Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa nabbed another career honor Sunday, winning the Venice Film Festival’s best director award for Wife of a Spy, the first period drama of his prolific filmography.
Set in 1940 Kobe, Japan, the film stars Issey Takahashi (Kill Bill, Shin Godzilla) as a debonair silk merchant whose cosmopolitan world view is on a collision course with Japan’s advancing militarism and stifling social conformity. Trapped between the duties of a wife and a citizen is his adoring wife Satoko (Yu Aoi, Birds Without Names), whose desire to truly know her husband sets up the film’s many ...
Set in 1940 Kobe, Japan, the film stars Issey Takahashi (Kill Bill, Shin Godzilla) as a debonair silk merchant whose cosmopolitan world view is on a collision course with Japan’s advancing militarism and stifling social conformity. Trapped between the duties of a wife and a citizen is his adoring wife Satoko (Yu Aoi, Birds Without Names), whose desire to truly know her husband sets up the film’s many ...
- 9/15/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa nabbed another career honor Sunday, winning the Venice Film Festival’s best director award for Wife of a Spy, the first period drama of his prolific filmography.
Set in 1940 Kobe, Japan, the film stars Issey Takahashi (Kill Bill, Shin Godzilla) as a debonair silk merchant whose cosmopolitan world view is on a collision course with Japan’s advancing militarism and stifling social conformity. Trapped between the duties of a wife and a citizen is his adoring wife Satoko (Yu Aoi, Birds Without Names), whose desire to truly know her husband sets up the film’s many ...
Set in 1940 Kobe, Japan, the film stars Issey Takahashi (Kill Bill, Shin Godzilla) as a debonair silk merchant whose cosmopolitan world view is on a collision course with Japan’s advancing militarism and stifling social conformity. Trapped between the duties of a wife and a citizen is his adoring wife Satoko (Yu Aoi, Birds Without Names), whose desire to truly know her husband sets up the film’s many ...
- 9/15/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Imagine a Japanese version of “Pygmalion” in which the sculptor continues to caress slabs of marble even after Galatea has come to life. That is the unusual premise of “Romance Doll,” a marital drama in which a sex doll maker’s rapt obssession with his new prototype, leads to rejection of his human muse. Directed by Yuki Tanada, from her own 2009 novel of the same title, the film initially holds promise to become a liberating erotic art film against the objectification of the female body. However,
Although it’s underlying attitudes about female sexuality might be problematic for female and feminist viewers, its suggestive subject matter (handled without offensive kinkiness) will set many an imaginative mind sprinting. “Romance Doll” was snapped up for theatrical release by several Asian territories. Following a premiere at Udine Far East Film Festival, it starts streaming on Netflix on July 24.
Films that make sex dolls their subject,...
Although it’s underlying attitudes about female sexuality might be problematic for female and feminist viewers, its suggestive subject matter (handled without offensive kinkiness) will set many an imaginative mind sprinting. “Romance Doll” was snapped up for theatrical release by several Asian territories. Following a premiere at Udine Far East Film Festival, it starts streaming on Netflix on July 24.
Films that make sex dolls their subject,...
- 7/15/2020
- by Maggie Lee
- Variety Film + TV
What is love? If you cannot find the answer in these 40 Asian movies, handpicked by the Amp group one by one, then there is definitely something wrong with you. Without further ado, here are 40 great Asian romantic films, released from 2000 onward, with a focus on diversity on country of origin, director, and style, in alphabetical order.
1. 2046
“2046” loses the simplicity and the chasteness of “In the Mood for Love” for a more chaotic and a bit lustful endeavor with greater ambition. This is a film that affects each person differently, what one takes away from this film will depends on themselves. (Jithin Mohan)
2. 3-Iron
Kim Ki-duk’s direction and the editing are magnificent, as he accomplishes very much with all of his choices. Even when the main characters never say a word to each other, the story catches us by concrete scenes flowing clearly. The calm but...
1. 2046
“2046” loses the simplicity and the chasteness of “In the Mood for Love” for a more chaotic and a bit lustful endeavor with greater ambition. This is a film that affects each person differently, what one takes away from this film will depends on themselves. (Jithin Mohan)
2. 3-Iron
Kim Ki-duk’s direction and the editing are magnificent, as he accomplishes very much with all of his choices. Even when the main characters never say a word to each other, the story catches us by concrete scenes flowing clearly. The calm but...
- 4/9/2020
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
In my book, Kazuya Shiraishi has raised to be the sterling voice of Japanese mainstream cinema during the last few years, with films like “Birds Without Names“, “The Blood of Wolves” and others combining artistry and context in the most entertaining fashion. “Sea of Revival” attempts to follow in the same footsteps.
Sea of Revival is screening as part of The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme
Ikuo works at a printing plant but has troubles with both gambling and drinking, with his life having taken a rather failed path. However, his girlfriend, Ayumi, who lives together with him and her teenage daughter from a previous wedding, Minami, is not willing to let him go. In order to “save” him, and their financial situation, she decides to take the whole family and move to her hometown, Ishinomaki, in her widowed father’s house, where she can also take care of yet another person.
Sea of Revival is screening as part of The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme
Ikuo works at a printing plant but has troubles with both gambling and drinking, with his life having taken a rather failed path. However, his girlfriend, Ayumi, who lives together with him and her teenage daughter from a previous wedding, Minami, is not willing to let him go. In order to “save” him, and their financial situation, she decides to take the whole family and move to her hometown, Ishinomaki, in her widowed father’s house, where she can also take care of yet another person.
- 2/2/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Masami Nagasawa (Our Little Sister) stars in the story of a young boy and his alcoholic mother.
Japan’s Gaga Corp is handling international sales on Tatsushi Omori’s Mother and will introduce the title to buyers at the upcoming European Film Market (Efm) in Berlin.
Starring Masami Nagasawa (Our Little Sister) and marking the first feature of child actor Daiken Okudaira, the film follows a young boy struggling with an alcoholic mother who forces him to extract money from his grandparents, rather than sending him to school. The cast also includes Sadawo Abe (Birds Without Names).
Currently in post-production,...
Japan’s Gaga Corp is handling international sales on Tatsushi Omori’s Mother and will introduce the title to buyers at the upcoming European Film Market (Efm) in Berlin.
Starring Masami Nagasawa (Our Little Sister) and marking the first feature of child actor Daiken Okudaira, the film follows a young boy struggling with an alcoholic mother who forces him to extract money from his grandparents, rather than sending him to school. The cast also includes Sadawo Abe (Birds Without Names).
Currently in post-production,...
- 1/22/2020
- by 89¦Liz Shackleton¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Masami Nagasawa (Our Little Sister) stars in the story of a young boy and his alcoholic mother.
Japan’s Gaga Corp is handling international sales on Tatsushi Omori’s Mother and will introduce the title to buyers at the upcoming European Film Market (Efm) in Berlin.
Starring Masami Nagasawa (Our Little Sister) and marking the first feature of child actor Daiken Okudaira, the film follows a young boy struggling with an alcoholic mother who forces him to extract money from his grandparents, rather than sending him to school. The cast also includes Sadawo Abe (Birds Without Names).
Currently in post-production,...
Japan’s Gaga Corp is handling international sales on Tatsushi Omori’s Mother and will introduce the title to buyers at the upcoming European Film Market (Efm) in Berlin.
Starring Masami Nagasawa (Our Little Sister) and marking the first feature of child actor Daiken Okudaira, the film follows a young boy struggling with an alcoholic mother who forces him to extract money from his grandparents, rather than sending him to school. The cast also includes Sadawo Abe (Birds Without Names).
Currently in post-production,...
- 1/22/2020
- by 89¦Liz Shackleton¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
The Japanese filmmaker started shooting in Japan in October.
Japan’s Nikkatsu has picked up international rights to Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s next project, an ambitious as-yet-untitled war drama that he will shoot with 8K Super Hi-Vision.
Kurosawa has co-scripted the film with Ryusuke Hamaguchi, whose Asako I & II played in Cannes Competition in 2018, and Tadashi Nohara, co-writer of Hamaguchi’s Happy Hour. Yu Aoi (Birds Without Names) will head the cast.
Set in Kobe, Japan in 1940, the film follows a merchant who witnesses a conspiracy whilst travelling and decides to take action to reveal it to the world. His wife...
Japan’s Nikkatsu has picked up international rights to Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s next project, an ambitious as-yet-untitled war drama that he will shoot with 8K Super Hi-Vision.
Kurosawa has co-scripted the film with Ryusuke Hamaguchi, whose Asako I & II played in Cannes Competition in 2018, and Tadashi Nohara, co-writer of Hamaguchi’s Happy Hour. Yu Aoi (Birds Without Names) will head the cast.
Set in Kobe, Japan in 1940, the film follows a merchant who witnesses a conspiracy whilst travelling and decides to take action to reveal it to the world. His wife...
- 11/7/2019
- by 89¦Liz Shackleton¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Iyamisu is a subgenre of mystery fiction, which deals with grisly episodes and the dark side of human nature. The subgenre has been quite popular recently in Japan, particularly through the works of Mahokaru Numata, Kanae Minato and Yukiko Mari. Inevitably, it also found its way into the cinematic world, with films such as Minato’s “Confessions” and Numata’s “Birds Without Names”.
Birds Without Names is screening at Five Flavours
Towako lives an aimless life. She is still stuck thinking about her ex-boyfriend, Kurosaki, even though they have broken up 8 years ago, and despite the awful things he did to her, including a severe beating upon their break up. She lives with a man named Jinji, a worker who is 15 years older than she is, and whom she actually despises, constantly putting him down and slamming him verbally for his “vulgar” ways. The only reason she lives with him...
Birds Without Names is screening at Five Flavours
Towako lives an aimless life. She is still stuck thinking about her ex-boyfriend, Kurosaki, even though they have broken up 8 years ago, and despite the awful things he did to her, including a severe beating upon their break up. She lives with a man named Jinji, a worker who is 15 years older than she is, and whom she actually despises, constantly putting him down and slamming him verbally for his “vulgar” ways. The only reason she lives with him...
- 11/21/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
After dealing with the Roman Porno Reboot, doing the same with the Yakuza film was the reasonable path for Kazuya Shiraishi, whose career seems to be picking up during the last few years, with productions like “Twisted Justice”, “The Devil’s Path”, and “Birds Without Names”. Furthermore, his approach toward the Yakuza film, with a combination of Kinji Fukasaku’s aesthetics as dictated in the “Yakuza Papers” and the style of “Training Day”, seems to be the way for the genre to go from now on. Let us take things from the beginning though.
“The Blood of Wolves” is screening at Five Flavours Festival
The script is based on the novel “Korou no Chi” by Yuko Yuzuki and is set in 1988 in Hiroshima, prior to the enactment of the anti-organized crime law. Shuichi Hioka is the new guy in the East Kurehara precinct and is partnered up with Detective Shogo Ogami,...
“The Blood of Wolves” is screening at Five Flavours Festival
The script is based on the novel “Korou no Chi” by Yuko Yuzuki and is set in 1988 in Hiroshima, prior to the enactment of the anti-organized crime law. Shuichi Hioka is the new guy in the East Kurehara precinct and is partnered up with Detective Shogo Ogami,...
- 11/15/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The Asian Film Awards Academy (Afa Academy) is a multifaceted institution that aims at developing regional film industries and markets in Asia, but also promotes Asian cinema globally, enhances visibility and influence, giving the international audiences an opportunity to see outstanding works by Asian talents that were nominated or awarded at the Asian Film Awards.
A flagship program of this initiative is “Asian Cinerama – Film Roadshows” created in partnership with film festivals all around the world. 12th Five Flavours Asian Film Festival continues to collaborate with Afa Academy, curating the section comprised of six major films from the Asian Film Awards and bringing them to the Polish audience in Warsaw.
At this year’s Five Flavours, Asian Cinerama invites several guests to present Asian Cinerama to the local cinephiles – Chan Tai-lee, the “Ip Man” series script writer, who comes to the festival with his directorial debut, “Tomorrow Is Another Day...
A flagship program of this initiative is “Asian Cinerama – Film Roadshows” created in partnership with film festivals all around the world. 12th Five Flavours Asian Film Festival continues to collaborate with Afa Academy, curating the section comprised of six major films from the Asian Film Awards and bringing them to the Polish audience in Warsaw.
At this year’s Five Flavours, Asian Cinerama invites several guests to present Asian Cinerama to the local cinephiles – Chan Tai-lee, the “Ip Man” series script writer, who comes to the festival with his directorial debut, “Tomorrow Is Another Day...
- 10/9/2018
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Japanese studio and distributor, Nikkatsu has acquired world sales rights for “Killing,” a period drama film by cult favorite Shinya Tsukamoto, company sources have confirmed.
The film, previously known as “Killing Zan,” has been selected to appear in competition at next month’s Venice festival. Tsukamoto has been invited to the festival four times before, most recently in 2014 for his WWII film “Fires on the Plain.”
As previously announced, the film stars Sosuke Ikematsu (“Shoplifters”) as a masterless samurai in mid-19th century Japan. Yu Aoi (“Birds Without Names”) co-stars as a peasant girl from the same farming village as the hero.
Tsukamoto serves as director, scriptwriter, cameraman and editor. Tsukamoto’s company Kaiju Theater produced the film. Shin Nippon Eigasha will release “Killing” in Japan on Nov. 24.
Tsukamoto is best known for his genre films, with his first “Tetsuo” in 1991. “Killing” is his first period piece. He has often...
The film, previously known as “Killing Zan,” has been selected to appear in competition at next month’s Venice festival. Tsukamoto has been invited to the festival four times before, most recently in 2014 for his WWII film “Fires on the Plain.”
As previously announced, the film stars Sosuke Ikematsu (“Shoplifters”) as a masterless samurai in mid-19th century Japan. Yu Aoi (“Birds Without Names”) co-stars as a peasant girl from the same farming village as the hero.
Tsukamoto serves as director, scriptwriter, cameraman and editor. Tsukamoto’s company Kaiju Theater produced the film. Shin Nippon Eigasha will release “Killing” in Japan on Nov. 24.
Tsukamoto is best known for his genre films, with his first “Tetsuo” in 1991. “Killing” is his first period piece. He has often...
- 7/25/2018
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
After dealing with the Roman Porno Reboot, doing the same with the Yakuza film was the reasonable path for Kazuya Shiraishi, whose career seems to be picking up during the last few years, with productions like “Twisted Justice”, “The Devil’s Path”, and “Birds Without Names”. Furthermore, his approach toward the Yakuza film, with a combination of Kinji Fukasaku’s aesthetics as dictated in the “Yakuza Papers” and the style of “Training Day”, seems to be the way for the genre to go from now on. Let us take things from the beginning though.
The Blood of the Wolves is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
The script is based on the novel “Korou no Chi” by Yuko Yuzuki and is set in 1988 in Hiroshima, prior to the enactment of the anti-organized crime law. Shuichi Hioka is the new guy in the East Kurehara precinct and is...
The Blood of the Wolves is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
The script is based on the novel “Korou no Chi” by Yuko Yuzuki and is set in 1988 in Hiroshima, prior to the enactment of the anti-organized crime law. Shuichi Hioka is the new guy in the East Kurehara precinct and is...
- 7/4/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The program of the 18th Japanese Film Festival Nippon Connection in Frankfurt am Main is complete! From May 29 to June 3, 2018 the audience can discover more than 100 new short and feature films at the biggest festival for Japanese film worldwide – from blockbusters and anime to independent and documentary films. Almost all of the films will be presented as German, European- international, or world premieres. A diverse supporting program provides about 50 exciting cultural activities apart from the cinema. Numerous Japanese filmmakers, musicians, and artists will be our guests at the festival. As the guest of honor, renowned actress Shinobu Terajima will receive the Nippon Honor Award 2018. The events will take place at the festival centers at Künstlerhaus Mousonturm and Theater Willy Praml in der Naxoshalle as well as four additional locations in Frankfurt am Main.
Nippon Cinema
Once more, many stars of the Japanese film scene will be expected to present...
Nippon Cinema
Once more, many stars of the Japanese film scene will be expected to present...
- 5/16/2018
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
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