SciFi Japan

    Japanese action star Tak Sakaguchi will be a guest at A-Kon 23 in Dallas. Photo courtesy of MAT.

    Asian Cinema

    Star of VERSUS and YAKUZA WEAPON at Anime Convention in Dallas, June 1-3 Source: Monster Attack Team Official Site: a-kon.com Special Thanks to Edward Holland The Texas-based Japanese live-action magazine Monster Attack Team is hosting Super Action Star Tak Sakaguchi during an onslaught of Q&As, demo sessions and exclusive autograph signings at A-Kon 23, June 1-3, 2012 in downtown Dallas, home of the longest running Anime Convention in North America. This summer, meet live in person one of the most explosive cult heroes of the Japanese film industry today. For over a decade, Tak Sakaguchi has been one of the most recognizable superstars within the realms of Japanese action, science fiction, fantasy and horror visual media. He is a multi-talented martial artist, actor, fight choreographer, scriptwriter, and director and before motion pictures and television studios came calling, he made his living as a street fighter. On

    Warner Bros. is planning a live action feature film version of the popular BLEACH franchise. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © Tite Kubo/ Shueisha, TV Tokyo, dentsu, Pierrot

    Asian Cinema

    VIZ Media’s Mega-Hit Franchise Continues To Expand Across All Entertainment Channels Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: j-bleach.com (Japan), Bleach.viz.com (US) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in the North America, announced today that Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired the live-action feature film rights to the hit manga and anime property BLEACH (????, Buriichi). The announcement comes after another successful year for BLEACH in print, digital publishing, cable television, streaming video, consumer products and video-on-demand. “BLEACH has built a huge international following in its manga and anime formats, and we’re excited that Warner Bros. shares our belief that BLEACH can also become a fantastic live-action film,” said Jason Hoffs of VIZ Productions, VIZ Media’s Hollywood-based production company. “BLEACH is an exciting opportunity to mix Japanese and Hollywood storytelling to create something

    On March 11th, Third Window films and the Institute of Contemporary Arts present a special preview screening of MITSUKO DELIVERS in London, with all profits going to disaster relief efforts in Fukushima. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2011 Hara Ga Kore Nande Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Event at ICA on March 11th, 2012 Source: Third Window Films press release Official Movie Site: harakore.com (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/mitsuko-delivers (UK) Special Thanks to Claire Marty On March 11th, Third Window films and the ICA present a special Charity Preview of MITSUKO DELIVERS (????????, Hara Ga Kore Nande, 2011) in London. 100% of Third Window Films` profits from the screening will go to a Fukushima-based charity. Third Window Films will also be selling DVDs at the event, with 100% of their sales also going to charity. Alongside the Fukushima charity, Third Window Films are also giving away 100% of ticket sales of all Japanese films playing in their `East Winds Film Festival` to the Japan Society Earthquake Relief Fund. Charity film screening of MITSUKO DELIVERS March 11th, 2012 at 7pm Institute of Contemporary Arts The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH £10 ENTRY Tickets

    Beat Takeshi and Kippei Shiina in OUTRAGE, coming to theaters in America this December. Photo courtesy of Magnet Releasing. © 2010 Bandai Visual, TV Tokyo, Omnibus Japan and Office Kitano

    Asian Cinema

    Now On Demand; Theatrical Run Starts December 2nd Source: Magnolia Pictures Official Site: office-kitano.co.jp/outrage (Japan), magnetreleasing.com/outrage (US) The Japanese crime thriller OUTRAGE (??????, Autoreiji, 2010) is being distributed in the United States by Magnet Releasing, a division of Magnolia Pictures (THE HOST, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, MONSTERS, TROLLHUNTER). The film is written, stars, and directed by internationally renowned "Beat" Takeshi Kitano (KIKUJIRO, BROTHER, BATTLE ROYALE, ZATOICHI). OUTRAGE is now available on Video On Demand and starts a limited theatrical run on December 2nd. Check the Magnolia Pictures website for theater locations and dates. The following press notes and images are courtesy of Magnet Releasing/ Magnolia Pictures... Bandai Visual, TV Tokyo, Omnibus Japan, Office Kitano and Magnet Releasing Present a Magnet Release: OUTRAGE Written, Edited & Directed by Takeshi Kitano Official Selection: 2010 Cannes Film Festival 109 min., 2.35, 35mm

    SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO is just one of thirty movies making their Australian premiere at the 15th Japanese Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Japan Foundation. © 2010 Space Battleship Yamato Production Committee.

    Asian Cinema

    Lineup includes SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO, A GHOST OF A CHANCE, ARRIETTY, OBA: THE LAST SAMURAI and GANTZ 1 & 2 Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press releases Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net Special Thanks to Evon Fung and Amanda Thompson Not long now until the 15th Japanese Film Festival hits Sydney and Melbourne with their biggest line-up to date. Featuring 30 films – all Australian premieres – festival organizers are thrilled to reveal the full program for 2011: OPENING FILM Koki Mitani’s A GHOST OF A CHANCE (???????, Suteki na Kanashibari, 2011) the festival with a hilarious courtroom drama where the only witness is a 421 year-old ghost. A mini retrospective of Mitani’s work, who is often referred to as Japan’s ‘King of Comedy’, will be featured in the festival with A GHOST OF A CHANCE as one of the screenings, along with SUITE DREAMS (??????

    SKETCH OF MUJO, the first documentary to be made in the wake of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, is one of six new Japanese films screening during the

    Asian Cinema

    Six New Japanese Films Screening November 25-27 Source: Barbican Centre, Sarah Harvey Publicity press release Special Thanks to Liz Parkinson Premiere Japan 2011 Barbican Film, Barbican Centre, London UK 25 – 27 November 2011 Now in its seventh year in London, Premiere Japan comes to the Barbican for the first time from 25 to 27 November, screening six of the best and most recent features and documentaries from Japan. Highlights include Locarno Film Festival winner, TOKYO PARK featuring rising star Haruma Miura; the latest delight from Yazaki Hitoshi, SWEET LITTLE LIES adapted from Ekuni Kaori’s best selling novel, and SKETCH OF MUJO the first documentary to be made in the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami earlier this year. Each screening is preceded by a short film chosen from submissions made by students, both Japanese and non-Japanese, at the University of the Arts London. Premiere Japan

    Qiu Jin (Yi Huang) inspires revolution in the biopic THE WOMAN KNIGHT OF MIRROR LAKE. The movie opens this Friday in Los Angeles. © 2011 National Arts Productions Limited.

    Asian Cinema

    US Theatrical Release Begins October 28th Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Movie Site: funimation.com/the-woman-knight-of-mirror-lake (US) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee FUNimation Entertainment today announced it has acquired the home video, digital, mobile, television, and theatrical distribution rights for the live action film, THE WOMAN KNIGHT OF MIRROR LAKE (????•??, Jingxiong Nüxia - Qiu Jin, 2011). This semi-biographical film from director Herman Yau (THE LEGEND IS BORN – IP MAN) stars Yi Huang as the female revolutionist, Qiu Jin. Nicknamed the “Woman Knight of Mirror Lake,” Qiu Jin advocated equality between men and women during the late Qing Dynasty, believing a better future for women came under a Western-style government instead of the corrupt Manchu government. Herman Yau’s stunning film brings this legendary heroine’s skills to the screen as she blazes a path through the world of literature and the

    Eight classic movies starring Sonny Chiba will be available for online streaming this month on the GooHead Internet Channel. © 1974-75 Toei Co., Ltd.

    Asian Cinema

    Eight Classic Titles Added in October Source: Golden Media Group Official Site: GooHead Internet Channel Special Thanks to Roy McAree For the past several months, the GooHead Internet Channel has been streaming— free of charge— classic Asian feature films and television series for viewers in the United States and Canada. In addition to the Gamera films and TV programs such as SUPER ROBOT RED BARON (???????? ??????, Suupaa Robotto Reddo Baron, 1973-1974) and IRON KING (???????, Aian Kinguu, 1972-1973), GooHead has been offering a number of movies starring martial arts legend Sonny Chiba (THE STREETFIGHTER, KILL BILL VOL. 1). The current selection includes nearly a dozen Sonny Chiba movies plus all 27 episodes of Chiba`s television series SHADOW WARRIORS (????, Kage no Gundan, 1980). In October, GooHead will add eight more Sonny Chiba titles to their lineup. Look for the following titles to be streamed in Japanese

    This September and October, the Korean Cultural Service New York is hosting free screenings of (left to right) BLEAK NIGHT, END OF ANIMAL and MOSS, three new highly-regarded Korean films. Photos courtesy of the Korean Cultural Service

    Asian Cinema

    Free NYC Screenings of Acclaimed New Korean Films Source: Subway Cinema press release Official Site: koreanculture.org Korean Movie Night: Hidden Gems of Korean Cinema from September 6, 2011 ­ October 31, 2011 courtesy of the Korean Cultural Service Every other Tuesday @ 7pm Tribeca Cinemas 54 Varick Street (on the corner of Canal Street, one block from the A, C, E and 1 train Canal Street stops) New York, NY 10013 Free Admission. All seating is first-come, first served. Doors open at 6:30pm. For some reason, a lot of really amazing movies never make it out of Korea. Critics go nuts for them, but for one reason or another they never get any love from overseas distributors. The Korean Cultural Service aims to correct that with this series of three amazing movies from 2010 and 2011 that deserve bigger audiences. Tuesday, September 6 @ 7pm BLEAK NIGHT(???,

    William Winckler brings classic anime to English speaking audiences. Photo courtesy of William Winckler.

    Asian Cinema

    THE TOEI CLASSIC ANIME MOVIE COLLECTION! An Interview with William Winckler Author: Bob Johnson Special thanks to Winckler-Oya Inc. and Toei Animation Co., Ltd. A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE! William Winckler has had a long career of acting, directing, writing and producing. From bit roles in television series and motion pictures to dubbing TEKKAMAN to making films of his own like THE DOUBLE-D AVENGER, Winckler has done just about every job you can imagine in Hollywood. Now he is returning to Japanese animation in a big way! For the last two years, he has been hard at work, putting together THE TOEI CLASSIC ANIME MOVIE COLLECTION! These are some of the most famous Japanese cartoons ever, with all-new English dubbing from Winckler-Oya Inc. The first wave is made up of 23 full-length feature films running 90 to 120 minutes each on all new HD masters! This

    Quad poster for the upcoming UK theatrical release of award winning comedy SAWAKO DECIDES. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2010 PFF Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Third Window Films, The Associates press release Official Movie Site: kawasoko.com (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/sawako-decides (UK) Special Thanks to Adam Torel Yuya Ishii`s award winning comedy SAWAKO DECIDES (??????????, Kawa no Soko Kara Konnichi Wa, 2010), comes out in cinemas this July at the ICA in London and various other regional UK sites. SAWAKO DECIDES was the 19th Pia Film Festival scholarship winner and was picked as official selection for both the Berlin Film Festival and London Film Festival (among many others). It made its North American premiere at the 2010 New York Asian Film Festival/Japan Cuts, and won awards for `Best Film` and `Best Actress` at the Fantasia International Film Festival. The film stars the critically acclaimed actress Hikari Mitsushima, who started her career as a child star in REBIRTH OF MOTHRA II (???2 ??????, Mosura Tsuu Kaitei no Daikessen, 1997) before moving

    Hapless Kaiji Ito (Tatsuya Fujiwara, center) is caught in a deadly game between rivals Yukio Tonegawa (Teruyuki Kagawa) and Rinko Endo (Yuuki Amami). Photo courtesy of NTV. © Nobuyuki Fukumoto, Kodansha /2009

    Asian Cinema

    DEATH NOTE`s Tatsuya Fujiwara is the Ultimate Gambler in Big Screen Manga Adaptation Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network) Additional Images: 4Digital Media Official Movie Site: kaiji-movie.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Asuka Kimura, Tzeling Huang, Steve Beecham and Steve Kirkham KAIJI (Kaiji Jinsei Gyakuten Geemu) is a 2009 live action film based on the best selling manga series. It was produced by a partnership of companies that include the Nippon Television Network (NTV), Toho, Kaiji manga publisher Kodansha, Horipro, YTV, Vap, DN Dreampartners, and Hint Inc. KAIJI was released theatrically in Japan by Toho on October 10, 2009. The film was a box office success, earning ¥2.1 billion yen (approximately $23 million US) during its theatrical run. A sequel has been announced for release in Japan in 2011. NTV is handling world sales of KAIJI and has promoted the movie at international trade shows such as the American

    Director Takashi Miike remakes the classic 1963 samurai period action-drama THE THIRTEEN ASSASSINS. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 13 Assassins Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Takashi Miike`s Violent Samurai Tale Opens in Cinemas May 6th Source: The Associates press release Official Site: 13assassins.jp (Japan), 13assassins.com (US) Takashi Miike, the director responsible for such uncompromising and unforgettable movies as AUDITION and ICHI THE KILLER indelibly stamps his trademark style on the Samurai genre with the ultra-violent, all-action, blood-spattered epic 13 ASSASSINS (??????, Jusan-nin no Shikaku, 2010). One of the most prolific, wildly unpredictable and controversial directors in cinema, here Miike reinvents himself once more “in top, slash-tastic form” (Variety), throwing in several obvious nods to the works of Akira Kurosawa and enough grotesquery to satisfy his loyal legions of fans, with a movie that has been described as a “handsomely mounted samurai adventure” (Cinematical) that is “too damn magnificent to ignore” (Twitch). Executive produced by Toshiaki Nakazawa (producer of DEPARTURES, the winner of the 2009 Oscar for Best Foreign

    Cult film director Takashi Miike`s 13 ASSASSINS comes to America this month from Magnet Releasing. Photo courtesy of Magnet Releasing. © 13 Assassins Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Magnolia Pictures Official Site: 13assassins.jp (Japan), 13assassins.com (US) Beginning this month, 13 ASSASSINS (??????, Jusan-nin no Shikaku, 2010) will be distributed in the United States by Magnet Releasing, a division of Magnolia Pictures (THE HOST, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, MONSTERS). Cult director Takeshi Miike (ICHI THE KILLER, AUDITION) delivers a bravado period action film set at the end of Japan`s feudal era in which a group of unemployed samurai are enlisted to bring down a sadistic lord and prevent him from ascending to the throne and plunging the country into a wartorn future. 13 ASSASSINS is now available on Video On Demand and starts a limited theatrical run on April 29th. Check the Magnolia Pictures website for theater locations and dates. The following press notes and images are courtesy of Magnet Releasing/Magnolia Pictures... Sedic International and Magnet Releasing in Association with

    New York mob boss Don Carini (Harvey Keitel) choses his dimwitted son Young-gu (Shim Hyung-rae) to take over the family in the comedy THE LAST GODFATHER. Photo courtesy of Roadside Attractions. © 2010 Younggu Art

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Roadside Attractions LLC Official Movie Site: THE LAST GODFATHER (Korea), lastgodfathermovie.com (US) The famous South Korean comedian and film director Shim Hyung-rae (DRAGON WARS) returns with his latest Hollywood film, this time a comedy. Shim`s THE LAST GODFATHER (??? ???, 2010), co-starring Harvey Keitel (TAXI DRIVER, RESERVOIR DOGS), Jason Mewes (CLERKS, JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK) and Blake Clark (THE WATERBOY). The film is now playing in cinemas across the United States... check lastgodfathertheaters.blogspot.com for theater listings. Synopsis: In 1951, Don Carini (Harvey Keitel), the mafia`s most powerful godfather, gathers his followers to announce the heir to the family. Each expects to be crowned the next Don, but they hear a shocking story from Don Carini. During his travels in Asia, he fell in love with an Korean woman who bore him a son. His now adult lovechild Young-gu (Shim Hyung-rae),

    Benefit screenings of the Japanese Academy Award-winning HULA GIRLS will take place on Saturday, March 26th at VIZ Cinema in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of NEW PEOPLE. © Cine Qua Non 2006, in association with HAPPINET and S.D.P

    Asian Cinema

    Award Winning Film Set in Fukushima Prefecture is a Testament to the Enduring Human Spirit Source: MediaLab press release Official Site: NewPeopleWorld.com Special Thanks to Erik Jansen NEW PEOPLE, the nation’s only entertainment complex dedicated to Japanese popular culture, will present a special screening of director Lee Sang-il’s celebrated film, HULA GIRLS, to raise funds for Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief. HULA GIRLS will screen on Saturday, March 26th at 2:00pm, 4:30pm and 7:00pm at VIZ Cinema. Suggested donations are $10.00 or more per person. NEW PEOPLE is located in the heart of San Francisco’s Japantown at 1746 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115. 100% of proceeds from the screenings will be donated to the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, administered by JCCCNC and Union Bank in San Francisco’s Japantown. More information on the screenings and the work of this relief organization is

    Quad poster for the UK release of COLD FISH, the acclaimed new film from the director of LOVE EXPOSURE. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon/ Nikkatsu

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Third Window Films, The Associates press release Official Movie Site: coldfish.jp (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/cold-fish (UK) Special Thanks to Adam Torel The latest feature from cult Japanese writer-director Sion Sono (LOVE EXPOSURE), COLD FISH (??????, Tsumetai Nettaigyo, 2010) is the third release from Nikkatsu`s new genre film label, Sushi Typhoon. Inspired by and loosely based on the real-life exploits of serial killer couple Gen Sekine and his ex-wife Hiroko Kazama (the perpetrators of Tokyo’s notorious 1993 “Saitama serial murders of dog lovers” killings), the film is a psychotic cavalcade of sex, violence and comedy that has been hailed by Variety for its “gleeful humour and dare-you-to-watch aesthetic”. Now COLD FISH is coming to theatres in the United Kingdom, giving filmgoers a chance to witness “yet another step in Sion Sono`s rise as one of Japan`s most consistently bold and intriguing film makers… [that] stands

    Sho Aikawa in director Takashi Miike`s DEAD OR ALIVE. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © 1999 Kadokawa Shoten Co., Ltd.

    Asian Cinema

    Japanese Gangster Film Series Spans 50 Years, with 15 films and a Guest Appearance by an American Movie Legend Source: Japan Society Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett and Joshua Pagillo Hardest Men in Town: Yakuza Chronicles of Sin, Sex & Violence March 9-19, 2011, at Japan Society New York, NY: Years before Coppola’s GODFATHER enthralled a nation and decades before SOPRANOS and BOARDWALK EMPIRE fed viewers’ insatiable appetites for serial gangster melodrama, the yakuza (Japanese mafia) were mainstays of the Japanese film industry. From March 9-19, Japan Society presents the Globus Film Series "Hardest Men in Town: Yakuza Chronicles of Sin, Sex & Violence", featuring 15 seminal films encompassing 50 years of snarling, swaggering, tattooed and inexplicably sexy cinema icons from Japan. In addition to celebrated classics by Hideo Gosha (THE WOLVES), Kinji Fukasaku (COPS VS. THUGS, BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR AND HUMANITY), the

    Serial killer Kyung-chul (OLDBOY star Choi Min-sik) chooses the wrong victim (Oh San-ha) in the Korean thriller I SAW THE DEVIL, opening this week in American theaters. Photo courtesy of Magnet Releasing.

    Asian Cinema

    Director Kim Jee-woon Delivers Extreme Revenge Flick with Vengeance Author: Richard Pusateri Source: Magnet Releasing Official Movie Site: isawthedevilmovie.com (US), isawthedevil.co.kr (Korea) Special Thanks to Marina Bailey Film Publicity SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new movie. I SAW THE DEVIL (??? ??? , Akmareul Boattda, 2010) has a lot of great buzz and early reviews going for it. The well-acted riveting story has fine photography and great pacing. The momentum carries interest over some implausible situations and other plot holes. But still, I found myself uncomfortable enjoying this slick slasher/serial killer/revenge movie. The action relentlessly escalates as more characters become involved being drawn in (or pulled down) by the obsession of the wronged hero government secret agent Soo-hyun (Lee Byung-hun ). I SAW THE DEVIL has plenty of effective suspense and well-staged action scenes. The lush cinematography by Lee

    Teacher Yuko Moriguchi suspects that one (or more) of her students murdered her child... and sets out to prove it by any means necessary in CONFESSIONS. Japan`s entry for the 2011 Academy Awards will get a limited theatrical run in the United Kingdom from Third Window Films. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2010 Confessions Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Psychological Thriller from the Director of KAMIKAZE GIRLS and MEMORIES OF MATSUKO Opens February 18th Source: Third Window Films, The Associates press release Official Movie Site: kokuhaku-shimasu.jp (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/confessions (UK) Special Thanks to Adam Torel Following the critical acclaim of his previous features, KAMIKAZE GIRLS (Shimotsuma Monogatari, 2004) and MEMORIES OF MATSUKO (Kiraware Matsuko no Issho, 2006), genre-busting auteur Tetsuya Nakashima returns with CONFESSIONS (??, Kokuhaku, 2010), a notably darker but equally absorbing and typically idiosyncratic work, this time adapted from the award winning debut novel by Kanae Minato. Written and directed by Nakashima, CONFESSIONS has been selected as Japan’s official entry in the Best Foreign Film category of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards (the final list of nominees will announced on 25th January 2011) and received great acclaim following its UK premier screening at the Film4 Frightfest All-Nighter in October, 2010 at

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