CONTROL TOWER Inspired by and Named After Song by Indie Teenage Sensation Galileo Galilei Source: Twisted PR press release Official Movie Site: galileogalilei.jp/eiga (Japan) Special Thanks to Tom Smith
Hokkaido’s hottest new talent, Galileo Galilei, prepares for success in Britain as a film inspired by their music gets its European premier at London’s Raindance Film Festival 2011 on 9 October. The four-piece indie-rock group blasted into the mainstream after dominating Japan’s ‘Senkou Riot’ teenage talent festival. Since then, their debut single has surpassed one million download sales and their first major label album gained top five success in the country’s Weekly Oricon Album chart. Now, a film named after the first song they ever wrote, CONTROL TOWER (???, Kanseitou, 2011), sets to capture the emotion behind the chords and translate the lyrics’ message in a medium that transcends the language barrier. Upon first hearing the song live in concert, director Takahiro Miki knew that he wanted to make a film from it. “We were surprised and thrilled when we first heard about the project,” says vocalist Yuuki Ozaki. “Kanseitou was about those feelings we had as teenagers, battling against an overwhelming sense of hopelessness as time inevitably ticks on.” The film, screening on 9 October, was the center of attention before its Japanese theatrical release, drawing more than 10,000 applicants for its invitation-only premier. Featuring up-and-coming teenage talent Kento Yamazaki and Ai Hashimoto (from Japan’s entry to 2010’s Academy Awards, CONFESSIONS), CONTROL TOWER follows Kakeru, a 15 year old boy, and Mii, a female transfer student who picks up the unfortunate nickname Little My for her resemblance to a character from The Moomins. They are two lonely teens who cannot find their place in life, but who gradually learn to relate to each other through the power of music. The film uses the band’s quaint hometown of Wakkanai in northern Japan as its setting. ‘Parade’, Galileo Galilei’s critically acclaimed debut album is available now in the UK from major digital outlets and includes ‘Kanseitou’, their breakthrough debut single ‘Hanamasu no Hana’ and nine other tracks that demonstrate why these Hokkaido boys are setting the standard for Japan’s teenage rock movement. ‘Parade’ is available from iTunes and Amazon. CONTROL TOWER entry on the Raindance Film Festival’s homepage: CONTROL TOWER
About Raindance Film Festival
Started in 1993, the Raindance Film Festival has become one of the most internationally famed independent film festivals. Often compared to the US’ Sundance Music Festival, Raindance attracts not only film lovers but also journalists, producers, actors / actresses, and directors. Past guests include Iggy pop, Anton Corbijn, Quentin Tarantino, Lou Reed and Tom Waits to name a few. The film festival runs from September 28, 2011 until October 9, 2011.