The Skip City International D-Cinema Festival 2024 will celebrate its 21st edition from July 13th (Sat) to 21st (Sun), 2024 for 9 days at Skip City, which is an integrated institution for digital cinema production.
(See: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/)
Submission period: January 31st, 2024 (Wed) – March 1st, 2024 (Fri)
Skip City International D-Cinema Festival remains committed to discovering and nurturing new talent, with the aim of helping these filmmakers seize new business opportunities that have arisen in the changing landscape of the film industry. Now calling for works (60 min. or longer) that have been shot digitally and must be the director's 1st, 2nd, or 3rd feature film from all over the world for the International Competition section.
Call for entries for the International Competition!!
Entry Deadline: Must be received by March 1st, 2024 (Fri)
Submit via FilmFreeway
https://filmfreeway.com/Skipcityinternationald-CinemaFESTIVAL (Online registration / Free)
All nominated films in competition categories are eligible for the Festival Organizers awards.
(See: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/)
Submission period: January 31st, 2024 (Wed) – March 1st, 2024 (Fri)
Skip City International D-Cinema Festival remains committed to discovering and nurturing new talent, with the aim of helping these filmmakers seize new business opportunities that have arisen in the changing landscape of the film industry. Now calling for works (60 min. or longer) that have been shot digitally and must be the director's 1st, 2nd, or 3rd feature film from all over the world for the International Competition section.
Call for entries for the International Competition!!
Entry Deadline: Must be received by March 1st, 2024 (Fri)
Submit via FilmFreeway
https://filmfreeway.com/Skipcityinternationald-CinemaFESTIVAL (Online registration / Free)
All nominated films in competition categories are eligible for the Festival Organizers awards.
- 2/2/2024
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
2023 was a weird year for Asian cinema. Although the “usual” Japanese masters were here once more, the Korean movie industry seems to have taken a significant step back in the absence of any work from their own big names, while the creative powers that have been boiling for some time in Asean countries and South-West Asia in general seem to be erupting at the moment, in, perhaps, a sign that the epicenter of Asian cinema might be changing soon. Apart from this, Iran, Taiwan and mainland China continued on the same path of quality, Hong Kong seems to find a new way with social/family dramas, while the biggest surprise seems to come from Sri Lanka, with the country producing a number of truly great films this year. Lastly, the progress of the diaspora films and particularly Asian-American ones continues, with “Past Lives” being a worthy successor to “Minari”
It...
It...
- 12/14/2023
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
A woman buries her anger deep under a lake of serenity only to discover that every small action or decision can set off a chain of reverberating ripples, in the latest movie from director Naoko Ogigami, aptly named “Ripples” (波紋 Hamon). Her trademark quirky comedy style and unique perspective are still here, but this time her narrative voice is a notch more dramatic.
Ripples is screening at Five Flavours
A prologue set in the aftermath of a fictional eco-disaster, introduces the Sudo family living in a tranquil suburban neighbourhood. Yoriko Sudo (Mariko Tsutsui) is a woman in her 50s, defined by her roles of wife of a salaryman, mother of a disaffected young man and reluctant carer of Osamu's bedridden – but well able to fondle her – father. Water is scarce, as probably contaminated after the earthquake, and bottled water has become a precious good. One ordinary day, Yoriko calls everybody...
Ripples is screening at Five Flavours
A prologue set in the aftermath of a fictional eco-disaster, introduces the Sudo family living in a tranquil suburban neighbourhood. Yoriko Sudo (Mariko Tsutsui) is a woman in her 50s, defined by her roles of wife of a salaryman, mother of a disaffected young man and reluctant carer of Osamu's bedridden – but well able to fondle her – father. Water is scarce, as probably contaminated after the earthquake, and bottled water has become a precious good. One ordinary day, Yoriko calls everybody...
- 11/15/2023
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
A woman buries her anger deep under a lake of serenity only to discover that every small action or decision can set off a chain of reverberating ripples, in the latest movie from director Naoko Ogigami, aptly named “Ripples” (波紋 Hamon). Her trademark quirky comedy style and unique perspective are still here, but this time her narrative voice is a notch more dramatic.
Ripples is screening at Camera Japan
A prologue set in the aftermath of a fictional eco-disaster, introduces the Sudo family living in a tranquil suburban neighbourhood. Yoriko Sudo (Mariko Tsutsui) is a woman in her 50s, defined by her roles of wife of a salaryman, mother of a disaffected young man and reluctant carer of Osamu’s bedridden – but well able to fondle her – father. Water is scarce, as probably contaminated after the earthquake, and bottled water has become a precious good. One ordinary day, Yoriko calls...
Ripples is screening at Camera Japan
A prologue set in the aftermath of a fictional eco-disaster, introduces the Sudo family living in a tranquil suburban neighbourhood. Yoriko Sudo (Mariko Tsutsui) is a woman in her 50s, defined by her roles of wife of a salaryman, mother of a disaffected young man and reluctant carer of Osamu’s bedridden – but well able to fondle her – father. Water is scarce, as probably contaminated after the earthquake, and bottled water has become a precious good. One ordinary day, Yoriko calls...
- 10/1/2023
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
A middle-aged woman forced to return home after 20 years following the death of her father. A service that provides elderly call girls to socialize with lonely Japanese seniors. A grimly hilarious look at the pressures faced by Japanese women, itself a rebuttal to the post-covid social issue films that dare not flash a smile. These three films, “Yoko,” “Tea Friends” and “Ripples” are universal in their messaging while challenging taboos about Japanese culture and society.
TheWrap hosted a three-night film festival spotlighting emerging voices in Japanese cinema. “Yoko” director Kazuyoshi Kumakiri made an in-person appearance for the post-screening Q&a while “Tea Friends” director Bunji Sotoyama and “Ripples” filmmaker Naoko Ogigami participated via Zoom. All three shared, with the assistance of translator David Neptune, poignant insights and personal stories.
‘Tea Friends’ trailer Inspirations for art
The conversations around all three films began with inquiries as to what made the filmmakers...
TheWrap hosted a three-night film festival spotlighting emerging voices in Japanese cinema. “Yoko” director Kazuyoshi Kumakiri made an in-person appearance for the post-screening Q&a while “Tea Friends” director Bunji Sotoyama and “Ripples” filmmaker Naoko Ogigami participated via Zoom. All three shared, with the assistance of translator David Neptune, poignant insights and personal stories.
‘Tea Friends’ trailer Inspirations for art
The conversations around all three films began with inquiries as to what made the filmmakers...
- 9/29/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
The Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (Aca) is sponsoring the seventh Aca Cinema Project — Emerging Japanese Films — as the cornerstone of its Japan Overseas Expansion Enhancement Project. Visual Industry Promotion Organization (Vipo) serves as the steward for the encore of this distinguished screening series. Three recently released, prestigious theatrical titles headline the event, which runs from Tuesday, September 26, through Thursday, September 28, at the Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood. Festivities are free of charge for accredited entertainment industry professionals.
Launching the Aca Cinema Project on September 26 at 7:00 p.m. is the stateside debut of Kazuyoshi Kumakiri‘s quirky, character-driven, road trip drama Yoko (2022; Trt: 113 minutes). Yoko represents the longtime professional reunion of director Kumakiri and Oscar®-nominated actress Rinko Kikuchi (Tokyo Vice, Babel). Yoko marks the 20-year follow-up to their initial collaboration, 2001 Rotterdam International Film Festival Fipresci Prize winner Hole in the Sky.
Aca Cinema Project offers two...
Launching the Aca Cinema Project on September 26 at 7:00 p.m. is the stateside debut of Kazuyoshi Kumakiri‘s quirky, character-driven, road trip drama Yoko (2022; Trt: 113 minutes). Yoko represents the longtime professional reunion of director Kumakiri and Oscar®-nominated actress Rinko Kikuchi (Tokyo Vice, Babel). Yoko marks the 20-year follow-up to their initial collaboration, 2001 Rotterdam International Film Festival Fipresci Prize winner Hole in the Sky.
Aca Cinema Project offers two...
- 9/11/2023
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The U.S. premieres of the films Yoko, Ripple, and Tea Friends highlight the seventh Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (Aca) Cinema Project, which will spotlight “Emerging Japanese Films” in a series set to run Sept. 26-28 at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood.
The Aca is sponsoring the series as the cornerstone of its Japan Overseas Expansion Enhancement Project. Visual Industry Promotion Organization (Vipo) serves as the steward for the encore of the screening series.
Launching the Aca Cinema Project on September 26 at 7:00 Pm is the stateside debut of Kazuyoshi Kumakiri’s quirky, character-driven, road trip drama Yoko (2022; Trt: 113 minutes). Yoko represents the longtime professional reunion of director Kumakiri and Oscar-nominated actress Rinko Kikuchi. Yoko marks the 20-year follow-up to their initial collaboration, 2001 Rotterdam International Film Festival Fipresci Prize winner Hole in the Sky.
Set for September 27 is Ripples (2023; Trt: 120 minutes), a...
The Aca is sponsoring the series as the cornerstone of its Japan Overseas Expansion Enhancement Project. Visual Industry Promotion Organization (Vipo) serves as the steward for the encore of the screening series.
Launching the Aca Cinema Project on September 26 at 7:00 Pm is the stateside debut of Kazuyoshi Kumakiri’s quirky, character-driven, road trip drama Yoko (2022; Trt: 113 minutes). Yoko represents the longtime professional reunion of director Kumakiri and Oscar-nominated actress Rinko Kikuchi. Yoko marks the 20-year follow-up to their initial collaboration, 2001 Rotterdam International Film Festival Fipresci Prize winner Hole in the Sky.
Set for September 27 is Ripples (2023; Trt: 120 minutes), a...
- 8/26/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Yoriko Sudo (Mariko Tsutsui) is a woman in her 50s. She draws fine ripples in the sand every morning as she tends to the Zen garden in her yard, which seems incongruous with her modern house in its quiet residential area. Yoriko is devoted to a cult-like religion, the Ryokumei-kai or the Green Life Water Society, and spends her days in prayer and study. One day, her husband Osamu (Ken Mitsuishi), who abandoned her and their son several years ago, comes back. His return is like a rock that makes ripples on the quiet surface of her life. The earthquake, nursing care for the aged, new religions, discrimination against the handicapped – the unexplained darkness in the world appears in the Sudo family. When Yoriko’s emotions which have been stifled are revealed, the film rises from despair to entertainment. (Source: Japanese Film Database)
Ripples is written and directed by Naoko Ogigami...
Ripples is written and directed by Naoko Ogigami...
- 4/8/2023
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
We are happy to announce that the Skip City International D-Cinema Festival 2023 will celebrate its 20th anniversary edition from July 15th (Sat) to 23th (Sun), 2023 for 9 days at Skip City, which is an integrated institution for digital cinema production
(See: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/)
Submission period: January 25th, 2023 (Wed) – March 1st, 2023 (Wed)
We remain committed to discovering and nurturing new talent, with the aim of helping these filmmakers seize new business opportunities that have arisen in the changing landscape of the film industry. Now we call for works (60 min. or longer) that have been shot digitally and must be the director’s 1st, 2nd, or 3rd feature film from all over the world for the International Competition section.
Call for entries for the International Competition!!
Entry Deadline: Must be received by March 1st, 2023 (Wed)
Submit via FilmFreeway
https://filmfreeway.com/Skipcityinternationald-CinemaFESTIVAL (Online registration / Free)
Our International Competition welcomes you!
(See: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/)
Submission period: January 25th, 2023 (Wed) – March 1st, 2023 (Wed)
We remain committed to discovering and nurturing new talent, with the aim of helping these filmmakers seize new business opportunities that have arisen in the changing landscape of the film industry. Now we call for works (60 min. or longer) that have been shot digitally and must be the director’s 1st, 2nd, or 3rd feature film from all over the world for the International Competition section.
Call for entries for the International Competition!!
Entry Deadline: Must be received by March 1st, 2023 (Wed)
Submit via FilmFreeway
https://filmfreeway.com/Skipcityinternationald-CinemaFESTIVAL (Online registration / Free)
Our International Competition welcomes you!
- 1/25/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Japan Society and the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, are excited to announce the East Coast Premiere of Japan’s submission for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards, Plan 75 as the closing title for its Aca Cinema Project The Female Gaze: Women Filmmakers from Japan Cuts and Beyond lineup. The debut film from director Chie Hayakawa, Plan 75 premiered as part of this year’s Cannes’ Un Certain Regard selection, garnering the Caméra d’Or Special Mention Prize. A runaway independent success in Japan, the film imagines a near future in which Japan’s aging crisis has hit critical levels, resulting in a government initiative that encourages the elderly to voluntarily surrender their lives for the greater good.
In addition, we will also host a Panel Discussion Women in Film at 4pm on Saturday, November 19th, moderated by Joel Neville Anderson and featuring talents including...
In addition, we will also host a Panel Discussion Women in Film at 4pm on Saturday, November 19th, moderated by Joel Neville Anderson and featuring talents including...
- 11/3/2022
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Kicking off next week, Japan Society and the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan will present an essential look at the remarkable and overlooked contributions of women in contemporary Japanese cinema. “The Female Gaze: Women Filmmakers from Japan Cuts and Beyond,” which takes place November 11 through 20, focuses on the essential roles that female artists play from behind the camera in Japanese cinema—ranging from directing and screenwriting to production and cinematography. Ahead of the Aca Cinema Project series, we’re pleased to exclusively debut the festival trailer along with the announcement of the Closing Night selection.
Chie Hayakawa’s Plan 75, a Cannes winner and Japan’s selection for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards, will make its East Coast Premiere to close out the festival. The film imagines a near future in which Japan’s aging crisis has hit critical levels, resulting in a government initiative...
Chie Hayakawa’s Plan 75, a Cannes winner and Japan’s selection for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards, will make its East Coast Premiere to close out the festival. The film imagines a near future in which Japan’s aging crisis has hit critical levels, resulting in a government initiative...
- 11/2/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
A city enjoying a spectacular growth spur and a metropolis dying out as we speak. A star looking for a way out from a deadly trap and a teenager determined to have a say in her own future. Japanese feel-good movies and terrifying horrors. As always, Five Flavours offers a full spectrum of moods, emotions, and themes. We announce the complete program of the Festival and kick off tickets sales!
Five Flavours Asian Film Festival is the annual review of the best cinema from East, Southeast, and South Asia organized in Poland. Since 2006, it presents the premieres of the newest, carefully selected films from the region, the classics from Asian archives, retrospectives of selected filmmakers, and reviews of national cinemas.
This year’s selection includes 39 meticulously chosen films, 30 of which will be available online, on the territory of Poland only. After the success of last year’s hybrid edition, Five...
Five Flavours Asian Film Festival is the annual review of the best cinema from East, Southeast, and South Asia organized in Poland. Since 2006, it presents the premieres of the newest, carefully selected films from the region, the classics from Asian archives, retrospectives of selected filmmakers, and reviews of national cinemas.
This year’s selection includes 39 meticulously chosen films, 30 of which will be available online, on the territory of Poland only. After the success of last year’s hybrid edition, Five...
- 10/26/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
A survey of the growing prominence and visibility of women in film, the latest Aca Cinema Project series The Female Gaze: Women Filmmakers
from Japan Cuts and Beyond focuses on the essential roles that female artists play from behind the camera in Japanese cinema—ranging from directing and screenwriting to production and cinematography. Presenting an exciting array of screenings and premieres—that include
new mainstream and independent works from Japan Cuts alumni and rising talents alongside a classics selection—The Female Gaze offers a much-needed deep dive into the remarkable and overlooked contributions of women in contemporary Japanese cinema.
Kicking off on November 11 with the North American premiere of Japan Cuts favorite Akiko Ohku’s Wedding High followed by a post-screening discussion and Q&a with the filmmaker and an opening night party, The Female Gaze continues with the latest works of Japan Cuts alumni Riho Kudo (Orphan Blues) and...
from Japan Cuts and Beyond focuses on the essential roles that female artists play from behind the camera in Japanese cinema—ranging from directing and screenwriting to production and cinematography. Presenting an exciting array of screenings and premieres—that include
new mainstream and independent works from Japan Cuts alumni and rising talents alongside a classics selection—The Female Gaze offers a much-needed deep dive into the remarkable and overlooked contributions of women in contemporary Japanese cinema.
Kicking off on November 11 with the North American premiere of Japan Cuts favorite Akiko Ohku’s Wedding High followed by a post-screening discussion and Q&a with the filmmaker and an opening night party, The Female Gaze continues with the latest works of Japan Cuts alumni Riho Kudo (Orphan Blues) and...
- 10/22/2022
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Following in the footsteps of Naoko Ogigami’s “Close-Knit”, but in a much more cheerful approach, “Lovely Little Ai” won both the Entertainment Award and the Cinema Fan Award at the 2021 Pia Film Festival.
“Lovely Little Ai” is screening at InlanDimensions
16-year-old Ai Shimizu has been in trouble ever since her mother died, since her strict and overprotective father has imposed on her a number of rules that essentially dictate her whole life, from the way she dresses, to her everyday schedule which only comprises of studying, stripped from any kind of “fun”, and a strict curfew of 6pm. Furthermore, since her father is busy all the time, Ai finds herself constantly alone, not to mention that the rules do not allow her to have any friends. One day, though, she bumps into transgender Seiko, and despite her initial reluctance, soon finds herself having a mentor, who also fills the gap her mother left.
“Lovely Little Ai” is screening at InlanDimensions
16-year-old Ai Shimizu has been in trouble ever since her mother died, since her strict and overprotective father has imposed on her a number of rules that essentially dictate her whole life, from the way she dresses, to her everyday schedule which only comprises of studying, stripped from any kind of “fun”, and a strict curfew of 6pm. Furthermore, since her father is busy all the time, Ai finds herself constantly alone, not to mention that the rules do not allow her to have any friends. One day, though, she bumps into transgender Seiko, and despite her initial reluctance, soon finds herself having a mentor, who also fills the gap her mother left.
- 9/27/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
It’s always a joy when a new film by Japanese director Naoko Ogigami is released. After “Close-Knit”, awarded at the Berlinale, “Riverside Mukolitta” (Kawapperi Mukolitta) is her latest feature, a film adapted from a novel written by Ogigami herself.
Riverside Mukolitta is screening at Camera Japan
Takeshi Yamada (Kenichi Matsuyama) is a lonely young man who arrives, penniless and looking desolate, in the coastal town of Toyama, to work at a shiokara (salted squid) factory. We don’t know at this point why Yamada is there or anything about his past, but factory CEO Sawada (Naoto Ogata) who knows everything, gives him a warm welcome and sends him to Shiori Minami (Hikari Mitsushima) who will be able to find him a cheap accommodation. In fact, landlady Shiori, a young widow with a daughter, lets a 50-year-old flat to Yamada for a good price, part of the small compound called Mukolitta Apartments,...
Riverside Mukolitta is screening at Camera Japan
Takeshi Yamada (Kenichi Matsuyama) is a lonely young man who arrives, penniless and looking desolate, in the coastal town of Toyama, to work at a shiokara (salted squid) factory. We don’t know at this point why Yamada is there or anything about his past, but factory CEO Sawada (Naoto Ogata) who knows everything, gives him a warm welcome and sends him to Shiori Minami (Hikari Mitsushima) who will be able to find him a cheap accommodation. In fact, landlady Shiori, a young widow with a daughter, lets a 50-year-old flat to Yamada for a good price, part of the small compound called Mukolitta Apartments,...
- 9/27/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Winner for Best Film and Best Actor awards from the Japanese Academy, as much as the Audience Award from Udine in 2021, “Midnight Swan” is a film that essentially establishes Eiji Uchida on the top level of local cinema, and an excellent drama that works on a number of levels.
“Midnight Swan” is screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival
Nagisa is a transgender on the process of a sex change operation, who grew up in Hiroshima as a man but now lives in Shinjuku as a woman, working in a night club as a dancer. Due to an accident, she begins to live with middle school student Ichika, a distant relative, who has been suffering from neglect from her alcoholic mother Saori for years, to the point that she barely utters two words to anyone. The cohabitation is as difficult as possible, with Nagisa making no effort to hide that she...
“Midnight Swan” is screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival
Nagisa is a transgender on the process of a sex change operation, who grew up in Hiroshima as a man but now lives in Shinjuku as a woman, working in a night club as a dancer. Due to an accident, she begins to live with middle school student Ichika, a distant relative, who has been suffering from neglect from her alcoholic mother Saori for years, to the point that she barely utters two words to anyone. The cohabitation is as difficult as possible, with Nagisa making no effort to hide that she...
- 6/13/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Winner for Best Film and Best Actor awards from the Japanese Academy, as much as the Audience Award from Udine in 2021, “Midnight Swan” is a film that essentially establishes Eiji Uchida on the top level of local cinema, and an excellent drama that works on a number of levels.
Nagisa is a transgender on the process of a sex change operation, who grew up in Hiroshima as a man but now lives in Shinjuku as a woman, working in a night club as a dancer. Due to an accident, she begins to live with middle school student Ichika, a distant relative, who has been suffering from neglect from her alcoholic mother Saori for years, to the point that she barely utters two words to anyone. The cohabitation is as difficult as possible, with Nagisa making no effort to hide that she does not really want the girl there, who also...
Nagisa is a transgender on the process of a sex change operation, who grew up in Hiroshima as a man but now lives in Shinjuku as a woman, working in a night club as a dancer. Due to an accident, she begins to live with middle school student Ichika, a distant relative, who has been suffering from neglect from her alcoholic mother Saori for years, to the point that she barely utters two words to anyone. The cohabitation is as difficult as possible, with Nagisa making no effort to hide that she does not really want the girl there, who also...
- 5/16/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
It’s always a joy when a new film by Japanese director Naoko Ogigami is released. After “Close-Knit”, awarded at the Berlinale, “Riverside Mukolitta” (Kawapperi Mukolitta) is her latest feature, a film adapted from a novel written by Ogigami herself.
“Riverside Mukolitta” is screening at Helsinki Cine Aasia
Takeshi Yamada (Kenichi Matsuyama) is a lonely young man who arrives, penniless and looking desolate, in the coastal town of Toyama, to work at a shiokara (salted squid) factory. We don’t know at this point why Yamada is there or anything about his past, but factory CEO Sawada (Naoto Ogata) who knows everything, gives him a warm welcome and sends him to Shiori Minami (Hikari Mitsushima) who will be able to find him a cheap accommodation. In fact, landlady Shiori, a young widow with a daughter, lets a 50-year-old flat to Yamada for a good price, part of the small compound called Mukolitta Apartments,...
“Riverside Mukolitta” is screening at Helsinki Cine Aasia
Takeshi Yamada (Kenichi Matsuyama) is a lonely young man who arrives, penniless and looking desolate, in the coastal town of Toyama, to work at a shiokara (salted squid) factory. We don’t know at this point why Yamada is there or anything about his past, but factory CEO Sawada (Naoto Ogata) who knows everything, gives him a warm welcome and sends him to Shiori Minami (Hikari Mitsushima) who will be able to find him a cheap accommodation. In fact, landlady Shiori, a young widow with a daughter, lets a 50-year-old flat to Yamada for a good price, part of the small compound called Mukolitta Apartments,...
- 5/9/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Amazon Prime Video has doubled down on its investment in Japan with six local originals greenlit and an additional foray into live boxing.
At an event in Tokyo on Wednesday, Amazon revealed a reboot of “Takeshi’s Castle,” the iconic game show starring Kitano Takeshi that aired on terrestrial network TBS from 1986-1989. The reboot, with the working title “Takeshi’s Castle ProjectModern Love Tokyo," the Japanese adaptation of Prime Video’s original romantic anthology series "Modern Love." The series stars Asami Mizukawa, Hiromi Nagasaku, Yûsuke Santamaria, Sôsuke Ikematsu, and Naomi Scott, with episodes directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa ("Wife of a Spy"), Naoko Ogigami ("Close-Knit"), Ryuichi Hiroki ("Ride or Die"), Nobuhiro Yamashita ("Matsugane ransha jiken"), and Atsuko Hirayanagi ("Oh Lucy!"), who also serves as showrunner. Set for 2023 is "My Lovely Yokai Girlfriend" a half-hour, young adult romantic horror adventure-comedy series about two outcasts directed by Takahiro Miki and created by Yalun Tu...
At an event in Tokyo on Wednesday, Amazon revealed a reboot of “Takeshi’s Castle,” the iconic game show starring Kitano Takeshi that aired on terrestrial network TBS from 1986-1989. The reboot, with the working title “Takeshi’s Castle ProjectModern Love Tokyo," the Japanese adaptation of Prime Video’s original romantic anthology series "Modern Love." The series stars Asami Mizukawa, Hiromi Nagasaku, Yûsuke Santamaria, Sôsuke Ikematsu, and Naomi Scott, with episodes directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa ("Wife of a Spy"), Naoko Ogigami ("Close-Knit"), Ryuichi Hiroki ("Ride or Die"), Nobuhiro Yamashita ("Matsugane ransha jiken"), and Atsuko Hirayanagi ("Oh Lucy!"), who also serves as showrunner. Set for 2023 is "My Lovely Yokai Girlfriend" a half-hour, young adult romantic horror adventure-comedy series about two outcasts directed by Takahiro Miki and created by Yalun Tu...
- 3/30/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Doubling down on investment and expanding its offer in Japan, Prime Video has unveiled a slate of new Japanese originals including a reboot of iconic game show Takeshi’s Castle and a local adaptation of anthology series Modern Love. The streamer revealed the lineup at a showcase event in Tokyo today, where it also announced it will livestream the World Bantamweight title fight between Naoya Inoue and Nonito Donaire on June 7.
Among other new offerings are YA romantic horror adventure-comedy series My Undead Yokai Girlfriend created by NCIS: Hawaii and Grace alums Yalun Tu and Zach Hines; a movie adaptation of Ryota Kosawa’s bestseller Angel Flight; and second seasons of The Masked Singer and The Bachelorette Japan which will debut this summer. Further, an April 22 premiere date for the first season of Bake Off Japan has been set with judges Toshihiko Yoroizuka and Yoshimi Ishikawa, and hosts Maki Sakai and Asuka Kudo.
Among other new offerings are YA romantic horror adventure-comedy series My Undead Yokai Girlfriend created by NCIS: Hawaii and Grace alums Yalun Tu and Zach Hines; a movie adaptation of Ryota Kosawa’s bestseller Angel Flight; and second seasons of The Masked Singer and The Bachelorette Japan which will debut this summer. Further, an April 22 premiere date for the first season of Bake Off Japan has been set with judges Toshihiko Yoroizuka and Yoshimi Ishikawa, and hosts Maki Sakai and Asuka Kudo.
- 3/30/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
New features by some of the most prominent filmmakers from the Asia-Pacific region including The Philippines’ Brillante Mendoza, Bangladesh’s Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Japan’s Ogigami Naoko are among the seven titles competing for the Kim Jiseok Award at the upcoming 26th Busan International Film Festival.
Works by Royston Tan from Singapore, China’s Wang Qi, Aparna Sen from India and Ilgar Najaf from Azerbaijan have also been nominated. The award was created in 2017 to commemorate Kim Jiseok, the late program director of the festival.
Competition for the award that features titles from the festival’s A Window on Asian Cinema section is “expected to be more competitive than usual” due to the inclusion of works by internationally-renowned filmmakers that make the section less experimental, organizers said on Monday.
Among the nominated films are “Gensan Punch” by Cannes best director winner Mendoza, which is based on true stories about...
Works by Royston Tan from Singapore, China’s Wang Qi, Aparna Sen from India and Ilgar Najaf from Azerbaijan have also been nominated. The award was created in 2017 to commemorate Kim Jiseok, the late program director of the festival.
Competition for the award that features titles from the festival’s A Window on Asian Cinema section is “expected to be more competitive than usual” due to the inclusion of works by internationally-renowned filmmakers that make the section less experimental, organizers said on Monday.
Among the nominated films are “Gensan Punch” by Cannes best director winner Mendoza, which is based on true stories about...
- 9/6/2021
- by Vivienne Chow
- Variety Film + TV
Queer East Film Festival is delighted to unveil its full programme centred on queer storytelling and activism from East and Southeast Asia. This year’s programme includes a selection of 37 features, short films and artists’ moving image works from 15 countries, ranging from new releases to classic retrospectives, mainstream box office hits to radical independent works, accompanied by pre- screening introductions and filmmaker Q&As. A series of online panel discussions with international guests will run throughout the festival period, covering topics such as women in the film industry, queer film festivals, and the development of Asian LGBTQ+ movements.
Launched in 2020, Queer East is a new film festival that aims to amplify the voices of Asian communities in the UK, who have often been excluded from mainstream discourse, despite Asians being one of the country’s fastest-growing ethnic groups. Queer East seeks to facilitate a better understanding of the richness of queer Asian heritage,...
Launched in 2020, Queer East is a new film festival that aims to amplify the voices of Asian communities in the UK, who have often been excluded from mainstream discourse, despite Asians being one of the country’s fastest-growing ethnic groups. Queer East seeks to facilitate a better understanding of the richness of queer Asian heritage,...
- 8/25/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Writer and director Naoko Ogigami’s debut feature “Yoshino’s Barber Shop” is a sweet and pungent coming of age tale that also delivers a punch against futile gatekeeping. Winner of the 2004 Pia Film Festival Scholarship Award, it has launched the career of one of the most original, quirky independent female directors of Japan and it is a taste of the offbeat style that characterises her works.
Yoshino’s Barber Shop is screening at Japan Society
In the small idyllic town of Kaminoe, the titular Barber Shop stands proud as the symbolic (and practical) keeper of an ancient tradition. In fact, it is so ancient that nobody remembers how it all started. During the Mountain Day, the village honours the goddess of the mountain with a beautiful choir performance in the blossoming sakura season, and to keep at bay the goddess’ proverbial jealousy, only boys can sing to her. Moreover,...
Yoshino’s Barber Shop is screening at Japan Society
In the small idyllic town of Kaminoe, the titular Barber Shop stands proud as the symbolic (and practical) keeper of an ancient tradition. In fact, it is so ancient that nobody remembers how it all started. During the Mountain Day, the village honours the goddess of the mountain with a beautiful choir performance in the blossoming sakura season, and to keep at bay the goddess’ proverbial jealousy, only boys can sing to her. Moreover,...
- 2/7/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Line-up includes nine documentaries and nine first-time feature directors.
The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (Haf) has announced the 29 projects selected for this year’s edition, including established Asian directors and producers such as Hur Jin-Ho, Naomi Kawase and Ning Hao, as well as emerging filmmakers and nine first-time feature directors.
Returning to its regular March slot, Haf will take place online from March 15-17, coinciding with Filmart Online, which runs March 15-18. Haf and Filmart also took place virtually in August 2020.
“Despite the challenging circumstances brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, Haf remains strongly committed to filmmakers,” said Haf director Jacob Wong.
The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (Haf) has announced the 29 projects selected for this year’s edition, including established Asian directors and producers such as Hur Jin-Ho, Naomi Kawase and Ning Hao, as well as emerging filmmakers and nine first-time feature directors.
Returning to its regular March slot, Haf will take place online from March 15-17, coinciding with Filmart Online, which runs March 15-18. Haf and Filmart also took place virtually in August 2020.
“Despite the challenging circumstances brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, Haf remains strongly committed to filmmakers,” said Haf director Jacob Wong.
- 1/18/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
New York, NY –Japan Society and the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (Aca), in collaboration with the Visual Industry Promotion Organization (Vipo), announce the inaugural Aca Cinema Project online film series 21st Century Japan: Films from 2001-2020, streaming nationwide on Japan Society’s Virtual Cinema from February 5-25, 2021.
As Japan’s film industry enters its third decade in the new millennium, this 30-film online series takes a look back at the last 20 years of Japanese cinema to celebrate some of the most remarkable narrative fiction films and filmmakers that define the era. Covering a wide range of production styles and genres—from small budget independent debuts to festival favorites and award-winning major studio releases—this diverse slate of feature and short films offers a guided tour of modern Japanese cinema, including special spotlights dedicated to the work of Kiyoshi Kurosawa and a selection of breakout films by up-and-coming filmmakers.
As Japan’s film industry enters its third decade in the new millennium, this 30-film online series takes a look back at the last 20 years of Japanese cinema to celebrate some of the most remarkable narrative fiction films and filmmakers that define the era. Covering a wide range of production styles and genres—from small budget independent debuts to festival favorites and award-winning major studio releases—this diverse slate of feature and short films offers a guided tour of modern Japanese cinema, including special spotlights dedicated to the work of Kiyoshi Kurosawa and a selection of breakout films by up-and-coming filmmakers.
- 1/11/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The concept of tourism and the way the people who travel perceive their vacations is a very interesting one, particularly when it involves urban residents visiting rural places, having very specific things in their minds about what they are going to experience. Naoko Ogigami directs a film that plays with the notion in a rather hilarious but also down-to-earth fashion.
Glasses is screening as part of Five Flavours Asian New Year’s Eve Online
Taeko, a woman who looks dangerously similar to Ogigami herself, visits an Okinawan island, having booked some nights in a small guesthouse, with the clear notion that she will be left alone there, in her search for peace and quiet. She is, thus, astonished when the hotel proprietor sits down to eat with her, along with two other people of the area, Haruna, a woman her age, and Sakura, an elderly lady whom she also finds...
Glasses is screening as part of Five Flavours Asian New Year’s Eve Online
Taeko, a woman who looks dangerously similar to Ogigami herself, visits an Okinawan island, having booked some nights in a small guesthouse, with the clear notion that she will be left alone there, in her search for peace and quiet. She is, thus, astonished when the hotel proprietor sits down to eat with her, along with two other people of the area, Haruna, a woman her age, and Sakura, an elderly lady whom she also finds...
- 1/3/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Do you want to send 2020 off by bashing a bunch of zombies? Or spend the first day of the New Year at a perfectly peaceful beach of a Japanese island? Five Flavours film selection has an answer for both of these needs.
The New Year’s program, available from Thursday, December 31 till Sunday, January 3, is a selection of the most joyful, colorful, energetic movies from the past editions of Five Flavours, with the addition of a cult Malaysian musical “Sell Out.” This is the perfect choice for anyone craving ambitious entertainment, absurd humor, extravagant journeys to the other side of the world, and a serious dose of film fireworks.
The perfect New Year’s Eve warm-up is a subversive ramen-western “Tampopo,” one of the greatest Japanese classics, combining absurd humor and a background permeated with umami sadness. With the recipe for the perfect ramen at stake, the gallery of peculiar...
The New Year’s program, available from Thursday, December 31 till Sunday, January 3, is a selection of the most joyful, colorful, energetic movies from the past editions of Five Flavours, with the addition of a cult Malaysian musical “Sell Out.” This is the perfect choice for anyone craving ambitious entertainment, absurd humor, extravagant journeys to the other side of the world, and a serious dose of film fireworks.
The perfect New Year’s Eve warm-up is a subversive ramen-western “Tampopo,” one of the greatest Japanese classics, combining absurd humor and a background permeated with umami sadness. With the recipe for the perfect ramen at stake, the gallery of peculiar...
- 12/19/2020
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Five Flavours Asian Film Festival invite you for a journey through taste, colors, and sounds of the Asian continent, hoping they can provide food for your thoughts and solace for your spirits.
The Programme of this year’s Festival comprises more than forty titles representing the extreme variety of Asian cinemas – from horror cinema to sweet melodramas, from grasping auteur cinema to relaxing journeys around the continent.
All the films will be presented online between November 25 and December 6.
Preparing this year’s edition forced the organisers to face up to completely new challenges – from the matters of logistics to finding new ways of thinking about their mission, priorities, building bridges between filmmakers and audiences outside the screening rooms. The online edition of the Festival is not a compromise, but a different way to reach the, perhaps even wider, audiences, discover the rich variety of Asian cultures, and explore the contemporary...
The Programme of this year’s Festival comprises more than forty titles representing the extreme variety of Asian cinemas – from horror cinema to sweet melodramas, from grasping auteur cinema to relaxing journeys around the continent.
All the films will be presented online between November 25 and December 6.
Preparing this year’s edition forced the organisers to face up to completely new challenges – from the matters of logistics to finding new ways of thinking about their mission, priorities, building bridges between filmmakers and audiences outside the screening rooms. The online edition of the Festival is not a compromise, but a different way to reach the, perhaps even wider, audiences, discover the rich variety of Asian cultures, and explore the contemporary...
- 11/2/2020
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Recently awarded with the “Best Humanity Award” at the Japan Film Festival in Los Angeles, Miyuki Tokoi’s “Zero as you are” follows a transgender individual on a 3000 days lasting journey of self-realization. The former Nhk producer and Galaxy Award nominee sheds light on the very recent topic of LGBTQ in Japan.
“Zero As You Are” is screening on Japannual Film Festival in Vienna
Taking a closer look at Japanese film history, gender issues have been broached more openly than one would expect from such a seemingly conformist society. Toshio Matsumoto’s “Funeral Parade of Roses” (1969), Yoshimitsu Morita’s “Kitchen” (1989), and “Close Knit” (2017) by Naoko Ogigami are only a few prime examples. In the field of documentary though, there is nothing quite comparable to Tokoi’s mammoth project.
Introducing Sky Kobayashi. The 15-year-old junior high school student lives in a state of constant anxiety. Born as a girl, and diagnosed...
“Zero As You Are” is screening on Japannual Film Festival in Vienna
Taking a closer look at Japanese film history, gender issues have been broached more openly than one would expect from such a seemingly conformist society. Toshio Matsumoto’s “Funeral Parade of Roses” (1969), Yoshimitsu Morita’s “Kitchen” (1989), and “Close Knit” (2017) by Naoko Ogigami are only a few prime examples. In the field of documentary though, there is nothing quite comparable to Tokoi’s mammoth project.
Introducing Sky Kobayashi. The 15-year-old junior high school student lives in a state of constant anxiety. Born as a girl, and diagnosed...
- 10/12/2020
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
As I have mentioned many times before, if there is one genre that can be found in abundance in Japanese cinema, that would be the family drama, in the distinct, indie style so many local filmmakers seem to prefer. Naoko Ogigami however, strays away from the basics of the genre, by presenting the interaction of the family concept with LGBT.
Close Knit screened at Camera Japan
The story revolves around Tomo, an 11-year-old girl who is living with her negligent mom, who seems to care very little for her, even abandoning her for days at a time. Having no alternative, Tomo ends up staying with her uncle Makio, her mother’s brother, after she disappears once more. Makio is living with Rinko, an LGBT, which makes quite an impression to Tomo, as one of his initial statements is to clarify that she was born a boy. Despite her amazement and perplexity,...
Close Knit screened at Camera Japan
The story revolves around Tomo, an 11-year-old girl who is living with her negligent mom, who seems to care very little for her, even abandoning her for days at a time. Having no alternative, Tomo ends up staying with her uncle Makio, her mother’s brother, after she disappears once more. Makio is living with Rinko, an LGBT, which makes quite an impression to Tomo, as one of his initial statements is to clarify that she was born a boy. Despite her amazement and perplexity,...
- 8/31/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The 18th edition of the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum will run alongside Filmart from March 25-27.
The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum has announced the 33 projects shortlisted for this year’s edition of the co-production and financing market, including 24 fictional features and nine documentaries.
The selection includes leading Asian filmmakers such as Thailand’s Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Taiwan’s Giddens Ko, Japan’s Naoko Ogigami and Singapore’s Yeo Siew Hua, as well as 11 first-time feature directors.
Seven Hong Kong projects have been selected, including Pang Ho-cheung’s The End, the story of a psychic medium who seeks help from...
The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum has announced the 33 projects shortlisted for this year’s edition of the co-production and financing market, including 24 fictional features and nine documentaries.
The selection includes leading Asian filmmakers such as Thailand’s Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Taiwan’s Giddens Ko, Japan’s Naoko Ogigami and Singapore’s Yeo Siew Hua, as well as 11 first-time feature directors.
Seven Hong Kong projects have been selected, including Pang Ho-cheung’s The End, the story of a psychic medium who seeks help from...
- 1/20/2020
- by 89¦Liz Shackleton¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Love, family, and relationships; our lives revolve around it, even for the most misanthropic of us. At the risk of sounding cheesy, no matter how much we fight with our family, no matter how estranged we become, we feel an urge for reconciliation. Movies about this subject are a hit and miss. They can become overly emotional while not showing the nuances of relationships. “Close-Knit” released in 2017, and directed by the talented director, Naoko Ogigami, pulls this off masterfully.
“Close-Knit” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
The movie opens with a girl, Tomo (played by Rinka Kakihara) getting ready for school. The house is a mess. Clothes are strewn everywhere and the garbage bin is full. Tomo lives with her mother Hiromi (played by Mimura), who in the beginning of the movie, leaves her to pursue a life with a man. Tomo goes to live with her uncle,...
“Close-Knit” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
The movie opens with a girl, Tomo (played by Rinka Kakihara) getting ready for school. The house is a mess. Clothes are strewn everywhere and the garbage bin is full. Tomo lives with her mother Hiromi (played by Mimura), who in the beginning of the movie, leaves her to pursue a life with a man. Tomo goes to live with her uncle,...
- 6/11/2019
- by Anand Singh
- AsianMoviePulse
Naoko Ogigami has been appointed head of Skip City’s Japanese Film Competition juries.
Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike will head the jury for the International Competition at this year’s Skip City International D-Cinema Festival (July 13-21).
Naoko Ogigami has been appointed head of Skip City’s Japanese Film Competition juries, which includes sections for features and short films.
Miike’s latest film, First Love, co-produced by Toei and the UK’s Recorded Picture Company, premiered at Cannes last week in the Directors Fortnight section. Ogigami has credits including Close-Knit (2017), which won a Teddy Award and Panorama Audience Award at the Berlin film festival.
Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike will head the jury for the International Competition at this year’s Skip City International D-Cinema Festival (July 13-21).
Naoko Ogigami has been appointed head of Skip City’s Japanese Film Competition juries, which includes sections for features and short films.
Miike’s latest film, First Love, co-produced by Toei and the UK’s Recorded Picture Company, premiered at Cannes last week in the Directors Fortnight section. Ogigami has credits including Close-Knit (2017), which won a Teddy Award and Panorama Audience Award at the Berlin film festival.
- 5/24/2019
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Takashi Miike will serve as the head of the jury for this year's Skip City International D Cinema Festival's main competition.
An international festival and cult favorite auteur, Miike's First Love yakuza flick was one of only two Japanese films screened at Cannes this year, albeit in the Directors’ Fortnight section.
Naoko Ogigami will be the jury president for the Japanese film competition at Skip City, which takes place north of Tokyo in Saitama's Kawaguchi City from July 13-21. Ogigami's debut feature, Barber Yoshino (2003), won a special mention award at Berlin, where three of her ...
An international festival and cult favorite auteur, Miike's First Love yakuza flick was one of only two Japanese films screened at Cannes this year, albeit in the Directors’ Fortnight section.
Naoko Ogigami will be the jury president for the Japanese film competition at Skip City, which takes place north of Tokyo in Saitama's Kawaguchi City from July 13-21. Ogigami's debut feature, Barber Yoshino (2003), won a special mention award at Berlin, where three of her ...
- 5/24/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Takashi Miike will serve as the head of the jury for this year's Skip City International D Cinema Festival's main competition.
An international festival and cult favorite auteur, Miike's First Love yakuza flick was one of only two Japanese films screened at Cannes this year, albeit in the Directors’ Fortnight section.
Naoko Ogigami will be the jury president for the Japanese film competition at Skip City, which takes place north of Tokyo in Saitama's Kawaguchi City from July 13-21. Ogigami's debut feature, Barber Yoshino (2003), won a special mention award at Berlin, where three of her ...
An international festival and cult favorite auteur, Miike's First Love yakuza flick was one of only two Japanese films screened at Cannes this year, albeit in the Directors’ Fortnight section.
Naoko Ogigami will be the jury president for the Japanese film competition at Skip City, which takes place north of Tokyo in Saitama's Kawaguchi City from July 13-21. Ogigami's debut feature, Barber Yoshino (2003), won a special mention award at Berlin, where three of her ...
- 5/24/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
“Close-knit” (2017) is an emotional drama that deals with the issues of gender, identity and sexuality. Director Naoko Ogigami wished to draw attention to Lgbtq communities in a Japan society that is still largely conservative in outlook.
“Close-Knit” is screening at San Diego Asian Film Festival, that will be on November 9-18
Tomo (Rinka Kakihara) is a young girl living with her single mother. When her mother walks out on her one day, she calls on her uncle Makio (Kenta Kiritani), who agrees to take her in. On the way to his house, he tells his niece that he is living with someone, a woman who is special to him. When they arrive at his house, Tomo is introduced to Makio’s girlfriend Rinko (Toma Ikuta), who was born as a boy, but is part-way through transformative surgery to become a woman. Tomo is welcomed into their lives and finds the...
“Close-Knit” is screening at San Diego Asian Film Festival, that will be on November 9-18
Tomo (Rinka Kakihara) is a young girl living with her single mother. When her mother walks out on her one day, she calls on her uncle Makio (Kenta Kiritani), who agrees to take her in. On the way to his house, he tells his niece that he is living with someone, a woman who is special to him. When they arrive at his house, Tomo is introduced to Makio’s girlfriend Rinko (Toma Ikuta), who was born as a boy, but is part-way through transformative surgery to become a woman. Tomo is welcomed into their lives and finds the...
- 3/30/2019
- by Matthew Cooper
- AsianMoviePulse
On Saturday 6th of April 2019, at 6pm, South Social Film Festival is happy to partner with Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation to celebrate Japan and offer a combination of Japanese film, performance, cuisine and discussion. Here is the Programme of the evening.
The Film
“Close-Knit” by Naoko Ogigami is a feel-good movie that deals with an unconventional family dynamic consisting of husband, transgender wife and niece, who all happen to live together. One of the first of its kind in Japanese cinema, the film will raise many questions about new families, gender boundaries, cliche identity and new fluid determination.
Panel Discussion
A lively debate will follow the screening discussing gender, identity and modern families. It will be moderated by top experts on Japan.
Griseldis Kirsch is Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Japanese Culture at Soas University of London. Her research interests include television culture and (self-)censorship, as well as war memory in Japan.
The Film
“Close-Knit” by Naoko Ogigami is a feel-good movie that deals with an unconventional family dynamic consisting of husband, transgender wife and niece, who all happen to live together. One of the first of its kind in Japanese cinema, the film will raise many questions about new families, gender boundaries, cliche identity and new fluid determination.
Panel Discussion
A lively debate will follow the screening discussing gender, identity and modern families. It will be moderated by top experts on Japan.
Griseldis Kirsch is Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Japanese Culture at Soas University of London. Her research interests include television culture and (self-)censorship, as well as war memory in Japan.
- 3/29/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
On Saturday 6th of April 2019, at 6pm, South Social Film Festival is happy to partner with Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation to celebrate Japan and offer a combination of film, music and food.
South Social Film Festival is a not for profit, creating an immersive movie, music & dining experience. Each event is #Onenight #Onecountry celebrating independent world cinema. First launched in 2015, South Social dedicates every event to a different country, turning into a platform to celebrate diversity through art, cinema, world music and food. The original concept is to mix food and music together with screenings, a cocktail for the senses.
The Film
“Close-Knit” by Naoko Ogigami is a feel-good movie that deals with an unconventional family dynamic consisting of husband, transgender wife and niece, who all happen to live together. One of the first of its kind in Japanese cinema, the film will raise many questions about new families, gender boundaries,...
South Social Film Festival is a not for profit, creating an immersive movie, music & dining experience. Each event is #Onenight #Onecountry celebrating independent world cinema. First launched in 2015, South Social dedicates every event to a different country, turning into a platform to celebrate diversity through art, cinema, world music and food. The original concept is to mix food and music together with screenings, a cocktail for the senses.
The Film
“Close-Knit” by Naoko Ogigami is a feel-good movie that deals with an unconventional family dynamic consisting of husband, transgender wife and niece, who all happen to live together. One of the first of its kind in Japanese cinema, the film will raise many questions about new families, gender boundaries,...
- 3/15/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
As I have mentioned many times before, if there is one genre that can be found in abundance in Japanese cinema, that would be the family drama, in the distinct, indie style so many local filmmakers seem to prefer. Naoko Ogigami however, strays away from the basics of the genre, by presenting the interaction of the family concept with Lgbt.
The story revolves around Tomo, an 11-year-old girl who is living with her negligent mom, who seems to care very little for her, even abandoning her for days at a time. Having no alternative, Tomo ends up staying with her uncle Makio, her mother’s brother, after she disappears once more. Makio is living with Rinko, an Lgbt, which makes quite an impression to Tomo, as one of his initial statements is to clarify that she was born a boy. Despite her amazement and perplexity, the girl soon warms up to Rinko,...
The story revolves around Tomo, an 11-year-old girl who is living with her negligent mom, who seems to care very little for her, even abandoning her for days at a time. Having no alternative, Tomo ends up staying with her uncle Makio, her mother’s brother, after she disappears once more. Makio is living with Rinko, an Lgbt, which makes quite an impression to Tomo, as one of his initial statements is to clarify that she was born a boy. Despite her amazement and perplexity, the girl soon warms up to Rinko,...
- 3/14/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Get ready to learn how to say “what the hell just happened?” in Japanese. “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” one of the most acclaimed — and straight up weird — works in anime history, will be available to stream globally for the first time when it debuts on Netflix in 2019.
The announcement came during Netflix’s Anime Lineup Presentation, held Tuesday in Tokyo.
Produced by Gainax and Tatsunoko Production, “Neon Genesis Evangelion” originally aired on TV Tokyo from October 1995 to March 1996. Set in the far-future year of 2015, the show tracks a war between humans, defended by pilots who control giant bio-machines called “Evangelions,” and aliens called “Angels.” Drawing imagery from Kabbalah, Christianity and Judaism, “Evangelion” is particularly celebrated — and notorious — for its insane ending. The uninitiated can watch the teaser trailer above.
Also Read: Netflix Announces New Anime Projects Based on 'Pacific Rim,' 'Altered Carbon'
Along with the complete series, Netflix...
The announcement came during Netflix’s Anime Lineup Presentation, held Tuesday in Tokyo.
Produced by Gainax and Tatsunoko Production, “Neon Genesis Evangelion” originally aired on TV Tokyo from October 1995 to March 1996. Set in the far-future year of 2015, the show tracks a war between humans, defended by pilots who control giant bio-machines called “Evangelions,” and aliens called “Angels.” Drawing imagery from Kabbalah, Christianity and Judaism, “Evangelion” is particularly celebrated — and notorious — for its insane ending. The uninitiated can watch the teaser trailer above.
Also Read: Netflix Announces New Anime Projects Based on 'Pacific Rim,' 'Altered Carbon'
Along with the complete series, Netflix...
- 11/27/2018
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
During their Anime Lineup Presentation event at the Akiba Theatre in Tokyo today, Netflix unveiled their slate of Anime programming for 2019.
The new lineup is an expansion of their successful original Anime programming which includes Devilman Crybaby and B: the Beginning. Netflix announced that they would be revisiting some of the most beloved stories that many Anime fans already know and love, including Ultraman, Neon Genesis Evangelion and Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac.
The news comes after Netflix made their first-ever Asia showcase earlier this month where they announced the addition of Pacific Rim, Altered Carbon, Cagaster of an Insect Cage, Yasuke, and Trese to their anime slate. The slate continues Netflix’s global reach when it comes to original content, telling stories from Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea.
Watch the trailers and read the full details of what was presented during today’s Tokyo event.
Rilakkuma and...
The new lineup is an expansion of their successful original Anime programming which includes Devilman Crybaby and B: the Beginning. Netflix announced that they would be revisiting some of the most beloved stories that many Anime fans already know and love, including Ultraman, Neon Genesis Evangelion and Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac.
The news comes after Netflix made their first-ever Asia showcase earlier this month where they announced the addition of Pacific Rim, Altered Carbon, Cagaster of an Insect Cage, Yasuke, and Trese to their anime slate. The slate continues Netflix’s global reach when it comes to original content, telling stories from Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea.
Watch the trailers and read the full details of what was presented during today’s Tokyo event.
Rilakkuma and...
- 11/27/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Mayu Akiyama – worked in the fashion industry while studying at the Film School of Tokyo. Her graduation production, ‘Garconne – The Woman having both sexes’, featured a refreshingly intersexual protagonist. It was selected for the 11th Tanabe-Benkei Film Festival and was nominated for the Art Center of Tokyo Grand Prix.
‘Rent a friend’ – making friends of the opposite sex in adulthood is hard. Is it even possible? Web magazine editor Nasa Mochizuki meets Sota Yanase, who tells her that he can switch off hist attraction to women any time. Turns out he’s a ‘rental friend’, and Nasa decides to rent him herself. When her roommate Tamaki gets closer to Sota through music, Nasa discovers her contractual relationship with him cannot lead to something more, even if she wants it to. Mayu Akiyama makes her feature debut with this story about the unusual ‘relationship’ between a guy and two gals.
The...
‘Rent a friend’ – making friends of the opposite sex in adulthood is hard. Is it even possible? Web magazine editor Nasa Mochizuki meets Sota Yanase, who tells her that he can switch off hist attraction to women any time. Turns out he’s a ‘rental friend’, and Nasa decides to rent him herself. When her roommate Tamaki gets closer to Sota through music, Nasa discovers her contractual relationship with him cannot lead to something more, even if she wants it to. Mayu Akiyama makes her feature debut with this story about the unusual ‘relationship’ between a guy and two gals.
The...
- 11/22/2018
- by Nikodem Karolak
- AsianMoviePulse
Japan’s Close-Knit wins audience award.
Thai high school thriller Bad Genius starring the Screen International Rising Star Asia Award winner Chutimon ‘Aokbab’ Chuengcharoensukying was named best feature as the 16th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) came to a close.
Director Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya attended the awards ceremony on July 15. His film received its international premiere and opened the 17-day festival on June 30, when Chuengcharoensukying collected her award on stage at the Walter Reade Theater. Nyaff concluded on July 16 with the Us premiere of The Villainess.
Bad Genius was among seven features nominated in the new main competition, which was restricted to films by first- and second-time directors. The inaugural three-person jury comprised actress Jennifer Kim, VOD acquisitions executive George Schmaltz, and festival super fan Kristina Winters.
The competition’s special mention award went to Yoshiyuki Kishi’s A Double Life from Japan, and an honourable mention for most promising director went to Le Binh Giang for Vietnam...
Thai high school thriller Bad Genius starring the Screen International Rising Star Asia Award winner Chutimon ‘Aokbab’ Chuengcharoensukying was named best feature as the 16th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) came to a close.
Director Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya attended the awards ceremony on July 15. His film received its international premiere and opened the 17-day festival on June 30, when Chuengcharoensukying collected her award on stage at the Walter Reade Theater. Nyaff concluded on July 16 with the Us premiere of The Villainess.
Bad Genius was among seven features nominated in the new main competition, which was restricted to films by first- and second-time directors. The inaugural three-person jury comprised actress Jennifer Kim, VOD acquisitions executive George Schmaltz, and festival super fan Kristina Winters.
The competition’s special mention award went to Yoshiyuki Kishi’s A Double Life from Japan, and an honourable mention for most promising director went to Le Binh Giang for Vietnam...
- 7/17/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Japan’s Close-Knit wins audience award.
Thai high school thriller Bad Genius starring the Screen International Rising Star Asia Award winner Chutimon ‘Aokbab’ Chuengcharoensukying was named best feature as the 16th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) came to a close.
Director Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya attended the awards ceremony on July 15. His film received its international premiere and opened the 17-day festival on June 30, when Chuengcharoensukying collected her award on stage at the Walter Reade Theater.
Director Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya attended the awards ceremony on July 15 and Nyaff concluded on July 16 with the Us premiere of The Villainess.
Bad Genius was among seven features nominated in the new main competition, which was restricted to films by first- and second-time directors. The inaugural three-person jury comprised actress Jennifer Kim, VOD acquisitions executive George Schmaltz, and festival super fan Kristina Winters.
The competition’s special mention award went to Yoshiyuki Kishi’s A Double Life from Japan, and an honourable...
Thai high school thriller Bad Genius starring the Screen International Rising Star Asia Award winner Chutimon ‘Aokbab’ Chuengcharoensukying was named best feature as the 16th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) came to a close.
Director Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya attended the awards ceremony on July 15. His film received its international premiere and opened the 17-day festival on June 30, when Chuengcharoensukying collected her award on stage at the Walter Reade Theater.
Director Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya attended the awards ceremony on July 15 and Nyaff concluded on July 16 with the Us premiere of The Villainess.
Bad Genius was among seven features nominated in the new main competition, which was restricted to films by first- and second-time directors. The inaugural three-person jury comprised actress Jennifer Kim, VOD acquisitions executive George Schmaltz, and festival super fan Kristina Winters.
The competition’s special mention award went to Yoshiyuki Kishi’s A Double Life from Japan, and an honourable...
- 7/17/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Centerpiece Gala is North American premiere of Filipino thriller Birdshot.
The Us premiere of Jung Byung-gil’s revenge thriller and recent Cannes Midnight screening The Villainess will close the 16th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), set to run from June 30-July 16.
Festival brass unveiled on Monday the selection of 57 films including seven entries in the new Main Competition: previously announced festival opener Bad Genius (Thailand, pictured); Birdshot (Philippines); A Double Life (Japan); The Gangster’s Daughter (Taiwan); Kfc (Vietnam); Jane (South Korea); and With Prisoners (Hong Kong).
The Centerpiece Gala is the North American premiere of Filipino thriller Birdshot.
The festival programme includes a 20th Anniversary Hong Kong Panorama with a focus on emerging talent called Young Blood Hong Kong. Selections include Wong Chun’s Mad World, Derek Hui’s This Is Not What I Expected, and Alan Lo’s Zombiology: Enjoy Yourself Tonight.
An Lgbtq showcase features five films: Naoko Ogigami’s Close-Knit from Japan...
The Us premiere of Jung Byung-gil’s revenge thriller and recent Cannes Midnight screening The Villainess will close the 16th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), set to run from June 30-July 16.
Festival brass unveiled on Monday the selection of 57 films including seven entries in the new Main Competition: previously announced festival opener Bad Genius (Thailand, pictured); Birdshot (Philippines); A Double Life (Japan); The Gangster’s Daughter (Taiwan); Kfc (Vietnam); Jane (South Korea); and With Prisoners (Hong Kong).
The Centerpiece Gala is the North American premiere of Filipino thriller Birdshot.
The festival programme includes a 20th Anniversary Hong Kong Panorama with a focus on emerging talent called Young Blood Hong Kong. Selections include Wong Chun’s Mad World, Derek Hui’s This Is Not What I Expected, and Alan Lo’s Zombiology: Enjoy Yourself Tonight.
An Lgbtq showcase features five films: Naoko Ogigami’s Close-Knit from Japan...
- 6/5/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Bryan Fuller will receive Achievement Award.
The 2017 Outfest Los Angeles Lgbt Film Festival presented by HBO will be held from July 6-16.
Outfest has announced Bryan Fuller as its 2017 Achievement Award recipient and revealed the opening and closing night galas.
Francis Lee’s feature debut God’s Own Country starring Josh O’Connor and Alec Secareanu, will open the festival, while Trudie Styler’s comedic Freak Show, starring Bette Midler, Alex Lawther, AnnaSophia Robb, Abigail Breslin, Ian Nelson, Larry Pine and a cameo from Laverne Cox, will close the festival.
The Achievement Award will be presented to Fuller during a ceremony at the Orpheum Theatre on July 6 and is Outfest’s highest honour. It is presented to those who have made a significant contribution to Lgbt film and media.
Fuller is behind such shows as Dead Like Me, Wonderfalls, Pushing Daisies, Hannibal and most recently American Gods.
Gala screenings include the West Coast premiere of the TV...
The 2017 Outfest Los Angeles Lgbt Film Festival presented by HBO will be held from July 6-16.
Outfest has announced Bryan Fuller as its 2017 Achievement Award recipient and revealed the opening and closing night galas.
Francis Lee’s feature debut God’s Own Country starring Josh O’Connor and Alec Secareanu, will open the festival, while Trudie Styler’s comedic Freak Show, starring Bette Midler, Alex Lawther, AnnaSophia Robb, Abigail Breslin, Ian Nelson, Larry Pine and a cameo from Laverne Cox, will close the festival.
The Achievement Award will be presented to Fuller during a ceremony at the Orpheum Theatre on July 6 and is Outfest’s highest honour. It is presented to those who have made a significant contribution to Lgbt film and media.
Fuller is behind such shows as Dead Like Me, Wonderfalls, Pushing Daisies, Hannibal and most recently American Gods.
Gala screenings include the West Coast premiere of the TV...
- 5/16/2017
- ScreenDaily
With the 2017 Berlin International Film Festival wrapped, we’ve highlighted our favorite films from the festival. Make sure to stay tuned in the coming months as we learn about distribution news for the titles. Check out our favorites below, followed by our complete coverage, and one can see the winners here.
Ana, mon amour (Cãlin Peter Netzer)
We only hurt the ones we love, or at least it seems that seems to be the norm in Cãlin Peter Netzer’s latest film, a cerebral examination of love in decay that appears to be the Romanian New Wave’s (if we can still call that) answer to Derek Cianfrance’s Blue Valentine. Romping, eroding, and unraveling over the course of about a decade or so, Ana, mon amour (Netzer’s first film since winning the Golden Bear back in 2013 for Child’s Pose) concerns itself with the doomed romance of Tomo...
Ana, mon amour (Cãlin Peter Netzer)
We only hurt the ones we love, or at least it seems that seems to be the norm in Cãlin Peter Netzer’s latest film, a cerebral examination of love in decay that appears to be the Romanian New Wave’s (if we can still call that) answer to Derek Cianfrance’s Blue Valentine. Romping, eroding, and unraveling over the course of about a decade or so, Ana, mon amour (Netzer’s first film since winning the Golden Bear back in 2013 for Child’s Pose) concerns itself with the doomed romance of Tomo...
- 2/20/2017
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
A certain mutant send-off may have gotten the most global attention out of the 2017 Berlin Film Festival, but if one retracts their claws, some of the finest in major international cinema comes into focus. Ahead of our picks of the best of the festival, the jury has delivered their awards.
Led by Paul Verhoeven, the jury made up of Dora Bouchoucha Fourati, Olafur Eliasson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Julia Jentsch, Diego Luna, and Wang Quan’an gave the Hungarian drama On Body and Soul the top prize of Golden Bear, while Aki Kaurismäki picked up Best Director for The Other Side of Hope and Kim Min-hee earned Best Actress for her latest Hong Sang-soo collaboration On The Beach At Night Alone.
Check out the winners below (with a hat tip to Deadline) along with links to reviews where available. One can also see our full coverage here.
Golden Bear for Best...
Led by Paul Verhoeven, the jury made up of Dora Bouchoucha Fourati, Olafur Eliasson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Julia Jentsch, Diego Luna, and Wang Quan’an gave the Hungarian drama On Body and Soul the top prize of Golden Bear, while Aki Kaurismäki picked up Best Director for The Other Side of Hope and Kim Min-hee earned Best Actress for her latest Hong Sang-soo collaboration On The Beach At Night Alone.
Check out the winners below (with a hat tip to Deadline) along with links to reviews where available. One can also see our full coverage here.
Golden Bear for Best...
- 2/19/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
I Am Not Your Negro As the 67th edition of the Berlin Film Festival starts to wind down, the first award winners have been announced.
The Panorama audience awards were given to Oscar-nominated documentary I Am Not Your Negro – Raoul Peck's examination of Us race relations through the work of James Baldwin and his three assassinated friends - and Philippe van Leeuw's drama about a family under siege in war-torn Syria Insyriated.
The audience vote runners up in the audience vote were Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi's documentary portrait of singer Chavela Vargas, Chavela and Naoko Ogigami's drama Close Knit.
The independent jury awards were also announced.
Prizes Of The International Short Film Jury
Berlin Short Film Nominee For The European Film Awards
The Artificial Humours (Os Humores Artificiais) by Gabriel Abrantes
Prizes Of The Ecumenical Jury
Competition prize:
On Body and Soul (Testről és lélekről...
The Panorama audience awards were given to Oscar-nominated documentary I Am Not Your Negro – Raoul Peck's examination of Us race relations through the work of James Baldwin and his three assassinated friends - and Philippe van Leeuw's drama about a family under siege in war-torn Syria Insyriated.
The audience vote runners up in the audience vote were Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi's documentary portrait of singer Chavela Vargas, Chavela and Naoko Ogigami's drama Close Knit.
The independent jury awards were also announced.
Prizes Of The International Short Film Jury
Berlin Short Film Nominee For The European Film Awards
The Artificial Humours (Os Humores Artificiais) by Gabriel Abrantes
Prizes Of The Ecumenical Jury
Competition prize:
On Body and Soul (Testről és lélekről...
- 2/18/2017
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
If the direct emotion pull and inclusive vibe of Naoko Ogigami’s Close-Knit could be expressed in a single scene it would perhaps be the moment early (Ogigami’s only use of flashback) when a central character named Rinko (played by Tomo Ikuta) remembers the day when she came home from school to find that her mother had bought Rinko her first bra and knitted her some fake boobs. We learn that some students had been bullying and body-shaming Rinko in P.E. class and so understandably (and adorably) her mother wanted to help her get through it. Like much of the film, it’s a basic enough scene: classy without the need for flash; simply shot in crisp natural light; unmistakably sentimental but with an earnest and playfully subversive undercurrent of humor running through. The rub here is that Rinko was not born a woman and is struggling with her transition.
- 2/16/2017
- by Rory O'Connor
- The Film Stage
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