Source: LA EigaFest press release Official Site: laeigafest.com Special Thanks to Joy Moh LA EigaFest, Los Angeles’ preeminent Japanese film festival, returns for its 5th year on September 25th-27th at the LA Live Regal Cinemas. LA EigaFest is presented by the Japan Film Society to showcase Japanese and Japanese influenced films that appeal to the broad American audience, introduce and promote new and upcoming filmmakers/talent to Hollywood and enhance the relationship between the US and Japanese film industries. “We`re very excited to celebrate our 5th anniversary at L.A. LIVE Regal Cinemas, which is a big milestone for us. Our film festival has grown over the years and we believe L.A. LIVE is a great location to showcase the festival`s young and energetic vibe,” says Hayato Mitsuishi, President of the Japan Film Society and LA EigaFest Festival Director, “We have a great line-up of films that are mostly North American or US premieres and this is a rare opportunity to see the latest Japanese films with English sub-titles on the big screen." LA EigaFest 2015 will open with the American premiere of RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS, the 3rd and final installment of the Kenshin action trilogy. The film festival will close with the US premiere of Yakuza action comedy, RYUZO AND THE SEVEN HENCHMEN, directed by Takeshi Kitano. Highlighting films across all genres, LA EigaFest 2015 will host the North American premiere of youth comedy drama, FLYING COLORS, the highest grossing film in Japan this year, and youth anime, THE CASE OF HANA & ALICE. Additional special screenings include: PRINCESS JELLYFISH (North American Premiere), PROPHECY (North American Premiere), SHINSENGUMI (North American Premiere), TAG (US Premiere), THAT’S IT (US Premiere), THE MOURNER (North American Premiere), DEADMAN INFERNO (US Premiere), FORGET ME NOT (West Coast Premiere), MAESTRO! (US Premiere), INITIATION LOVE (Southern California Premiere), THAT’S IT (Southern California Premiere), PASSAGE OF JOMON AND PAKUR (International Premiere), MOMENT GIRL: MEMENTO MORI (International Premiere), and SOLOMON’S PERJURY 1 & 2 (West Coast Premiere). The festival will also have a shorts program (SSFF&Asia selection) and a Shorts Competition (Golden Zipangu Awards). All films will include English subtitles. LA EigaFest 2014 saw thousands of attendees, hosted a business panel held in conjunction with the Japan External Trade Organization and Japan Film Society, and honored Tom Cruise and Doug Liman (EDGE OF TOMORROW director). Previous celebrities who have attended the festival include Oliver Stone, Ken Watanabe and George Takei. Tickets and additional information can be found at laeigafest.com.
RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS. Photo courtesy of LA EigaFest. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/ Shueisha. © 2014 LA EigaFest 2015 PROGRAM L.A. LIVE Regal Cinemas (1000 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015) ? 9/25 RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS (?????? ??????, Rurouni Kenshin Densetsu no Saigo hen, 2014) US Premiere, 134min Director - Keishi Ohtomo Starring - Takeru Sato, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Emi Takei Opening @ Premiere House ? 9/26 MAESTRO! (??????, Maesutoro, 2015) US Premiere, 129min Director - Shotaro Kobayashi Starring - Tori Matsuzaka, Toshiyuki Nishida, Miwa Auditorium 12 THE MOURNER (???, Itamu Hito, 2015) North American Premiere, 138min Director - Yukihiko Tsutsumi Starring - Kengo Kora, Yuriko Ishida, Arata Iura Auditorium 12 PROPHECY (???, Yokokuhan, 2015) North American Premiere, 122min Director - Yoshihiro Nakamura Starring - Toma Ikuta, Erika Toda, Ryohei Suzuki Auditorium 12 THAT’S IT (???? / that`s it, Soredake, 2015) US Premiere, 110min Director - Gakuryu Ishii Starring - Shota Sometani, Erina Mizuno, Kiyohiko Shibukawa Auditorium 12 KAKEKOMI (?????????, 2015) Southern California Premiere, 144min Director - Masato Harada Starring - Yo Oizumi, Erika Toda, Hikari Mitsushima Auditorium 13
THE CASE OF HANA & ALICE (????? ????, Hana to Arisu Satsujin Jiken, 2015) Southern California Premiere, 100min Director - Shunji Iwai Starring - Ann Suzuki, Yu Aoi, Ryo KAtsuji Auditorium 13 FLYING COLORS (?????, Biri Gyaru, 2015) North American Premiere, 117min Director - Nobuhiro Doi Starring - Kasumi Arimura, Atsushi Ito, Shuhei Nomura Auditorium 13 SOLOMON’S PERJURY 1: SUSPICION (??????????, Solomon no Gisho Zenpen, 2015) West Coast Premiere, 121min Director - Izuru Narushima Starring - Ryoko Fujino, Mizuki Itagaki, Anna Ishii Auditorium 13 SOLOMON’S PERJURY 2: JUDGEMENT (??????????, Solomon no Gisho Kohen, 2015) West Coast Premiere, 146min Director - Izuru Narushima Starring - Ryoko Fujino, Mizuki Itagaki, Anna Ishii Auditorium 13 TAG (???????, Real Onigokko, 2015) US Premiere, 85min Director - Shion Sono Starring - Reina Trindl, Mariko Shinoda, Yuki Sakurai Auditorium 13
TAG. Photo courtesy of Asmik Ace. © 2015 “Tag” Film Committee?? 9/27 SHORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL & ASIA SELECTION 61min Directors – Yuki Saito, Takuya Matsumoto, Hidenobu Abera Auditorium 12 WGFF SELECTION (DOCUMENTARY) - PASSAGE OF JOMON AND PAKUR (????????????, Jomon-go to Pakuru-go no Kokai, 2014) International Premiere, 122min Director - Hiroyuki Mizumoto Starring - Yoshiharu Sekino, Junichiro Watabe, Youhei Sato Auditorium 12 SHORTS COMPETITION: GOLDEN ZIPANGU AWARDS 90min Directors: Keita Niwa, Tsukasa Kishimoto, Yoshiaki Sajima, Takumi Kawagoe, Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. Auditorium 12 WGFF SELECTION (FEATURE) - MOMENT GIRL: MEMENTO MORI (????, Shunkan Shoujo, 2013) International Premiere, 101min Director - Kento Shimizu Starring - Kanako Kataoka, Yura Komuro, Kouichiro Kanzaki Auditorium 12 FORGET ME NOT (?????????????, Wasurenai to Chikatta Boku ga Ita, 2015) West Coast Premiere, 94min Director - Kei Horie Starring - Nijiro Murakami, Akari Hayami, Yoshikazu Nishikawa Auditorium 13 JVTA SPECIAL SCREENING - SHINSENGUMI (???, Shinsengu, 2000) North American Premiere, 86min Director - Kon Ichikawa Starring - Atsuo Nakamura, Kiichi Nakai, Ryuji Harada Auditorium 13
INITIATION LOVE (???????????, Inishieshon Rabu, 2015) Southern California Premiere, 110min Director - Yukihiko Tsutsumi Starring - Atsuko Maeda, Shota Matsuda, Fumino Kimura Auditorium 13 DEADMAN INFERNO (Z?????, Z Airando, 2015) US Premiere, 109min Director - Hiroshi Shinagawa Starring - Sho Aikawa, Shingo Tsurumi, Sawa Suzuki Auditorium 13 PRINCESS JELLYFISH (???, Kuragehime, 2014) North American Premiere, 126min Director - Yasuhiro Kawamura Starring - Rena Nounen, Masaki Suda, Nana Katase Premiere House RYUZO AND THE SEVEN HENCHMEN (??????????, 2015) US Premiere, 125min Director - Takeshi Kitano Starring - Tatsuya Fuji, Masaomi Kondo, Akira Nakao Closing @ Premiere House
About LA EigaFest
LA EigaFest is a Japanese film festival based in Los Angeles devoted to: showcasing Japanese/Japanese influenced films to an American audience, promoting emerging filmmakers to Hollywood, and enhancing the communication and relationship between US and Japanese film industries. “Eiga” means “film” in Japanese and was included in the festival’s title in the hopes of becoming an iconic Japanese-English term and a symbol of cross-cultural efforts between Japanese and U.S. filmmakers.
About Japan Film Society
The Japan Film Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to promote Japanese film and culture in the United States. It is a network of artists, business people, and film lovers who share an appreciation for the diverse world of Japanese cinema and aspire to showcase the work of Japanese filmmakers and non-Japanese artists inspired by Japanese cinema and culture. Their mission is to help enhance understanding and build relationships between Japan and the United States through film, and to work together with artists, fans, and the public to create positive change in society.