“Kagemusha” is one of the best films Akira Kurosawa ever shot and is considered one of the definite masterpieces of world cinema. However, its production was one of the most difficult accomplishments in the master's filmography. Initially, the film was not considered financially viable, and it took the influence of both George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola to get additional funds for it to be completed, since Toho, the initial production company, had given up on the film. However, the problems continued during the shooting, with probably the most significant being that Kurosawa had to replace Shintaro Katsu, who was originally cast as Takeda Shingen, with Tatsuya Nakadai, after the two of them had a falling out. The production faced many additional problems, but Kurosawa eventually managed to complete the movie, with its premiere taking place in Tokyo. His struggles, however, paid off, since “Kagemusha” was a huge hit both critically and financially.
- 2/27/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
On the occasion of his films, Her Love Boils Bathwater, A Long Goodbye and The Asadas screening at at Japan Society as part of Family Portrait: Japanese Family in Flux program, Ryota Nakano talks to Panos Kotzathanasis about him working on family dramas, how has changed through the years, the three movies in detail, working with Tsutomu Yamazaki and the late Yuko Takeuchi, Masashi Asada and other topics.
- 2/25/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Family-centred dramas seem to have become the specialty of director Ryota Nakano since his feature debut “Capturing Dad”. His 2016's film “Her Love Boils Water” earned him a remarkable number of awards and nominations and “A Long Goodbye” was the following work, with a stellar cast. It will be followed in 2020, by another family narration, “The Asadas”, where a real story gives him a vehicle to talk about the dramatic events of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
A Long Goodbye is screening at Japan Society as part of the Family Portrait program
It's 2007 and Fumi (Yu Aoi) and older sister Mari (Yuko Takeuchi) are summoned by their mum Yoko (Chieko Matsubara) to celebrate the 70th birthday of their father Shohei (Tsutomu Yamazaki), a former headmaster, stern and entirely dedicated to his work. Soon it's clear that the birthday celebration is just an excuse to deliver an uneasy message. Shohei was...
A Long Goodbye is screening at Japan Society as part of the Family Portrait program
It's 2007 and Fumi (Yu Aoi) and older sister Mari (Yuko Takeuchi) are summoned by their mum Yoko (Chieko Matsubara) to celebrate the 70th birthday of their father Shohei (Tsutomu Yamazaki), a former headmaster, stern and entirely dedicated to his work. Soon it's clear that the birthday celebration is just an excuse to deliver an uneasy message. Shohei was...
- 2/22/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
“High and Low” received nominations for the Golden Lion at the 24th Venice Film Festival, and the Best Foreign Film at the 21st Golden Globe Awards. It was also awarded at the Mainichi Film Awards for the Best Film, and for the Best Screenplay. Upon its release in Japan, it earned approximately $1.3 million and became the top-grossing film of 1963.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The script, written by Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, Eijiro Hisaita, and Ryuzo Kikushima, is loosely based on Evan Hunter's novel from 1959, “King's Ransom”. Toho, the film company that Kurosawa was working with at the time, acquired the film rights for $5,000. The first half of the story revolves around Kingo Gondo (Toshiro Mifune), a board member of a Japanese shoe company, facing a critical dilemma. He must decide whether to use his considerable wealth to secure executive control in the company or help his chauffeur,...
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The script, written by Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, Eijiro Hisaita, and Ryuzo Kikushima, is loosely based on Evan Hunter's novel from 1959, “King's Ransom”. Toho, the film company that Kurosawa was working with at the time, acquired the film rights for $5,000. The first half of the story revolves around Kingo Gondo (Toshiro Mifune), a board member of a Japanese shoe company, facing a critical dilemma. He must decide whether to use his considerable wealth to secure executive control in the company or help his chauffeur,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Tobiasz Dunin
- AsianMoviePulse
Presented by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, and Japan Society
February 15-24, 2024 at Japan Society
and partner venues in NYC
New York, NY – Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan and Japan Society are proud to announce the eighth installment of the Aca Cinema Project film series – Family Portrait: Japanese Family in Flux – an ongoing initiative fostered by the Government of Japan to increase awareness and appreciation of Japanese films and filmmakers in the United States. The Aca Cinema Project has presented events in both New York and LA since 2021, and its upcoming edition will showcase over nine contemporary and classic films from February 15-24, 2024 all with the central theme of the modern family. The bonds of the Japanese family are often revered in the West, and this series will both celebrate these traditions as well as call into question their reality and relevance in our quickly changing modern world.
February 15-24, 2024 at Japan Society
and partner venues in NYC
New York, NY – Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan and Japan Society are proud to announce the eighth installment of the Aca Cinema Project film series – Family Portrait: Japanese Family in Flux – an ongoing initiative fostered by the Government of Japan to increase awareness and appreciation of Japanese films and filmmakers in the United States. The Aca Cinema Project has presented events in both New York and LA since 2021, and its upcoming edition will showcase over nine contemporary and classic films from February 15-24, 2024 all with the central theme of the modern family. The bonds of the Japanese family are often revered in the West, and this series will both celebrate these traditions as well as call into question their reality and relevance in our quickly changing modern world.
- 1/24/2024
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
As part of the Aca Cinema Project––”an ongoing initiative fostered by the Government of Japan to increase awareness and appreciation of Japanese films and filmmakers in the United States”––Japan Society will run “Family Portrait: Japanese Family in Flux” from February 15-24. A mix of American premieres and repertory showings, this series puts “bonds of the Japanese family” front and center to “both celebrate these traditions as well as call into question their reality and relevance in our quickly changing modern world.”
U.S. premieres include Kazuyoshi Kumakiri’s Yoko, starring Rinko Kikuchi, and Keiko Tsuruoka’s Tsugaru Lacquer Girl. A special spotlight is given to Ryota Nakano, whose A Long Goodbye and exquisitely titled Her Love Boils Bathwater will be making New York debuts; his 2020 feature The Asadas also plays.
Repertory screenings will be held for Kohei Oguri’s Muddy River, Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Tokyo Sonata, Kore-eda’s Still Walking,...
U.S. premieres include Kazuyoshi Kumakiri’s Yoko, starring Rinko Kikuchi, and Keiko Tsuruoka’s Tsugaru Lacquer Girl. A special spotlight is given to Ryota Nakano, whose A Long Goodbye and exquisitely titled Her Love Boils Bathwater will be making New York debuts; his 2020 feature The Asadas also plays.
Repertory screenings will be held for Kohei Oguri’s Muddy River, Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Tokyo Sonata, Kore-eda’s Still Walking,...
- 1/17/2024
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
In what is definitely one of the greatest transitions in movie history, former actor Juzo Itami wrote and directed his first film in 1984, “The Funeral” which ended up netting five Japanese Academy Awards in 1985, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor for Tsutomu Yamazaki, while it also came first in the annual Kinema Junpo critics' poll. The production was financed by Itami and his wife Nobuko Miyamoto, along with a friend of theirs, the cake mogul Yasushi Tamaoki, and was distributed by Atg. The script was inspired by Itami's own experience of his father-in-law's funeral, while it was shot in the house of the family, and the son of the couple also played a part.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The movie begins with the narrator introducing us to an elderly couple, Shinkichi Amamiya and his wife, Kikue, just before the former has...
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The movie begins with the narrator introducing us to an elderly couple, Shinkichi Amamiya and his wife, Kikue, just before the former has...
- 9/13/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Similar to other cultures, the Japanese one has its fair share of coming-of-age-stories, as they make up a majority of the books and movies coming out each year. However, with this high number, it is impossible to have some kind of oversight and thus discover those which truly stand out, especially since the themes, characters and aesthetics are very similar, with many Japanese productions also trying to mimic European arthouse-cinema as we have discussed here on Amp. In 2001, director Isao Yukisada successfully diverted from this formula with “Go”, which tells the story of a teenager trying to find his way in life, but also his identity within Japan and its trends towards conformity and obedience. The feature, which became Japan's entry for the Oscars the same year, may be a true (re-) discovery for many cinephiles and critics as its observations and treatment of the aforementioned topics is still quite...
- 4/6/2023
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Unlike many of his Japanese filmmaking peers such as Yasujirō Ozu and Masaki Kobayashi, Akira Kurosawa often adapted Western literature in his films. That said, he was always sure to give them a Japanese reframing. He remade "Macbeth," "Hamlet," and "King Lear" as "Throne of Blood," "The Bad Sleep Well," and "Ran," respectively. However, "Throne" and "Ran" traded medieval Scotland/England for Feudal Japan while "The Bad Sleep Well" was about the 20th-century Japanese corporate world, not the Danish monarchy.
While Kurosawa was a student of Shakespeare, he didn't only trade in high-end literature. For "High and Low," he adapted the pulp detective novel "King's Ransom," moving the setting from Manhattan to Yokohama.
National Shoes executive Kingo Gondo (Toshiro Mifune) is disgusted by his colleagues' greed and apathy. He plans a leveraged buyout of the company, putting his life savings on the line. Unfortunately for Gondo, a kidnapper picks the...
While Kurosawa was a student of Shakespeare, he didn't only trade in high-end literature. For "High and Low," he adapted the pulp detective novel "King's Ransom," moving the setting from Manhattan to Yokohama.
National Shoes executive Kingo Gondo (Toshiro Mifune) is disgusted by his colleagues' greed and apathy. He plans a leveraged buyout of the company, putting his life savings on the line. Unfortunately for Gondo, a kidnapper picks the...
- 12/18/2022
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
It is always a joyful event whenever a new film by director Shûichi Okita is released; you can count on it, you know you will get a gift of beauty and laugh. His latest work, “Mori, the Artist’s Habitat” is no exception. Based on a day in the real life of the eccentric artist Kumagai Morikazu, the film is a loving portrait of a content man.
“Mori, The Artist’s Habitat“ is screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
It’s a summer day of 1974 and 94-year old artist Morikazu Kumagai (Tsutomu Yamazaki) lives with his wife Hideko (Kirin Kiki) and jolly housemaid Mie-chan (Nobuke Iketani) in an old-fashion house in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, surrounded by a lush and rather overgrown garden. He is well known for his reclusive life – not having left the house for decades – and for his routine explorations of nature in the yard. Every day after breakfast,...
“Mori, The Artist’s Habitat“ is screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
It’s a summer day of 1974 and 94-year old artist Morikazu Kumagai (Tsutomu Yamazaki) lives with his wife Hideko (Kirin Kiki) and jolly housemaid Mie-chan (Nobuke Iketani) in an old-fashion house in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, surrounded by a lush and rather overgrown garden. He is well known for his reclusive life – not having left the house for decades – and for his routine explorations of nature in the yard. Every day after breakfast,...
- 11/22/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Another Decade with Takashi Miike is a series of essays on the 2010s films of the Japanese maverick, following Notebook's earlier survey of Miike's first decade of the 21st century.Being in league with Takashi Miike, taking the sensually arrayed and flayed curtains of flesh in stride, has a way of making one think of Claude Rains in Lawrence of Arabia: “It is recognized that you have a funny sense of fun.” When you make it your life’s work to decorate the insides of cinemas with the exploits of desperate, subhuman Yakuza, your idea of the business of law enforcement and especially your idea of heroism are bound to be just as warped as your sense of "fun". Miike’s cop movies are few and far between—he doesn’t get cops and he doesn’t much like them. There’s something about lying to people about the...
- 8/31/2020
- MUBI
Many films have become the quintessential viewing schedule for cinephiles planning to take their first steps into Asian filmmaking. And while naturally names such as Yasujiro Ozu and Akira Kurosawa come to mind, Juzo Itami’s “Tampopo” is also one of those titles frequently mentioned within those lists. Considered a “ramen western” by reviewers as well as the director himself, “Tampopo” is not only a celebration of Japanese cuisine, but also of the pleasures within our lives, the various ingredients that make our time on earth as enjoyable as the various ramen dishes served in the film.
“Tampopo” is screening at New York Asian Film Festival – Winter Showcase 2020
After he has heard his young colleague Gun (Ken Watanabe) telling him a story about how to correctly enjoy ramen, truck driver Goro (Tsutomu Yamazaki) and him end up at a run-down ramen shop. The owner, a woman named Tampopo (Nobuko Miyamoto), tries to make ends meet,...
“Tampopo” is screening at New York Asian Film Festival – Winter Showcase 2020
After he has heard his young colleague Gun (Ken Watanabe) telling him a story about how to correctly enjoy ramen, truck driver Goro (Tsutomu Yamazaki) and him end up at a run-down ramen shop. The owner, a woman named Tampopo (Nobuko Miyamoto), tries to make ends meet,...
- 2/17/2020
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Kintaro Yajima (Katsunori Takahashi) once was the leader of an infamous biker gang, but as he became a father, he exchanged his bike for a business suit and began working for Yamato Construction. Behind the scenes, a politician along with a rival company schemes to destroy Kinatro’s employer by taking away or canceling all government contracts the firm has or competes with alongside other companies. During this time, Kintaro’s boss sends his employee to work with Igo (Tsutomu Yamazaki), a former friend of Yamato and manager of the company, who over the years has been more fond of gambling and/or drinking than taking care of business affairs.
While Kintaro has trouble getting through to Igo, Yamato loses more contracts, which jeopardizes the company as a whole along with the livelihood of its employees. Brave and confident in his abilities, Kintaro tries to fight what he sees as...
While Kintaro has trouble getting through to Igo, Yamato loses more contracts, which jeopardizes the company as a whole along with the livelihood of its employees. Brave and confident in his abilities, Kintaro tries to fight what he sees as...
- 8/8/2019
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
It is always a joyful event whenever a new film by director Shûichi Okita is released; you can count on it, you know you will get a gift of beauty and laugh. His latest work, “Mori, the Artist’s Habitat” is no exception. Based on a day in the real life of the eccentric artist Kumagai Morikazu, the film is a loving portrait of a content man.
“Mori, The Artist’s Habitat” screened at Japan Cuts 2018
It’s a summer day of 1974 and 94-year old artist Morikazu Kumagai (Tsutomu Yamazaki) lives with his wife Hideko (Kirin Kiki) and jolly housemaid Mie-chan (Nobuke Iketani) in an old-fashion house in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, surrounded by a lush and rather overgrown garden. He is well known for his reclusive life – not having left the house for decades – and for his routine explorations of nature in the yard. Every day after breakfast, he gets ready...
“Mori, The Artist’s Habitat” screened at Japan Cuts 2018
It’s a summer day of 1974 and 94-year old artist Morikazu Kumagai (Tsutomu Yamazaki) lives with his wife Hideko (Kirin Kiki) and jolly housemaid Mie-chan (Nobuke Iketani) in an old-fashion house in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, surrounded by a lush and rather overgrown garden. He is well known for his reclusive life – not having left the house for decades – and for his routine explorations of nature in the yard. Every day after breakfast, he gets ready...
- 7/1/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Shuichi Okita graduated from Nihon University College of Art’s Cinema Course in 2011. He produced his first feature-length film, ‘Kono subarashiki Sekai’ in 2006. In 2009, the highly-praised ‘Chef of the South Polar’ became a national hit. In 2012, ‘The Woodsman and the Rain’ won the Special Jury Prize at Tiff and three awards at Dubai Iff. The following year, ‘A story of Yonosuke’ won Best Picture at the Blue Ribbon Awards. (bio courtesy of Nikodem Karolak)
On the occasion of his “Mori, The Artist’s Habitat” screening at Cine Aasia Film Festival, we speak with him about the Kumagai and the film’s approach, his movies, working with veterans, the Japanese movie industry and other topics.
Why did you choose to shoot a film about Kumagai and what kind of research did you do about him?
When I was shooting “The Woodsman and the Rain”, in which Tsutomu Yamazaki had a small role,...
On the occasion of his “Mori, The Artist’s Habitat” screening at Cine Aasia Film Festival, we speak with him about the Kumagai and the film’s approach, his movies, working with veterans, the Japanese movie industry and other topics.
Why did you choose to shoot a film about Kumagai and what kind of research did you do about him?
When I was shooting “The Woodsman and the Rain”, in which Tsutomu Yamazaki had a small role,...
- 3/22/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
It is always a joyful event whenever a new film by director Shûichi Okita is released; you can count on it, you know you will get a gift of beauty and laugh. His latest work, “Mori, the Artist’s Habitat” is no exception. Based on a day in the real life of the eccentric artist Kumagai Morikazu, the film is a loving portrait of a content man.
“Mori, The Artist’s Habitat” is screening at Helsinki Cine Aasia 2019
It’s a summer day of 1974 and 94-year old artist Morikazu Kumagai (Tsutomu Yamazaki) lives with his wife Hideko (Kirin Kiki) and jolly housemaid Mie-chan (Nobuke Iketani) in an old-fashion house in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, surrounded by a lush and rather overgrown garden. He is well known for his reclusive life – not having left the house for decades – and for his routine explorations of nature in the yard. Every day after breakfast, he...
“Mori, The Artist’s Habitat” is screening at Helsinki Cine Aasia 2019
It’s a summer day of 1974 and 94-year old artist Morikazu Kumagai (Tsutomu Yamazaki) lives with his wife Hideko (Kirin Kiki) and jolly housemaid Mie-chan (Nobuke Iketani) in an old-fashion house in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, surrounded by a lush and rather overgrown garden. He is well known for his reclusive life – not having left the house for decades – and for his routine explorations of nature in the yard. Every day after breakfast, he...
- 3/14/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The seventh edition of the Helsinki Cine AAsia is set to take place 14th and 17th March, 2019 and the festival has today announced its Opening Film as well as Guest of Honour.
The Finnish festival will open this year with Shuichi Okita’s warm-hearted drama “Mori, The Artist’s Habitat“. One of the late, great Kiki Kirin’s last films, “Mori, The Artist’s Habitat” is a depiction of one day in the life of the 94-year-old Morikazu Kumagai, played in the film by Tsutomu Yamazaki. The off-beat artist has not left his home in decades and spends his time in fascinated observation of flora and fauna in his small garden. Day after day the world comes for a visit in the form of various visitors, each more peculiar than the one before.
The festival also announced that the film’s director Shuichi Okita will be the Guest of Honour this year.
The Finnish festival will open this year with Shuichi Okita’s warm-hearted drama “Mori, The Artist’s Habitat“. One of the late, great Kiki Kirin’s last films, “Mori, The Artist’s Habitat” is a depiction of one day in the life of the 94-year-old Morikazu Kumagai, played in the film by Tsutomu Yamazaki. The off-beat artist has not left his home in decades and spends his time in fascinated observation of flora and fauna in his small garden. Day after day the world comes for a visit in the form of various visitors, each more peculiar than the one before.
The festival also announced that the film’s director Shuichi Okita will be the Guest of Honour this year.
- 2/15/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Shuichi Okita – graduated from Nihon University College of Art’s Cinema Course in 2011. Produced his first feature-length film, ‘Kono subarashiki Sekai’ in 2006. In 2009, the highly-praised ‘Chef of the South Polar’ became a national hit. In 2012, ‘The Woodsman and the Rain’ won the Special Jury Prize at Tiff and three awards at Dubai Iff. The following year, ‘A story of Yonosuke’ won Best Picture at the Blue Ribbon Awards.
Two films by Shuichi Okita has been presented during the 31st Tokyo International Film Festival:
‘Mori, the artist’s habitat’ – heart-warming, original story of legendary artist Morikazu Kumagai who lived his last 30 years as a recluse, observing and drawing the creatures of his garden. Mori, 94 and his wife, Hideko, 76 have been married for 52 years. Their home is often bustling with people. The film takes place on one such summer day in 1994.
‘The Woodsman and the Rain’ – when a film crew comes to...
Two films by Shuichi Okita has been presented during the 31st Tokyo International Film Festival:
‘Mori, the artist’s habitat’ – heart-warming, original story of legendary artist Morikazu Kumagai who lived his last 30 years as a recluse, observing and drawing the creatures of his garden. Mori, 94 and his wife, Hideko, 76 have been married for 52 years. Their home is often bustling with people. The film takes place on one such summer day in 1994.
‘The Woodsman and the Rain’ – when a film crew comes to...
- 11/24/2018
- by Nikodem Karolak
- AsianMoviePulse
It is always a joyful event whenever a new film by director Shûichi Okita is released; you can count on it, you know you will get a gift of beauty and laugh. His latest work, “Mori, the Artist’s Habitat” is no exception. Based on a day in the real life of the eccentric artist Kumagai Morikazu, the film is a loving portrait of a content man.
“Mori, The Artist’s Habitat” is screening at Japan Cuts 2018
It’s a summer day of 1974 and 94-year old artist Morikazu Kumagai (Tsutomu Yamazaki) lives with his wife Hideko (Kirin Kiki) and jolly housemaid Mie-chan (Nobuke Iketani) in an old-fashion house in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, surrounded by a lush and rather overgrown garden. He is well known for his reclusive life – not having left the house for decades – and for his routine explorations of nature in the yard. Every day after breakfast, he gets...
“Mori, The Artist’s Habitat” is screening at Japan Cuts 2018
It’s a summer day of 1974 and 94-year old artist Morikazu Kumagai (Tsutomu Yamazaki) lives with his wife Hideko (Kirin Kiki) and jolly housemaid Mie-chan (Nobuke Iketani) in an old-fashion house in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, surrounded by a lush and rather overgrown garden. He is well known for his reclusive life – not having left the house for decades – and for his routine explorations of nature in the yard. Every day after breakfast, he gets...
- 7/28/2018
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
On February 13th, an immortal samurai's vengeance can be yours to own. Takashi Miike's centennial film Blade of the Immortal is coming to Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of Magnolia Home Entertainment, and it comes with five special features. Continue reading for specs and a look at the red band trailer in case you missed it.
Blu-ray.com reports that Blade of the Immortal, Takashi Miike's 100th film, will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on February 13th from Magnolia Home Entertainment. The Blu-ray release will include the following special features:
Manji vs. 300 - Featurette Takuya Kimura Interview Cast Interviews Poster Gallery Original Trailers
Synopsis: "Cursed with immortality, a highly skilled samurai in feudal Japan promises to help a young woman avenge the death of her parents. Their mission leads them into a bloody battle with a ruthless warrior and his band of master swordsmen."
Directed by Takashi Miike and...
Blu-ray.com reports that Blade of the Immortal, Takashi Miike's 100th film, will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on February 13th from Magnolia Home Entertainment. The Blu-ray release will include the following special features:
Manji vs. 300 - Featurette Takuya Kimura Interview Cast Interviews Poster Gallery Original Trailers
Synopsis: "Cursed with immortality, a highly skilled samurai in feudal Japan promises to help a young woman avenge the death of her parents. Their mission leads them into a bloody battle with a ruthless warrior and his band of master swordsmen."
Directed by Takashi Miike and...
- 1/22/2018
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Over the better part of three decades, filmmaker Takashi Miike has dazzled viewers with bold cinematic visions like 13 Assassins, Audition, and Ichi the Killer. Now, for his 100th film, Miike shows us the high body count that comes from a warrior who can't die in Blade of the Immortal, and we've been provided with an exclusive look at the alternative poster for the film.
You can check out the stylish slashes on the exclusive alternative poster below, and keep an eye out for Blade of the Immortal in theaters this November from Magnet Releasing.
Synopsis: "Manji, a highly skilled samurai, becomes cursed with immortality after a legendary battle. Haunted by the brutal murder of his sister, Manji knows that only fighting evil will regain his soul. He promises to help a young girl named Rin avenge her parents, who were killed by a group of master swordsmen led by ruthless warrior Anotsu.
You can check out the stylish slashes on the exclusive alternative poster below, and keep an eye out for Blade of the Immortal in theaters this November from Magnet Releasing.
Synopsis: "Manji, a highly skilled samurai, becomes cursed with immortality after a legendary battle. Haunted by the brutal murder of his sister, Manji knows that only fighting evil will regain his soul. He promises to help a young girl named Rin avenge her parents, who were killed by a group of master swordsmen led by ruthless warrior Anotsu.
- 10/30/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Based on the manga series of the same name by Hiroaki Samura, Takashi Miike’s Blade Of The Immortal follows “an immortal swordsman who will not be able to lift his curse of everlasting life until 1000 evildoers feel the cut of his steel.”
Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty, and now lives life in feudal Japan as a criminal. After being cursed with immortality until he kills enough evil men, Manji meets a young girl who enlists him to be her body-guard. Swearing loyalty, protection and vengeance against the group of sword fighters who slaughtered her family, the unlikely duo set on a remarkable quest to make right against those who did them wrong.
Starring Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki, Blade Of The Immortal hits Us cinemas on 3rd November...
Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty, and now lives life in feudal Japan as a criminal. After being cursed with immortality until he kills enough evil men, Manji meets a young girl who enlists him to be her body-guard. Swearing loyalty, protection and vengeance against the group of sword fighters who slaughtered her family, the unlikely duo set on a remarkable quest to make right against those who did them wrong.
Starring Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki, Blade Of The Immortal hits Us cinemas on 3rd November...
- 10/2/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
This great recent Japanese epic is all but unknown here — and is the kind of adult historical show that we seem incapable of these days. The intense diplomatic storm at the end of WW2 with an Army command willing to sacrifice the nation in a national suicide pact, is given an exciting, thoughtful treatment
The Emperor in August
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
2015 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 136 min. / Street Date August 15, 2017 / Nihon no ichiban nagai hi ketteiban / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store 29.95
Starring: Koji Yakusho, Masahiro Motoki, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Shin’ichi Tsutsumi, Tori Matsuzaka, Kikuo Kaneuchi, Misuzu Kanno, Katsumi Kiba.
Cinematography: Takahide Shibanushi
Film Editor: Eugene Harada
Original Music: Harumi Fuki
Based on the novel by Kacutoshi Hando
Produced by Hirotaki Aragaki, Nozumi Enoki
Written and Directed by Masato Harada
How does Twilight Time do it? Every time they offer a foreign title I’ve never heard of, it comes up a winner.
The Emperor in August
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
2015 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 136 min. / Street Date August 15, 2017 / Nihon no ichiban nagai hi ketteiban / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store 29.95
Starring: Koji Yakusho, Masahiro Motoki, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Shin’ichi Tsutsumi, Tori Matsuzaka, Kikuo Kaneuchi, Misuzu Kanno, Katsumi Kiba.
Cinematography: Takahide Shibanushi
Film Editor: Eugene Harada
Original Music: Harumi Fuki
Based on the novel by Kacutoshi Hando
Produced by Hirotaki Aragaki, Nozumi Enoki
Written and Directed by Masato Harada
How does Twilight Time do it? Every time they offer a foreign title I’ve never heard of, it comes up a winner.
- 9/9/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Based on the manga series of the same name by Hiroaki Samura, Takashi Miike’s Blade Of The Immortal follows “an immortal swordsman who will not be able to lift his curse of everlasting life until 1000 evildoers feel the cut of his steel.”
Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty, and now lives life in feudal Japan as a criminal. After being cursed with immortality until he kills enough evil men, Manji meets a young girl who enlists him to be her body-guard. Swearing loyalty, protection and vengeance against the group of sword fighters who slaughtered her family, the unlikely duo set on a remarkable quest to make right against those who did them wrong.
Starring Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki, Blade Of The Immortal hits Us cinemas on 3rd November...
Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty, and now lives life in feudal Japan as a criminal. After being cursed with immortality until he kills enough evil men, Manji meets a young girl who enlists him to be her body-guard. Swearing loyalty, protection and vengeance against the group of sword fighters who slaughtered her family, the unlikely duo set on a remarkable quest to make right against those who did them wrong.
Starring Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki, Blade Of The Immortal hits Us cinemas on 3rd November...
- 8/31/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Tony Sokol Sep 1, 2017
Here's the trailer for Takashi Miike's Blade Of The Immortal...
“Sorry, got blood on it,” Samurai Manji apologises in the new Blood Of The Immortal trailer, undercutting a subtle action hero wit just under the skin of Takashi Miike's 100th film.
The trailer then shows the tireless warrior face off against armies, risking lives and losing limbs in a breakneck assault on the senses. The 13 Assassins director is still as fresh as the wounds his swordsmen inflict on armies of assassins. The film premiered in May at Cannes. Magnet Releasing announced Blade Of The Immortal will open in America in November, although no UK date has thus far been confirmed.
Written and directed by Miike, the epic fantasy film is is based on Hiroaki Samura’s Japanese manga series Blade Of The Immortal.
“Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty,...
Here's the trailer for Takashi Miike's Blade Of The Immortal...
“Sorry, got blood on it,” Samurai Manji apologises in the new Blood Of The Immortal trailer, undercutting a subtle action hero wit just under the skin of Takashi Miike's 100th film.
The trailer then shows the tireless warrior face off against armies, risking lives and losing limbs in a breakneck assault on the senses. The 13 Assassins director is still as fresh as the wounds his swordsmen inflict on armies of assassins. The film premiered in May at Cannes. Magnet Releasing announced Blade Of The Immortal will open in America in November, although no UK date has thus far been confirmed.
Written and directed by Miike, the epic fantasy film is is based on Hiroaki Samura’s Japanese manga series Blade Of The Immortal.
“Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty,...
- 8/31/2017
- Den of Geek
Premiering at Cannes this year, Takashi Miike brought his (100th!) new film Blade of the Immortal, a jidaigeki (period drama) action film based on the manga series by Hiroaki Samura. The story follows Manji, a samurai who cannot be killed by any wound, but who is vulnerable to a rare poison. Manji is enlisted by a young girl to avenge her parents, who were killed by a master swordsman.
Now set for a North American premiere at Fantastic Fest followed by a release in November, the first U.S. red band trailer has landed courtesy of Magnet Releasing. Featuring a wild ensemble of characters and slick-looking action, it’s looking like the ideal alternative from prestige fare this fall. Starring Takuya Kimura, Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi, Ebizô Ichikawa, Min Tanaka, and Tsutomu Yamazaki, see the trailer below.
Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty, and...
Now set for a North American premiere at Fantastic Fest followed by a release in November, the first U.S. red band trailer has landed courtesy of Magnet Releasing. Featuring a wild ensemble of characters and slick-looking action, it’s looking like the ideal alternative from prestige fare this fall. Starring Takuya Kimura, Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi, Ebizô Ichikawa, Min Tanaka, and Tsutomu Yamazaki, see the trailer below.
Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty, and...
- 8/31/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Magnet Releasing, the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, has just posted the Red Band trailer for the upcoming film "Blade Of The Immortal", based on the manga by Hiroaki Samura. The film is directed by Takashi Miike and written by Tetsuya Oishi. Takuya Kimura, one of Japan's biggest stars ("Space Battleship"), plays the lead alongside newcomer Hana Sugisaki. Sôta Fukushi and Ebizô Ichikawa ("13 Assassins") round out the cast with veterans Min Tanaka and Tsutomu Yamazaki. "Blade Of The Immortal" marks Japanese director Takashi Miike's 100th film ! The Blade of the Immortal manga was first published in “Afternoon” from June 25, 1993 to December 25, 2012. An anime adaptation was produced in 2008 as well as a Japanese novel. The American version of the novel was released in...
- 8/31/2017
- www.ohmygore.com/
From RedBand.Ca, Sneak Peek the restricted 'red band' trailer supporting director Takashi Miike's live-action "Blade Of The Immortal" Japanese 'jidaigeki' action feature, starring Takuya Kimura, Hana Sugisaki, Sōta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara,Erika Toda,Kazuki Kitamura, Chiaki Kuriyama, Shinnosuke Mitsushima, Ichikawa Ebizō XI, Min Tanaka and Tsutomu Yamazaki, adapting the 'manga' comics series by Hiroaki Samura:
"....'Manji' is a samurai who apparently cannot be killed by any injury.
"He crosses paths with 'Rin Asano', whose parents were killed by a group of master swordsmen...
"...and promises to avenge their deaths..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Blade Of The Immortal"....
"....'Manji' is a samurai who apparently cannot be killed by any injury.
"He crosses paths with 'Rin Asano', whose parents were killed by a group of master swordsmen...
"...and promises to avenge their deaths..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Blade Of The Immortal"....
- 8/30/2017
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Over the better part of three decades, filmmaker Takashi Miike has dazzled viewers with bold cinematic visions like 13 Assassins, Audition, and Ichi the Killer. Now, for his 100th film, Miike shows us the high body count that comes from a warrior who can't die in Blade of the Immortal, featured in a new red band trailer brimming with gorgeously orchestrated action piles of dismembered limbs.
"Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty, and now lives life in feudal Japan as a criminal. After being cursed with immortality until he kills enough evil men, Manji meets a young girl who enlists him to be her body-guard. Swearing loyalty, protection and vengeance against the group of sword fighters who slaughtered her family, the unlikely duo set on a remarkable quest to make right against those who did them wrong."
Written and directed by Takashi Miike, Blade of the Immortal stars Takuya Kimura,...
"Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty, and now lives life in feudal Japan as a criminal. After being cursed with immortality until he kills enough evil men, Manji meets a young girl who enlists him to be her body-guard. Swearing loyalty, protection and vengeance against the group of sword fighters who slaughtered her family, the unlikely duo set on a remarkable quest to make right against those who did them wrong."
Written and directed by Takashi Miike, Blade of the Immortal stars Takuya Kimura,...
- 8/30/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
"There is a man somewhere in edo who will never die." Magnet Releasing has debuted a badass, bloody new red band trailer for Takashi Miike's Blade of the Immortal, being billed as the "100th film" from the Japanese filmmaker. Adapted from a manga of the same name, it's about an immortal samurai who has to kill 1000 evil men in order to regain his mortality after being hired to protect a young girl. Starring Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki. The film first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and is also playing at Fantastic Fest this fall. I interviewed Takashi Miike at Cannes, talking about violence and more. This has some seriously awesome action, and a totally weird, wild story. As expected from Miike. Here's the newest red band trailer for Takashi Miike's Blade of the Immortal,...
- 8/30/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Battles Without Honor And Humanity from director Kinji Fukasaku will be available from Arrow Academy on August 28th
In the early 1970s, Kinji Fukasaku’s three-film Battles Without Honor and Humanity series was a massive hit in Japan, and kicked off a boom in realistic, modern yakuza films based on true stories. Although Fukasaku had intended to end the series, Toei Studio convinced him to return to the director’s chair for this unconnected, follow-up trilogy of films, each starring Battles leading man Bunta Sugawara and telling separate, but fictional stories about the yakuza in different locations in Japan. In the first film, Bunta Sugawara is Miyoshi, a low-level assassin of the Yamamori gang who is sent to jail after a bungled hit. While in stir, family member Aoki (Lone Wolf and Cub‘s Tomisaburo Wakayama) attempts to seize power from the boss, and Miyoshi finds himself stuck between the...
In the early 1970s, Kinji Fukasaku’s three-film Battles Without Honor and Humanity series was a massive hit in Japan, and kicked off a boom in realistic, modern yakuza films based on true stories. Although Fukasaku had intended to end the series, Toei Studio convinced him to return to the director’s chair for this unconnected, follow-up trilogy of films, each starring Battles leading man Bunta Sugawara and telling separate, but fictional stories about the yakuza in different locations in Japan. In the first film, Bunta Sugawara is Miyoshi, a low-level assassin of the Yamamori gang who is sent to jail after a bungled hit. While in stir, family member Aoki (Lone Wolf and Cub‘s Tomisaburo Wakayama) attempts to seize power from the boss, and Miyoshi finds himself stuck between the...
- 8/7/2017
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Exclusive: HanWay inks deal with Arrow Films, which plots “major” release.
Arrow Films has acquired all UK rights for Blade Of The Immortal from HanWay at Cannes Film Festival.
Takashi Miike’s samurai epic, based on Hiroaki Samura’s long-running manga of the same name, follows an immortal warrior who is enlisted by a young girl to avenge her parents’ slaughter at the hand of a group of master swordsmen.
Takuya Kimura (Hero), plays the lead alongside newcomer Hana Sugisaki. Sôta Fukushi and Ebizô Ichikawa (13 Assassins) round out the cast with veterans Min Tanaka and Tsutomu Yamazaki.
Arrow plans to release the film later this year.
The film was written by Tetsuya Oishi and produced by Jeremy Thomas, Misako Saka, and Shigeji Maeda, with Warner Bros Japan.
The deal was negotiated by Mark Lane at HanWay Films on behalf of the filmmakers with Tom Stewart, acquisitions director of Arrow Films, who said of...
Arrow Films has acquired all UK rights for Blade Of The Immortal from HanWay at Cannes Film Festival.
Takashi Miike’s samurai epic, based on Hiroaki Samura’s long-running manga of the same name, follows an immortal warrior who is enlisted by a young girl to avenge her parents’ slaughter at the hand of a group of master swordsmen.
Takuya Kimura (Hero), plays the lead alongside newcomer Hana Sugisaki. Sôta Fukushi and Ebizô Ichikawa (13 Assassins) round out the cast with veterans Min Tanaka and Tsutomu Yamazaki.
Arrow plans to release the film later this year.
The film was written by Tetsuya Oishi and produced by Jeremy Thomas, Misako Saka, and Shigeji Maeda, with Warner Bros Japan.
The deal was negotiated by Mark Lane at HanWay Films on behalf of the filmmakers with Tom Stewart, acquisitions director of Arrow Films, who said of...
- 5/24/2017
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Takashi Miike’s latest samurai film, “Blade of the Immortal” (“Mugen no jûnin”), is one of the five films screening Out of Competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The movie — the 100th for the Japanese director — was produced by Academy Award winner Jeremy Thomas (“The Last Emperor”). The film stars Takuya Kimura in the lead role.
Read More: Blade of the Immortal’ Review: Takashi Miike’s Landmark Feature Is One of His Most Lethal Genre Offerings Ever – Cannes
Based on Hiroaki Samura’s eponymous manga series, the film follows a masterful samurai named Manji (Kimura) who is cursed with immortality as a result of an epic battle. He’s haunted by the murder of his sister, and resorts to fighting evil in order to regain his soul. He helps a young girl (Hana Sugisaki) avenge her parents’ killing by a group of master swordsmen led by ruthless warrior...
Read More: Blade of the Immortal’ Review: Takashi Miike’s Landmark Feature Is One of His Most Lethal Genre Offerings Ever – Cannes
Based on Hiroaki Samura’s eponymous manga series, the film follows a masterful samurai named Manji (Kimura) who is cursed with immortality as a result of an epic battle. He’s haunted by the murder of his sister, and resorts to fighting evil in order to regain his soul. He helps a young girl (Hana Sugisaki) avenge her parents’ killing by a group of master swordsmen led by ruthless warrior...
- 5/18/2017
- by Yoselin Acevedo
- Indiewire
"We are here to remove you." Feast your eyes on this! HanWay Films has debuted a new official trailer for Takashi Miike's Blade of the Immortal, which is premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this week. This is technically Miike's 100th film (!!) and it's another samurai, sword fighting epic. Adapted from a manga of the same name, it's about an immortal samurai who has to kill 1000 evil men in order to regain his mortality after being hired to protect a girl. Starring Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki. I actually just saw this film a few hours ago and it's badass, with some truly epic fights involving hundreds of samurais. It's violent, and bloody, and funny at times, with gorgeous sets and costumes. Take a look below. Here's the new official trailer for Takashi Miike's Blade of the Immortal,...
- 5/18/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Even a film festival as Important and Prestigious as Cannes needs a couple movies to serve as a breather between the usually heavy, serious fare that marks the majority of the programming. This year, that duty falls on Takashi Miike‘s “Blade Of The Immortal,” with the prolific Japanese filmmaker serving up a samurai saga.
Takuya Kimura, Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi, Ebizô Ichikawa, Min Tanaka, and Tsutomu Yamazaki star in the movie about an immortal samurai who attempts to reclaim his soul by helping a young woman avenge her parents.
Continue reading Meet An Immortal Warrior In First Trailer For Takashi Miike’s Samurai Cannes Film ‘Blade Of The Immortal’ at The Playlist.
Takuya Kimura, Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi, Ebizô Ichikawa, Min Tanaka, and Tsutomu Yamazaki star in the movie about an immortal samurai who attempts to reclaim his soul by helping a young woman avenge her parents.
Continue reading Meet An Immortal Warrior In First Trailer For Takashi Miike’s Samurai Cannes Film ‘Blade Of The Immortal’ at The Playlist.
- 5/18/2017
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Exclusive: Watch the first full-length English-language trailer for samurai epic.
Screen can reveal the first full-length English-language trailer for Takashi Miike’s samurai epic Blade Of The Immortal, which is playing out of competition in Cannes.
Watch the trailer, whose kick-ass theme song comes from Japanese musician Miyavi, below or on mobile Here.
Magnet releasing recently acquired Us rights to the movie which is sold by HanWay.
The film is based on Hiroaki Samura’s long-running manga of the same name about a warrior enlisted by a young girl to avenge her parents’ slaughter by master swordsmen.
Takuya Kimura stars alongside newcomer Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi, Ebizô Ichikawa, and veterans of the screen Min Tanaka, and Tsutomu Yamazaki.
Tetsuya Oishi wrote the screenplay and producers are Jeremy Thomas, Misako Saka, and Shigeji Maeda, in association with Warner Bros Japan.
Read more:
Takashi Miike talks ‘Blade Of The Immortal’ and Cannes
The latest Cannes news, reviews and features...
Screen can reveal the first full-length English-language trailer for Takashi Miike’s samurai epic Blade Of The Immortal, which is playing out of competition in Cannes.
Watch the trailer, whose kick-ass theme song comes from Japanese musician Miyavi, below or on mobile Here.
Magnet releasing recently acquired Us rights to the movie which is sold by HanWay.
The film is based on Hiroaki Samura’s long-running manga of the same name about a warrior enlisted by a young girl to avenge her parents’ slaughter by master swordsmen.
Takuya Kimura stars alongside newcomer Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi, Ebizô Ichikawa, and veterans of the screen Min Tanaka, and Tsutomu Yamazaki.
Tetsuya Oishi wrote the screenplay and producers are Jeremy Thomas, Misako Saka, and Shigeji Maeda, in association with Warner Bros Japan.
Read more:
Takashi Miike talks ‘Blade Of The Immortal’ and Cannes
The latest Cannes news, reviews and features...
- 5/18/2017
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Samurai epic plays out of competition in Cannes. HanWay handles international sales.
The genre arm of Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to Takashi Miike’s Cannes official selection Blade Of The Immortal.
The film will play out of competition and is based on Hiroaki Samura’s long-running manga of the same name. Magnet plans to release the film later this year.
Blade Of The Immortal follows a warrior enlisted by a young girl to avenge her parents’ slaughter by master swordsmen.
Takuya Kimura stars alongside newcomer Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi, Ebizô Ichikawa, and veterans of the screen Min Tanaka, and Tsutomu Yamazaki.
Tetsuya Oishi wrote the screenplay and producers are Jeremy Thomas, Misako Saka, and Shigeji Maeda, in association with Warner Bros Japan.
Magnolia / Magnet also have rights to two more films in Cannes: Arnaud Desplechin’s festival opener Ismael’s Ghosts, and Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or contender The Square.
“We’ve been...
The genre arm of Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to Takashi Miike’s Cannes official selection Blade Of The Immortal.
The film will play out of competition and is based on Hiroaki Samura’s long-running manga of the same name. Magnet plans to release the film later this year.
Blade Of The Immortal follows a warrior enlisted by a young girl to avenge her parents’ slaughter by master swordsmen.
Takuya Kimura stars alongside newcomer Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi, Ebizô Ichikawa, and veterans of the screen Min Tanaka, and Tsutomu Yamazaki.
Tetsuya Oishi wrote the screenplay and producers are Jeremy Thomas, Misako Saka, and Shigeji Maeda, in association with Warner Bros Japan.
Magnolia / Magnet also have rights to two more films in Cannes: Arnaud Desplechin’s festival opener Ismael’s Ghosts, and Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or contender The Square.
“We’ve been...
- 5/12/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Keep up with the wild and wooly world of indie film acquisitions with our weekly Rundown of everything that’s been picked up around the globe. Check out last week’s Rundown here.
– IFC Films has acquired the U.S rights to director Jamie M. Dagg’s thriller “Sweet Virginia,” starring Jon Bernthal, Christopher Abbott, Imogen Poots, Rosemarie DeWitt and Odessa Young. The film, which premiered at the recent Tribeca Film Festival, was written by Ben and Paul China from their Black List script, and was produced by Brian Kavanaugh-Jones for Automatik, Chris Ferguson for Oddfellows and Fernando Loureiro and Roberto Vasconcellos for Exhibit, who also financed.
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: Focus Features Picks Up ‘Tully,’ Electric Entertainment Buys ‘Lbj’ and More
Xyz Films is currently handling international sales and will screen the film at the upcoming Marché du Film at Cannes. “Sweet Virginia” is a riveting thriller that...
– IFC Films has acquired the U.S rights to director Jamie M. Dagg’s thriller “Sweet Virginia,” starring Jon Bernthal, Christopher Abbott, Imogen Poots, Rosemarie DeWitt and Odessa Young. The film, which premiered at the recent Tribeca Film Festival, was written by Ben and Paul China from their Black List script, and was produced by Brian Kavanaugh-Jones for Automatik, Chris Ferguson for Oddfellows and Fernando Loureiro and Roberto Vasconcellos for Exhibit, who also financed.
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: Focus Features Picks Up ‘Tully,’ Electric Entertainment Buys ‘Lbj’ and More
Xyz Films is currently handling international sales and will screen the film at the upcoming Marché du Film at Cannes. “Sweet Virginia” is a riveting thriller that...
- 5/12/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Stars: Tsutomu Yamazaki, Nobuko Miyamoto, Ken Watanabe, Rikiya Yasuoka | Written and Directed by Juzo Itami
The life and death of actor and director Juzo Itami is an incredible story in itself (he was allegedly killed by the Yakuza following his gangster movie Minbo), but he was no slouch in putting bizarre stories on the silver screen, either. His sophomore directorial effort, Tampopo (literally, “Dandelion”), was made in 1985 and is probably his best-known film.
A pair of truckers – youngster Gun (Ken Watanabe) and elder Goro (Tsutomu Yamazaki) – chat about ramen (a noodle-based Japanese dish), so decide to stop at a roadside restaurant to satisfy themselves. The place belongs to a widow named Tampopo (Nobuko Miyamoto, Itami’s wife). Desperate to improve her business, she implores the straight-talking Goro to help her turn it into the best restaurant in town.
While Goro and Tampopo go about researching the best recipes and employing...
The life and death of actor and director Juzo Itami is an incredible story in itself (he was allegedly killed by the Yakuza following his gangster movie Minbo), but he was no slouch in putting bizarre stories on the silver screen, either. His sophomore directorial effort, Tampopo (literally, “Dandelion”), was made in 1985 and is probably his best-known film.
A pair of truckers – youngster Gun (Ken Watanabe) and elder Goro (Tsutomu Yamazaki) – chat about ramen (a noodle-based Japanese dish), so decide to stop at a roadside restaurant to satisfy themselves. The place belongs to a widow named Tampopo (Nobuko Miyamoto, Itami’s wife). Desperate to improve her business, she implores the straight-talking Goro to help her turn it into the best restaurant in town.
While Goro and Tampopo go about researching the best recipes and employing...
- 5/1/2017
- by Rupert Harvey
- Nerdly
For over two decades, director Takashi Miike has garnered equal parts acclaim and controversy for his films due to their violent, often disturbing content. In recent years, Miike has become especially prolific, often directing one or two films per year. Next year, he will release his new action film “Blade of the Immortal,” about a warrior cursed with immortality who cannot free himself unless he kills 1,000 evil men. Based on the manga by the same name, the film stars Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki. Watch a very brief teaser trailer below.
Read More: Cannes Review: Takashi Miike Buys License For Next Five Duds With Transcendently Batsh*t ‘Yakuza Apocalypse’
Miike first garnered international fame with his 1999 romantic horror film “Audition,” about a widower who auditions women to become his next wife only for one to turn the tables on him.
Read More: Cannes Review: Takashi Miike Buys License For Next Five Duds With Transcendently Batsh*t ‘Yakuza Apocalypse’
Miike first garnered international fame with his 1999 romantic horror film “Audition,” about a widower who auditions women to become his next wife only for one to turn the tables on him.
- 11/15/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
More Miike! A very, very brief teaser trailer has debuted for the latest Takashi Miike film, an adaptation of a manga about an immortal samurai. Blade of the Immortal, originally Mugen no jûnin in Japanese, is about a samurai who has to kill 1000 evil men in order to regain his mortality. Starring Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki. Based on the concept (and final shot in this) alone, it reminds me of 13 Assassins, which is one of Miike's best action movies. I wish there was more to see, but I'm sure we'll get more trailers before April. No Us release is set yet, but hopefully it'll be out in 2017 in the Us, too. Here's the first brief teaser trailer (+ poster) for Takashi Miike's Blade of the Immortal, from YouTube: Blade of the Immortal is about "an...
- 11/14/2016
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Over the last handful of years, repertory cinema has found a new life. With an increasing number of distributors not only restoring classic, foreign and ostensibly forgotten masterpieces, but also giving them great runs in theaters across the country, even smaller markets outside of New York and La are getting a chance to see what’s truly going on in the world of film restoration. But there are still few names as influential and important as that of Janus Films. A label synonymous with the very best in truly important cinema, Janus Films has seen new runs of films as iconic as The Dekalog, to as niche as John Waters’ Multiple Maniacs this year. And they aren’t done just yet.
October 21 sees the New York premiere of a new, gorgeous, 4K restoration of Juzo Itami’s masterpiece Tampopo. Long rumored to become part of the DVD and Blu-ray catolog of Janus’ home video arm,...
October 21 sees the New York premiere of a new, gorgeous, 4K restoration of Juzo Itami’s masterpiece Tampopo. Long rumored to become part of the DVD and Blu-ray catolog of Janus’ home video arm,...
- 10/21/2016
- by Joshua Brunsting
- CriterionCast
The saying goes that some people eat to live, and some people live to eat. Juzo Itami’s “Tampopo” is the rare serving of food porn that brings both groups to the table. First released in 1985 (and now returning to theaters with a delectable new 4K restoration), this timeless Japanese classic begins with a petulant gangster bringing a full picnic into a movie theater, and ends with a hungry infant instinctively suckling on his mother’s breast. In between, Itami’s fiercely beloved film unfolds like a prix fixe tasting menu of strange comic delights, the director’s fabulist sensibilities feeding into an episodic foodie fantasia about all of the things that give life its flavor and make it worth savoring.
The only movie ever made that could accurately be described as a cross between “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly,” “Babette’s Feast,” and “Songs From the Second Floor,...
The only movie ever made that could accurately be described as a cross between “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly,” “Babette’s Feast,” and “Songs From the Second Floor,...
- 10/20/2016
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Get a new experience with FilmBox ArtHouse, available on FilmOn! FilmBox Arthouse is one of FilmOn’s pay-only channels, but you do get your money’s worth with the amount of special release and foreign titles the channel provides its viewers. FilmBox ArtHouse, as its description states, “is dedicated to recognized Arthouse movies from all around the world including European, Asian, Silent, documentary, and American Independent titles.” One of the titles you can watch is the Japanese film, “Tampopo.” The film stars Ken Watanabe and Tsutomu Yamazaki as two milk truck drivers who help a restaurant owner, played by Nobuko Miyamoto. Their mission: To help the restaurant owner cook awesome noodles. You [ Read More ]
The post Watch FilmBox ArtHouse on FilmOn appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Watch FilmBox ArtHouse on FilmOn appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 8/21/2014
- by monique
- ShockYa
Before all you Takashi Miiki fans get too excited, this isn’t alas a release in a (specifically) English speaking territory, but for all those versed in the fine art of multi region DVD players, this will be of interest. His hard core thriller, Shield of Straw is up for a theatrical bow in Hong Kong, next month. So its English subbed trailer and DVD releases (approx a month after) a go-go! Synopsis: Based on Kazuhiro Kiuchi's novel. A powerful multi-billionnaire Ninagawa (Tsutomu Yamazaki) puts an irresistible price on the head of the man he believes to be the killer of his 7-years-old granddaughter, by placing advertisments on all newspapers in Japan. Realising he has become a target of all citizens, Kiyomaru (Tatsuya Fujiwara) turns himself into the Fukuoka Police Station. Five police officers including Mekari (Takao Osawa ) and Shiraiwa (Nanako Matsushima) are dispatched to bring Kiyomaru back to...
- 8/4/2013
- 24framespersecond.net
The most enthusiastic audiences in the world are in Montreal -- specifically at Fantasia Fest, the horror-fantasy-genre extravaganza that opened last night with a double bill of Warner Bros.: “The Conjuring,” to which Fantasia fans were provided a sneak peak before its theatrical opening today; and -- more intriguingly-- Japanese madman Takashi Miike’s less-than-lunatic “Shield of Straw,” a production of Warner Brothers Japan that got a less than lukewarm reception at Cannes this year, but found its way into the hearts of the Fantasian genre nuts filling the grand Imperial theater off the Rue Ste. Catherine. As cop films go, it’s an odd animal. Miike, operating in a far more civilized groove than usual, is nonetheless telling an uncivil story: When a serial child-killer murders his granddaughter, a Japanese multi-billionaire industrialist (Tsutomu Yamazaki, whose career began in 1960) offers a billion yen to whoever kills the killer. One.
- 7/20/2013
- by John Anderson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Burnt Offerings: Miike’s Latest Can’t Quite Reach Satisfying Blaze
That audacious auteur of excess, Takashi Miike, unveils his latest offering, Shield of Straw to be a surprisingly straight laced police narrative that’s notably unfettered by psychosexual shock value or absurdly grotesque violence. Sporting a generously enjoyable first half hour or so, Miike’s excessiveness instead configures itself in pace deadening repetition, where the film’s central theme is explored, regurgitated and discussed over and over again in every monologue, diatribe, shootout and/or explosion. Which is a pity considering the interest Miike manages to instill in the wan but promising B grade dramatic conflict from a concept we’ve seen before in several variations.
Quickly we learn that the ragged corpse of a young girl seen in the opening sequence belongs to the granddaughter of a vengeful billionaire Ninagawa (Tsutomu Yamazaki), who has used his vast...
That audacious auteur of excess, Takashi Miike, unveils his latest offering, Shield of Straw to be a surprisingly straight laced police narrative that’s notably unfettered by psychosexual shock value or absurdly grotesque violence. Sporting a generously enjoyable first half hour or so, Miike’s excessiveness instead configures itself in pace deadening repetition, where the film’s central theme is explored, regurgitated and discussed over and over again in every monologue, diatribe, shootout and/or explosion. Which is a pity considering the interest Miike manages to instill in the wan but promising B grade dramatic conflict from a concept we’ve seen before in several variations.
Quickly we learn that the ragged corpse of a young girl seen in the opening sequence belongs to the granddaughter of a vengeful billionaire Ninagawa (Tsutomu Yamazaki), who has used his vast...
- 5/21/2013
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Takashi Miike is a director fast becoming a regular fixture at the Cannes Film Festival, despite his notorious work-rate of often several films a year and the frequently inconsistent level of quality that this doubtless invites. Miike stands as one of very few directors who would be able to land a populist – at least for the standards of the festival – action thriller In Competition. As such, Shield of Straw is a refreshing palate-cleanser amid the more stereotypical festival fare, and on its own standing, coheres as a sharp thriller even as it weathers its fair share of flaws. Following his murder of a 7-year-old girl, serial killer Kunihide Kyomaru (Tatsuya Fujiwara) has a billion-Yen bounty placed upon his head by the child’s grandfather, Ninagawa (Tsutomu Yamazaki), with the peculiar condition that the murder be state-authorised (a rather oblique term never properly explained). As the tension rises, Kyomaru hands himself in to the police, yet...
- 5/21/2013
- by Shaun Munro
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
This bounty-hunting thriller from prolific Japanese director Takashi Miike is hamstrung by its baffling lack of plot logic
I've experienced some plot-holes in my time, but this is something else: this is a plot-hole with a circumference to match one of Saturn's rings. Takashi Miike – the legendary, prolific Japanese director of extreme movies, including the satirical classic Audition from 2000 – has dreamed up a bizarrely unbelievable cop suspense thriller. It is put together with technical competence, but is entirely cliched and preposterous, and it implodes into its own fundamental narrative implausibility.
In a small Japanese town, a 7-year-old girl is found dead after being raped; DNA evidence fingers a suspect for a previous, similar crime still at large: Kiyomaru (Tatsuya Fujiwara). His name and photo are released to the media and a manhunt begins. But then this little girl's wealthy grandfather Ninagawa (Tsutomo Yamazaki) offers a billion-yen reward for killing the man.
I've experienced some plot-holes in my time, but this is something else: this is a plot-hole with a circumference to match one of Saturn's rings. Takashi Miike – the legendary, prolific Japanese director of extreme movies, including the satirical classic Audition from 2000 – has dreamed up a bizarrely unbelievable cop suspense thriller. It is put together with technical competence, but is entirely cliched and preposterous, and it implodes into its own fundamental narrative implausibility.
In a small Japanese town, a 7-year-old girl is found dead after being raped; DNA evidence fingers a suspect for a previous, similar crime still at large: Kiyomaru (Tatsuya Fujiwara). His name and photo are released to the media and a manhunt begins. But then this little girl's wealthy grandfather Ninagawa (Tsutomo Yamazaki) offers a billion-yen reward for killing the man.
- 5/20/2013
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
The Woodsman And The Rain
Stars: Kôji Yakusho, Shun Oguri, Masatô Ibu, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Kengo Kôra, Asami Usuda | Written by Shûichi Okita, Fumio Moriya | Directed by Shûichi Okita
It’s not often that a feel good movie is set in a village that appears to be overrun by zombies, or that the film itself features a film being made about said zombies but then again I’m sure there are not many films like The Woodsman and the Rain. I may have exaggerated about the zombies, but they are integral to the storyline and important to the tale of a Woodsman and a shy film director.
Katsuhiko is the Woodsman, spending his day cutting down trees in a small village in the Japanese mountains. He’s happy with his life and appears to like the serenity that the job provides. When a film crew invade the mountains though to film...
Stars: Kôji Yakusho, Shun Oguri, Masatô Ibu, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Kengo Kôra, Asami Usuda | Written by Shûichi Okita, Fumio Moriya | Directed by Shûichi Okita
It’s not often that a feel good movie is set in a village that appears to be overrun by zombies, or that the film itself features a film being made about said zombies but then again I’m sure there are not many films like The Woodsman and the Rain. I may have exaggerated about the zombies, but they are integral to the storyline and important to the tale of a Woodsman and a shy film director.
Katsuhiko is the Woodsman, spending his day cutting down trees in a small village in the Japanese mountains. He’s happy with his life and appears to like the serenity that the job provides. When a film crew invade the mountains though to film...
- 1/31/2013
- by Pzomb
- Nerdly
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