicks off next Tuesday [July 14].
Over its three-week run, the Montreal-based genre film festival will showcase 135 features, including 22 world, 13 international premieres and 21 North American premieres, and almost 300 short films.
Shinji Higuchi’s Attack on Titan will receive its Canadian premiere as the closing film of this year’s edition on Aug 4. The live-action film is based on Hajime Isyama’s steampunk fantasy war opera manga series.
Additional highlights of the final wave of titles include the world premieres of Malik Bader’s thriller Cash Only and Ken Ochiai’s Ninja the Monster, as well as the Canadian premiere of Jonathan Milott & Cary Murnion’s horror comedy Cooties starring Elijah Wood.
A trio of Sion Sono films will also be shown at this...
- 7/7/2015
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
The 19th Annual Fantasia Film Festival is only a week away, beginning July 14 and running through August 4. And as promised for today, they’ve revealed their full line-up of films screening at 2015’s festival in Montreal.
This year’s line-up boasts 22 World Premieres, 13 International Premieres, and 21 North American Premieres. Both Marvel’s Ant-Man and the animated Miss Hokusai were previously announced, but now they’ve added the much anticipated Attack on Titan movie as their closing night film. Other highlights include the Sundance darlings Cooties, starring Elijah Wood and Rainn Wilson, Cop Car, starring Kevin Bacon and directed by the upcoming Spider-man director Jon Watts, and a trio of films from horror auteur Sion Sono.
See the full line-up announcement of films below via Fantasia’s Facebook page, and be sure to check out their website at fantasiafestival.com for additional information.
****
Fantasia 2015:
36 Countries, 135 Features, and Nearly 300 Short Films
- Including 22 World Premieres,...
This year’s line-up boasts 22 World Premieres, 13 International Premieres, and 21 North American Premieres. Both Marvel’s Ant-Man and the animated Miss Hokusai were previously announced, but now they’ve added the much anticipated Attack on Titan movie as their closing night film. Other highlights include the Sundance darlings Cooties, starring Elijah Wood and Rainn Wilson, Cop Car, starring Kevin Bacon and directed by the upcoming Spider-man director Jon Watts, and a trio of films from horror auteur Sion Sono.
See the full line-up announcement of films below via Fantasia’s Facebook page, and be sure to check out their website at fantasiafestival.com for additional information.
****
Fantasia 2015:
36 Countries, 135 Features, and Nearly 300 Short Films
- Including 22 World Premieres,...
- 7/7/2015
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
Ewan McGregor, Jane Seymour, Malcolm McDowell and Hong Kong director Johnnie To among the guests set to attend the festival.Scroll down for competition titles
The line-up for the 69th Edinburgh International Film Festival (Eiff) has been unveiled this morning by new artistic director Mark Adams.
This year’s Eiff (June 17-28) will comprise 164 features from 36 countries, including 24 world premieres, eight international premieres, 16 European premieres and 84 UK premieres.
Highlights including the UK premiere of Asif Kapadia’s documentary Amy, about the life of singer Amy Winehouse; the latest Disney-Pixar animation Inside Out; Arnold Schwarzenegger in zombie drama Maggie; comedy The D-Train, starring Jack Black and James Marsden; and a biopic of The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, Love & Mercy, in which John Cusack and Paul Dano play different aged versions of the musician.
Classic Screenings will include a rare outing for Noel Marshall’s Roar, a cult 1981 big cat movie.
Star power
This year’s Eiff will present...
The line-up for the 69th Edinburgh International Film Festival (Eiff) has been unveiled this morning by new artistic director Mark Adams.
This year’s Eiff (June 17-28) will comprise 164 features from 36 countries, including 24 world premieres, eight international premieres, 16 European premieres and 84 UK premieres.
Highlights including the UK premiere of Asif Kapadia’s documentary Amy, about the life of singer Amy Winehouse; the latest Disney-Pixar animation Inside Out; Arnold Schwarzenegger in zombie drama Maggie; comedy The D-Train, starring Jack Black and James Marsden; and a biopic of The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, Love & Mercy, in which John Cusack and Paul Dano play different aged versions of the musician.
Classic Screenings will include a rare outing for Noel Marshall’s Roar, a cult 1981 big cat movie.
Star power
This year’s Eiff will present...
- 5/27/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
The Centerpiece Presentation of this year's Japan Cuts in New York will be the North American premieres of Shingo Wakagi's Asleep and Masaharu Take’s 100 Yen Love. The star of both films, Sakura Ando, is also this year’s honored recipient of the Cut Above Award for Outstanding Performance in Film. More goings on: Joel McCrea and Bruce Labruce in New York, Iranian cinema in Los Angeles, Gus Van Sant and Nicholas Ray in Portland, Allan Dwan in Melbourne, Polish cinema in London, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy throughout the UK, Agnieszka Holland in Berlin and Gregory J. Markopoulos in Basel. » - David Hudson...
- 4/22/2015
- Fandor: Keyframe
The Centerpiece Presentation of this year's Japan Cuts in New York will be the North American premieres of Shingo Wakagi's Asleep and Masaharu Take’s 100 Yen Love. The star of both films, Sakura Ando, is also this year’s honored recipient of the Cut Above Award for Outstanding Performance in Film. More goings on: Joel McCrea and Bruce Labruce in New York, Iranian cinema in Los Angeles, Gus Van Sant and Nicholas Ray in Portland, Allan Dwan in Melbourne, Polish cinema in London, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy throughout the UK, Agnieszka Holland in Berlin and Gregory J. Markopoulos in Basel. » - David Hudson...
- 4/22/2015
- Keyframe
Audience Award won by Pale Moon with the film’s Rie Miyazawa named best actress.
The 27th Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) wrapped tonight with Josh and Benny Safdie’s Us-France co-production Heaven Knows What winning the Tokyo Grand Prix. The top award comes with a cash prize of $50,000.
The co-directors also took Award for Best Director ($5,000) with their film about young junkies struggling to survive in New York. Heaven Knows What was an Asian premiere in Tokyo after Venice, Toronto and New York.
The Special Jury Prize ($20,000) went to Bulgaria-Greece co-production The Lesson directed by Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov.
Rie Miyazawa took the Best Actress award ($5,000) for her performance in Pale Moon, a world premiere title which also picked up the Audience Award ($10,000).
Directed by Daihachi Yoshida (The Kirishima Thing), the film was the only Japanese work in competition and drew pleased buzz from hard-pressed festival-goers looking for good Japanese films in the selection.
[link...
The 27th Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) wrapped tonight with Josh and Benny Safdie’s Us-France co-production Heaven Knows What winning the Tokyo Grand Prix. The top award comes with a cash prize of $50,000.
The co-directors also took Award for Best Director ($5,000) with their film about young junkies struggling to survive in New York. Heaven Knows What was an Asian premiere in Tokyo after Venice, Toronto and New York.
The Special Jury Prize ($20,000) went to Bulgaria-Greece co-production The Lesson directed by Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov.
Rie Miyazawa took the Best Actress award ($5,000) for her performance in Pale Moon, a world premiere title which also picked up the Audience Award ($10,000).
Directed by Daihachi Yoshida (The Kirishima Thing), the film was the only Japanese work in competition and drew pleased buzz from hard-pressed festival-goers looking for good Japanese films in the selection.
[link...
- 10/31/2014
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
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