SciFi Japan

    Logo for PLANZET, the new computer animated science fiction film from Jun Awazu, director of NEGADON: MONSTER FROM MARS. Photo courtesy of CoMix Wave Films. © 2010 Jun Awazu/Media Factory/CoMix Wave Films

    Asian Cinema

    New Computer Animated Feature from the Makers of NEGADON Author: Keith Aiken Source: Kazuki Sunami, CoMix Wave Films Inc. Official Movie Site: planzet.jp Special Thanks to Elliot Gay A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The year is 2053 AD. The Earth has lost a huge portion of its population to a mysterious lifeform that has appeared from space. With all of mankind’s attempts to counterattack ending in failure, the Fuji Base Japanese Area Forces puts their final plan to strike the enemy location into action; Operation Planzet. Hiroshi Akishima, pilot of the robot weapon, has been ordered to protect the people at Fuji Base without fail. Before the battle Hiroshi’s little sister Koyomi, his only surviving family, takes refuge on the safe planet of Mars. Thus begins Planzet, the battle for mankind’s fate. Hiroshi and his comrades face insurmountable odds. How will humanity be able to fight

    Police study the victim and scene of the murder; an especially rare crime in their town. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. © 2009 CJ Entertainment and Barunson

    Asian Cinema

    Suspense thriller arrives in U.S. theaters March 12 Author: Richard Pusateri Source: Magnolia Pictures Official Movie Site: motherfilm.com (US), mother2009.co.kr (Korea) Special Thanks to Marina Bailey Director Bong Joon-ho (THE HOST) brings the Hitchcock flavor to MOTHER. First, well, it`s called "MOTHER" and takes maternal issues and other family matters to a length not seen in Alfred Hitchcock`s movies. It also has a "wrong man" theme, more than one McGuffin, a little voyeurism, a lot of suspense and several plot twists. In true Hitchcock style, some macabre sequences are delivered with a reserved humor. Several small objects with large significance flit in and out of the story; sometime shifting their significance with each appearance, in one case disappearing (or was its importance all my imagination?) and in another instance providing the story`s resolution. Comparison to the works of the Master of Suspense Hitchcock,

    US poster for MOTHER, the new film from writer/ director Bong Joon-ho. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. © 2009 CJ Entertainment and Barunson

    Asian Cinema

    New Murder Mystery from the Director of THE HOST Source: Magnolia Pictures Official Movie Site: motherfilm.com (US), mother2009.co.kr (Korea) Special Thanks to Marina Bailey MOTHER (Madeo, 2009), the latest film from award-winning Korean director Bong Joon-ho (THE HOST) is a unique murder mystery about a mother`s primal love for her son. The movie has been picked up for release in the United States by Magnolia Pictures and begins its theatrical run on March 12th. Check magpictures.com/dates for theaters and screening times. The following production notes are courtesy of Magnolia Pictures... MOTHER A film by BONG Joon-ho Running time: 129 min. Rated R for language, some sexual content, violence and drug use 2009 Film Independent Spirit Awards (Nominee – Best Foreign Film) Official Selection: 2010 Palm Springs International Film Festival 2009 Cannes Film Festival 2009 Toronto Film Festival 2009 Tribeca Film Festival 2009 New York

    The new anime movie MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UC (UNICORN) will make its US premiere at VIZ Cinema on March 19th. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2010 Sotsu, Sunrise

    Asian Cinema

    Theatre Also Announces Lecture on Anime Icon Hayao Miyazaki, and Screenings for 2010 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: NewPeopleWorld.com Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Cinema in San Francisco, CA, the nation’s only movie theatre dedicated to Japanese film, has announced a variety of notable film screenings, festivals, lectures and other special events to be held throughout the month of March. Tokyo Scope: The Wild and Crazy World of Japanese Cult Films: Vol.1 YAKUZA NIGHT FEVER! New activities kick off on March 5th with Tokyo Scope: The Wild and Crazy World of Japanese Cult Films. Come celebrate the launch of Japanese pop culture critic and Otaku USA Editor-in-Chief Patrick Macias’s new film/lecture series. Also sponsored by SEGA of America, the evening’s events begin at 6:00pm and will include a reception, a lecture on

    JOSEE, THE TIGER AND THE FISH. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2003 Josee, The Tiger and the Fish Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Romance, Anime, and 20TH CENTURY BOYS 2 in San Francisco Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: NewPeopleWorld.com Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen February is the month of love and VIZ Cinema, the nation’s first and only movie theatre dedicated to Japanese film, sweetens this theme with a pair of captivating love stories by director Isshin Inudo, presented in association with Asmik Ace Entertainment. Don’t miss the chance to attend the West Coast premieres of these heartwarming cinematic masterpieces. How far would you go in the name of LOVE? VIZ Cinema is privileged to present director Inudo’s JOSEE, THE TIGER AND THE FISH, screening February 5th –18th; and LA MAISON DE HIMIKO, showing February 18th – March 4th. To celebrate the spirit of Valentine’s Day for the entire month of February, filmgoers who also bring a date (or a friend) will receive a special 50% discount

    The blind swordsman Zatoichi is back on the big screen this month in ZATOICHI, THE FUGITIVE, one of nine chambara classics playing Japan Society`s

    Asian Cinema

    Japan Society Presents the Second Installment of "The Double-Edged Sword" Chambara Film Series Source: Japan Society Special Thanks to Sean Levine New York – Japan Society`s latest Monthly Classics film series "The Double-Edged Sword: The Chambara Films of Shintaro Katsu & Raizo Ichikawa" pays tribute to two Japanese screen legends in their most respected, representative and stylish chambara (sword fighting) films. Curated by film expert and author Chris D. (Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film), the series screens monthly through May 2010. Having opened in December, the second installment in the series is ZATOICHI, THE FUGITIVE on Friday, January 22 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $11/$7 Japan Society members, students and seniors. ZATOICHI, THE FUGITIVE (Zatoichi kyojo-tabi) Friday, January 22, 7:30 pm 1963, 86 min., 35 mm, color, in Japanese with English subtitles. Directed by Tokuzo Tanaka. With Shintaro Katsu, Miwa Takada, Masayo Banri, Junichiro Narita, Katsuhiko Kobayashi.

    DVD cover art for DAIDO MORIYAMA: STRAY DOG OF TOKYO. The documentary will play the VIZ Cinema on January 26. Photo VIZ Media. © 2001 B.B.B. Co., Ltd

    Asian Cinema

    DVD Release and Special San Francisco Screening on January 26 Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: VIZ Pictures Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, will release the newest volume of its ongoing NEW PEOPLE ARTIST SERIES – DAIDO MORIYAMA: STRAY DOG OF TOKYO (Near Equal Moriyama Daidou, 2001) on DVD January 26th. This intriguing documentary profiles the life and art of Japan’s foremost photographer and highlights his unorthodox style and technique. The DVD will carry an MSRP of $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN and will be distributed by VIZ Media. Daido Moriyama has been a major force in artistic photography since the late 60’s, but his true persona has been hidden behind a veil of mystery since he has refused any major media appearances - until now.

    The documentary DAIDO MORIYAMA: STRAY DOG OF TOKYO will play the VIZ Cinema on January 26. Photo courtesy of Eleven Arts. © 2001 B.B.B. Co., Ltd

    Asian Cinema

    “Hit Me With Music Vol. 2” Film Series Runs this January Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: NewPeopleWorld.com Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen San Francisco`s VIZ Cinema, the nation’s first and only movie theatre dedicated to Japanese film, opens 2010 with an exciting new program for January that continues to explore music as a cinematic theme. From rock ‘n roll to classical, music provides the soundtrack for young people’s lives. “Hit Me With Music, Volume 2” will showcase several films that each move to a different beat and will premiere SHINDO, MIDNIGHT SUN and OH! MY BUDDHA. VIZ Cinema’s ever popular "Weeknight Anime People" will screen the samurai action of SWORD OF THE STRANGER while the venue’s "New People Artist Series" plans a special presentation of the intriguing documentary, DAIDO MORIYAMA: STRAY DOG OF TOKYO. Preview trailers and screening times are

    Kenichi Matsuyma— best known as L in the DEATH NOTE films— stars in the ninja manga adaptation KAMUI. © 2009 Kamui Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Junko Kawaguchi The ninja action film KAMUI, directed by Yoichi Sai and co-produced/distributed by Shochiku Co., Ltd., will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, to be held in Toronto, Ontario from September 10- September 19, 2009. KAMUI is one of eight international films newly added to the festival`s Special Presentation Program. Founded in 1976, TIFF takes over 23 screens in downtown Toronto for 10 days each September. Last year, more than 300,000 attendees turned out for screenings of 312 films from 64 different countries. KAMUI is a live action adaptation of Sanpei Shirato`s manga The Legend of Kamui, which was originally serialized in the Japanese anthology magazine Garo from December 1964 to July 1971. An English language version of The Legend of Kamui was first released by VIZ Media in 1987. In 1969, the story

    The classic samurai hero Zatoichi gets a makeover in the new film ICHI. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd.. © 2008 ICHI Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Press Notes and Photos from Shochiku Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Movie Site: ICHI Special Thanks to Aki Harimoto SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new movie. The famed ZATOICHI returns to the screen once again... this time as the female character ICHI. With eyes that cannot see, the audience will reach her soul, where emotions burst with relentless action! Introduction Zatoichi— a wandering blind swordsman who protects the innocent and fights injustice— has been one of the the most popular samurai heroes in Japanese cinema and television. The character was featured in one of Japan`s longest-running movie series, with 26 films produced between 1962 and 1989 starring Shintaro Katsu as Zatoichi. Katsu also played the role in the 112 episode television series THE TALE OF ZATOICHI, which aired from 1974 to 1979. In 2003, "Beat" Takeshi Kitano directed

    A mixture of the traditional and the modern: Shochiku`s updated studio provides a variety of filming locations in the Kyoto area, an extensive backlot, and new state-of-the art production facilities. Upper right photo courtesy of Stuart Galbraith IV. © Shochiku Co., Ltd.

    Asian Cinema

    Author: Elliot Gay Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Special thanks to Aki Harimoto and Stuart Galbraith IV Founded in 1895 as a Kabuki theater company, Shochiku Co., Ltd. has been one of the top movie production and distribution companies in Japan since 1920. The studio has produced the works of some of Japan`s most respected directors; a partial list includes such greats as Yasujiro Ozu, Kenji Mizoguchi, Akira Kurosawa, Hiroshi Shimizu, Keisuke Kinoshita, Nagisa Oshima, Yoji Yamada, Kinji Fukusaku, and Takeshi Kitano. Shochiku also created the beloved Tora-San film series, which featured 48 entries produced from 1969-1995 and earned a spot as "the longest movie series in the world" in the Guiness Book of World Records. The studio is also known for its many samurai pictures and as well as cult film favorites like THE X FROM OUTER SPACE and GOKE, BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL.

    Just some of the many Asian films onscreen this month in New York City. ROUGH CUT © 2008 Kim Ki-duk Film. LOVE EXPOSURE © 2008

    Asian Cinema

    The New York Asian Film Festival and Japan Cuts to Screen More than 50 Feature Films in June and July Source: Subway Cinema, Japan Society Special Thanks to Toyah Attwell and Grady Hendrix Beginning this month, New York City plays host to 24 days of Asian cinema. Subway Cinema`s New York Asian Film Festival (June 19- July 5) and Japan Society`s JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Films (June 30 - July 12) combined will feature more than 50 movies, exclusive Q&A’s with filmmakers, and other special events. This year also marks the third collaboration between JAPAN CUTS and NYAFF, who will co-present seven films at the Japan Society from July 1-5. Festival Venues The IFC Center 323 Sixth Avenue (between 3rd and 4th Streets) New York, NY 10014 Box office: (212) 924-7771 The IFC Center is the ultimate entertainment space for New Yorkers seeking

    Poster art for THE WARLORDS. The Hong Kong action epic will be released in North America by Magnet. © 2007 Talentaid International Ltd.

    Asian Cinema

    Source: mPRm Public Relations press release Official Site (Hong Kong): WarlordsTheMovie Special Thanks to Clay Dollarhide The Wagner/Cuban Companies` Magnet Releasing, the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that it has acquired North American rights to Peter Ho-Sun Chan’s historical action epic, THE WARLORDS. Boasting an all-star cast, including Jet Li, Andy Lau (INFERNAL AFFAIRS) and Takeshi Kaneshiro (RETURNER, K-20: LEGEND OF THE MASK), THE WARLORDS was a huge critical and commercial hit in China, winning eight Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Director for Chan and Best Actor for Li. Depicting the same historical events that were the basis for the Shaw Brothers classic BLOOD BROTHERS, THE WARLORDS is set in the midst of war and political upheaval during the Taiping Rebellion of the 1860s. Jet Li stars as General Pang, who after a surviving a massacre of his fellow soldiers by playing dead,

    Poster art for the new movie anthology TOKYO! Photo courtesy of Liberation Entertainment. © 2009 Liberation Entertainment

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Alex Hernandez, New York-Tokyo Official Movie Site: tokyothemovie.com In TOKYO!, three visionary directors (Michel Gondry, Leos Carax and Bong Joon-ho) come together for an omnibus triptych examining the nature of one unforgettable city as it’s shaped by the disparate people who live, work (and run amok) inside an enormous, constantly evolving, densely populated Japanese megalopolis — the enchanting and inimitable Tokyo. Rhapsody, psychogeography, urban valentine, freak show, mindwalk and many other things, TOKYO! is a fantasy in three movements that will make you see one of the world’s greatest cities— if not any city— with a new point of view. In the tradition of such films as NEW YORK STORIES, NIGHT ON EARTH, PARIS JE T’AIME and its forthcoming sequel NEW YORK I LOVE YOU, TOKYO! addresses the timeless question of whether we shape cities, or if cities shape us— while in the process, revealing

    Director Yoji Yamada will soon begin shooting OTOUTO. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd.

    Asian Cinema

    New Drama from the Award-Winning Director of THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Aki Harimoto Shochiku Co., Ltd. announced today that they would start production of Yoji Yamada’s latest feature, OTOUTO (original Japanese title). The film will start shooting in mid-January 2009. Yoji Yamada now returns to modern drama for the first time in 10 years, following the enormous success of the samurai trilogy that included the Academy Award nominated film THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI (Tasogare Seibei, 2002), THE HIDDEN BLADE (Kakushi Ken, Oni no Tsume, 2004) and LOVE AND HONOR (Bushi no Ichibun, 2006). His last feature was the highly acclaimed KABEI – OUR MOTHER (Kabei, 2008), which premiered at the 2008 Berlin Film Festival in competition and moved the audience to tears with the strong drama of a family`s struggles through the hard times of WWII. Shochiku Co. Ltd., will produce

    © 2008 Reed Exhibitions

    Asian Cinema

    Star-Studded Line Up at 2008 Event Source: Roger Bilheimer Associates press release Official Site: New York Anime Festival The second annual New York Anime Festival (NYAF), which will take place in New York City September 26 – 28 at the Jacob K. Javits Center, boasts a wide cross-section of prominent guests from the worlds of fashion, music, food, as well as comics, fulfilling the festival’s goal of expanding beyond anime specifically to embrace many aspects of Japanese pop culture. In its first year in 2007, the New York Anime Festival became an immediate success, playing host to thousands of fans and instantly becoming the fourth largest anime festival in the United States. “Our festival is like an entire world unto itself, with an enormous and dedicated fan base which literally soaks up all that we have to offer,” notes Lance Fensterman, Show Manager for NYAF. “This

    Toshiro Mifune stars in Akira Kurosawa`s 1950 masterpiece RASHOMON, now fully restored due to the efforts of Kadokawa Culture Promotion Foundation, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and The Film Foundation. Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures. © 1950 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

    Asian Cinema

    Combined US/Japanese Effort Preserves a Landmark in Japanese Cinema; Academy Presents 3 Month Celebration of Akira Kurosawa Source: Kadokawa Pictures, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Special Thanks to Oki Miyano Contents: Kadokawa Pictures press release: The Rashomon Restoration Project The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences press release: Academy to Salute Akira Kurosawa The Rashomon Restoration Project Kadokawa Culture Promotion Foundation and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences It has been ten years since the legendary director Akira Kurosawa (March 23, 1910 - September 6, 1998) passed away. Kadokawa Pictures is now completing the task of digitally restoring Kurosawa`s RASHOMON with The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Considering RASHOMON`s arts and cultural values, Kadokawa Culture Promotion Foundation, The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in the US, and The

    So where does Speed go after making a colorful splash on the big screen? ©2008 Tatsunoko Productions and Speed Racer Enterprises.

    Asian Cinema

    Part 1: Go Speed Go! A Series Overview Part 2: Racers Start Your Engines! How it All Began Part 3: Speed Racer is Born! MACH GO GO GO Comes to the U.S. Part 4: The Aftermath of Speed Part 5: The Movie and Beyond Author: James Long On May 9th, one of the most eagerly awaited events in the history of SPEED RACER came to fruition when the big screen, live action adaptation of the adventures of these classic characters was released to theaters across America. The notion of a live action version of SPEED RACER has been bandied about Hollywood for a couple of decades now. The earliest mentions of such a project appear to have come about in 1986, when then-student David Lane Seltzer was watching the movie TOP GUN. Scenes of Tom Cruise wearing his helmet

    STAR TREK and HEROES star George Takei plays Ono, the owner of the kaiju-themed restaurant Monster Sushi in SHOWDOWN OF THE GODZ. Takei`s connection to the Toho monster movies dates back to the late 1950`s when he dubbed voices for RODAN and the first Godzilla sequel GIGANTIS THE FIRE MONSTER. Photo courtesy of Robert Troch and Jim Cirile. © 2008 Showdown Of The Godz

    Asian Cinema

    Godzilla-themed satire featuring STAR TREK`s George Takei Author: Robert Troch and Jim Cirile Official Movie Site: SHOWDOWN OF THE GODZ At long last SHOWDOWN OF THE GODZ is here! What is it? Why is it here? SHOWDOWN OF THE GODZ is an independent family film that ANY kaiju fan can appreciate, and any non-kaiju fan can enjoy. A satire starring David Gassman (RAYMAN series, THE BOURNE IDENTITY), Alixx Schotland, Ayla Guttman and the legendary George Takei (STAR TREK, HEROES), SHOWDOWN OF THE GODZ is a 17 minute short film written by Jim Cirile and Aaron Schnore, produced by John Reefer, Jim Cirile, Robert Troch, Julien Calderbank and directed by Julien Calderbank. The story goes like this... Jesse (David Gasman) is the world`s biggest Japanese monster movie fan. Trapped in a stultifying insurance job and a deteriorating marriage, the only bright spot in his

    The festival includes the U.S. Premiere of the new animated STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, the world premiere of BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE, classics like IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA, a tribute to Stan Winston, and a sneak preview of HELL RIDE. THE CLONE WARS © 2008 Lucasfilm, Godzilla © Toho Co., Ltd., IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA © 1955 Columbia Pictures, HELL RIDE © 2008 Dimension Films

    Asian Cinema

    A Month of New and Classic Films at the Egyptian and Aero Theatres! Source: American Cinematheque From the American Cinematheque... Join us for more of what you love best – new and vintage classic and cult fantastic films, including a Sneak Preview of Larry Bishop’s phantasmagorical biker pic HELL RIDE (produced and edited by Quentin Tarantino), the Pang Brothers’ newest, RE-CYCLE, the U.S. Premiere of the new animated STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS and the World Premiere of Norman England’s documentary, BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE. Plus, more British horror classics from the Golden Age, including JACK THE RIPPER, A STUDY IN TERROR, THE TELL-TALE HEART, THE VAMPIRE LOVERS, brand new prints of Hammer Studios Christopher Lee adventure pix THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES, THE PIRATES OF BLOOD RIVER and TERROR OF THE TONGS, a new print of Hammer’s hardboiled wartime atrocity opus THE CAMP ON BLOOD ISLAND, plus

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