 | 13/09/01 | | EQUINOX FLOWER (digitally restored ver.) has made its world premiere at Venice International Film Festival 2013. |
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| 13/05/23 | AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON in Cannes Classics 2013
Congratulations to Mr. Kore-eda and Mr. Jia Zhangke! Both award-winning directors gave an introduction to Yasujiro Ozu's "An Autumn Afternoon" in Cannes Classics.
Cannes 2013 Review: Los Angels Times |
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| 12/08/06 | | TOKYO STORY ranked No.3 for Critics' Sight & Sound Magazine poll and Top 10 and No.1 for Directors' Top 10 poll. |
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| 12/07/27 | | CARMEN COMES HOME (digitally restored ver.) directed by Keisuke Kinoshita has been selected for th 62nd Venice Film Festival classics section. |
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| 12/03/07 | | "REBIRTH" (Youkame no Semi) won a total of 10 awards at the 35th Japan Academy Prize Awards (on March 2, 2012) including, Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Supporting Actress awards. |
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| 11/08/29 | Chronicle of My Mother and Life Back Then win a prize at Montreal
Chronicle of My Mother directed by Masato Harada has won Special Grand Prix of the Jury and Life Back Then directed by Takahisa Zeze has won Innovation Award at the 35th Montreal World Film Festival.
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| 11/08/08 | Milocrorze wins Best Director at Fantaisa
"Milocrorze: A Love Story" has won "Best Director" (Yoshimasa Ishibashi) and three Audience Awards - the Silver Prize in the Best Asian Film Feature, the Gold Prize for Most Innovative Feature and the Silver Prize for Most Energetic Feature at the 15h Fantasia Festival!
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| 11/08/05 | LIFE BACK THEN and CHRONICLE OF MY MOTHER in competition at Montreal
Two films from Shochiku "LIFE BACK THEN" directed by Takahisa Zeze and "Chronicle of My Mother" directed by Masato Harada have been selected in World Competition section at the 35th World Film Festival Montreal (8/18-28).
"LIFE BACK THEN" is a new film from Takahisa Zeze whose previous film
"Heaven's Story" won International Film Critics Association Award (FIPRESCI)
and the NETPAC Award in Berlin International Film Festival 2011. The film dealswith life and death and the importance of human bonds. It is set to be released in Japan in November 2011.
Meanwhile, "CHRONICLE OF MY MOTHER" is a beautiful family drama starring
internationally acclaimed actor Kouji Yakusho (13 Assassins, Babel) based on
the aautobiographical Novel by Yasushi Inoue filled with love and humor, depicting
the "the happiness of life" and "reconciliation of the past." The film is scheduled
to be released in Japan in Spring 2012.
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| 11/04/15 | | ICHIMEI ("Hara-kiri: Death of a Samurai") by Takashi Miike in competition for this years Cannes. It is the first film we have in Cannes since 2000 for Oshima's "Gohatto", and although 3D live feature in competition is a first time challenge, we are looking forward to see how the film will be received. |
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| 10/08/20 | "Abacus And Sword" World Premiere at World Film Festival in Montreal!
"ABACUS AND SWORD" (formerly known as Samurai Book-Keeper") directed by Yoshimitsu Morita will have a World Premiere screening at the "HORS CONCOURS / WORLD GREATS" section at World Film Festival in Montreal. (Aug 26 - Sep 6).
Screening Shedule:
Aug 30 (Mon) 10:00 @ Quartier Latin Cinema Complex 12
Aug 31 (Tue) 21:30 @ Imperial Theatre
Sep 1 (Wed) 14:30 @ Quartier Latin Cinema Complex 12
Details and Trailer
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=744
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| 10/08/06 | RAIL TRUCK in First Films World Competition at the World Film Festival in Montreal
Hirofumi Kawaguchi's debut feature film "RAIL TRUCK" has been selected in First Film World Competition section at the World Film Festival in Montreal (Aug 26 - Sep 6).
The film also is enjoying it's huge success in Japan after its theatrical release in a top arthouse theater on May 22nd. It is in its 13th week, and still showing!
Details and Trailer
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=740
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| 10/07/30 | "MAI MAI MIRACLE" wins Best Animation Award at Fantasia Film Festival
MAI MAI MIRACLE" have received Best Animation Award at the 14th Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal!
http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/07/fantasia-awards-top-prizes-to-a-serbian-film-ip-man-2-summer-wars-and-symbol.php
The film has traveled to numbers of festivals including top Animation Film Festivals at Annecy, Ottawa (competition) , Brussels (Prize of the Public for Best Feature) , beloved Children's Film Fests in NY, London, Cine Junior (Young Jury's Prize) , Taiwan (Opening Film) , and prestige Int'l Film Festivals including Locarno, Pusan, Hawaii, Edinburgh and has received excellent audience reactions at every screenings.
Variety praises the film of having "high production level consistent with seminal (Hayao) Miyazaki opus."
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117942419.html?categoryid=31&cs;=1
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| 10/07/06 | SWEET LITTLE LIES tours Film Festivals
SWEET LITTLE LIES directed by Hitoshi Yazaki made its European premiere at The 45th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (July 2- 10) in Another View Section.
http://www.kviff.com/en/news/
The film is to be presented at the following Film Festivals;
The 8th Paris Cinema International Film Festival (Jul 3- 13)
Screening Schedule:
Jul 8 (Thu) 21:00 @ MK2 Bibliotheque - Q&A; with the director after the screening
Jul 9 (Fri) 16:00 @ MK2 Bibliotheque
http://www.pariscinema.org/uk/iff/iff.html
JAPAN CUTS in NY hosted by Japan Society (Jul 1- 16)
Screening Schedule:
Jul 16 (Fri) 20:30 @ Japan Society
http://www.japansociety.org/japancuts
Montreal World Film Festival (Aug 26 - Sep 6)
Screening Schedule:
To be announced shortly.
Synopsis and Trailer: http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=741
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| 10/06/29 | OZU retrospective in Brazil
The retrospective screenings of Yasujiro OZU will be held in Sao Paulo from Jun 30 to July 25 at CCBB (Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil) and in Rio de Janeiro from July 27 to Aug 22 at CCBB hosted by the Japan Foundation.
This will be the first time to have a full retrospective of the works by OZU in South America.
For more information about the screenings, please visit the following website;
>http://www.bb.com.br/portalbb/page511,128,10168,1,0,1,1.bb?codigoMenu=9904&codigoEvento;=3402&codigoRetranca;=181
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| 09/12/04 | [SHOCHIKU] KAMUI at Rotterdam and Dubai + Yoichi SAI films focused at Rotterdam
SHOCHIKU is happy to inform you that KAMUI, a truly exciting Ninja Action epic
, will have a major presentation at two festivals this winter.
[Mid-East premiere @ Dubai International Film Festival
]( 9 December - 16 December )
Presented at Cinema of AsiaAfrica section, with the presence of the director Yoichi SAI.
* Screening Schedule:
11 December (Friday) 19:00 - 21:00 @Moe12
14 December (Monday) 15:30 - 17:30 @Moe 9
* Please check the festival website for more information.
http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/en
We are also proud to inform you of the Retrospective of Yoichi SAI including
his latest film "KAMUI" to be held at the International Film Festival Rotterdam
( 27 January - 7 February 2010 ).
The Signals section focuses on specific themes and oeuvres of striking filmmakers or visual artists at the festival each year.
* Please check the festival website for more information.
http://www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com/professionals.aspx
http://www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com/professionals/the_festival/news-2010/signals--first-international-focus-on-sai-yoichi.aspx
* Shochiku handles three titles from the director, presented at the festival.
"KAMUI " (original title: Kamui Gaiden) / 120min / Ninja Action
website:http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=715
"QUILL" (original title: QUILL) / 100min / Drama
website:http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=354
"MARKS" (original title: Marks no Yama) / 138min / Suspense Thriller
website:http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=212
Should there be any titles of your interest, please let us know.
We would be happy to send out screeners and/or more information of the film.
We look forward to hearing from you, and collaborating with you on these wonderful titles. |
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| 09/11/30 | "DEPARTURES" win at Asia Pacific Screen Awards + related films
SHOCHIKU is happy to inform you that Masahiro Motoki has won the Best Performance by an Actor for his performance in the Oscar(R) winning "Departures" at ASIA PACIFIC SCREEN AWARDS.
The selection has been made from titles released this year, within all the Asia-Pacific region and around the world,
Kundo Koyama, the writer of DEPARTURES, was also nominated for Best Screenplay,
The first time screenwriter is awaiting for his second script, "Snow Prince" to be released in Japan, widely, on December 12th.
This is a beautiful heartwarming story of the pursuit of true happiness.
Please check the following website for details of the film.
website: http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=730
In addition, we would like to use this opportunity to introduce three exciting past titles directed by Yojiro Takita, the director of "Departures".
Please check below.
"Ashura " (original title: Ashura Jo no Hitomi) / 119min / samurai action
website:http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=459
"WHEN THE LAST SWORD IS DRAWN" (original title: Mibu Gishi Den) / 137min / samurai
website:http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=251
"WE ARE NOT ALONE" (original title: Bokura wa Minna Ikiteiru) / 115min / comedy - drama
website:http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=248
Should there be any titles of your interest, please let us know, and we would be happy to send out screeners and/or more information of the film. We look forward to hearing from you, and collaborate with you on these wonderful titles.
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| 09/11/24 | Nippon Modern 1930s + "The Other Yasujiro" Retrospective!
SHOCHIKU is happy to inform you that our rare classic titles will come back on screen at the 10th anniversary TOKYO FILMEX FILM FESTIVAL (Nov 21 - Nov 29)!
"NIPPON MODERN - 1930s" brings the modern and stylish films from the golden era of 1930s - when silent films turned to talkies, and the earlier years of the future masters including OZU, MIZOGUCHI, SHIMIZU, and GOSHO.
With a special focus on "Yasujiro" SHIMAZU, who's utterly charming films brings the "petit bourgeoisie" to life and laughter in the tough times, we are extremely excited to be able to bring three new 35mm prints with English subtitles (among them, two first time ever to be screened with subtitles).
We are also proud to announce the HD re-master of the first talkie film in Japan "THE NEIGHBOR'S WIFE AND MINE" to commemorate the centennial of the birth of renowned Japanese film actress Kinuyo TANAKA.
The details can be checked by going to the official website of Tokyo Filmex.
http://www.filmex.net/2009/special_p-1-e.htm
* The following Shimazu titles will be shown with NEW PRINTS
"The Lights Of Asakusa " (original title: Asakusa no Tomoshibi) / 77min
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=492
"The Trio's Engagements" (original title: Konyaku Sanbagarasu) / 66min
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=738
"So Goes My Love" (original title: Ai yori Ai e) / 57min
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=739
Should there be any titles of your interest, please let us know, and we would be happy to send out screeners and/or more information of the film.
We look forward to hearing from you, and collaborate with you on these wonderful titles.
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| 09/09/03 | KAMUI Toronto'09 Screening Schedule
Ninja action film "KAMUI" directed by Yoichi Sai will be presented as a World Premiere at Toronto International Film Festival in the Special Presentation Program.
"KAMUI" Screening Schedule
Sept 15th (Tue) 9:00am @ CUMBERLAND [press & industry]
Sept 16th (Wed) 21:15pm @ VARSITY 8 (Official World Premiere - public)
Sept 17th (Thu) 9:15am @ VARSITY 5 [press & industry]
Sept 17th (Thu) 12:45pm @ SCOTIBANK THEATRE 2 (public)
Sept 19th (Wed) 9:45am @ AMC 3 (public)
TIFF Official Website
http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/films/kamui
map :
http://tiff.net/mapslocations/default.aspx
SHOCHIKU Attendance in Toronto:
Satoko Ishida (ishida@shochiku.co.jp)
(Sept 15 & 16 in Toronto)
mobile: +81 90 8038 5276
*UNIJAPAN stand (AFIN desk) also available with information:
Sutton Place Hotel 1F, Ballrooms A/B/C Room Industry Office
Check out the trailer and the detailed information
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=715
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| 09/08/13 | MAI MAI MIRACLE in Competition at Ottawa Intl Animation Fest
MAI MAI MIRACLE has been selected for Competition at Ottawa International Animation Festival. (Top 4 animation festivals of the world.)
The film was chosen as one of 7 features out of 2185 entries from 78 different countries!!!
This will be a North American Premiere.
Ottawa InternationalAnimation Festival Official Website
>http://ottawa.awn.com/index.php?option=com_oiaf&task;=showselections&Itemid;=821
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| 09/02/23 | Departures wins Oscar Best Foreign Language Film!!!
Departures has won the 81st Academy Award Best Foreign Language Film.
http://www.oscar.com/oscarnight/winners/
The film has also dominated the 32nd Japanese Academy Award;
Best Picture
Best Director - Yojiro Takita
Best Actor - Masahiro Motoki
Best Supporting Actor - Tsutomu Yamazaki
Best Supporting Actress- Kimiko Yo
Best Editing - Akimasa Kawashima
Best Sound Recording - Satoshi Ozaki, Osamu Onodera
Best Cinematography - Takeshi Hamada
Best Lighting - Hitoshi Takaya
Best Screenplay - Kundo Koyama |
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| 09/01/23 | Departures nominated for Oscar Best Foreign Language Film
Yojiro Takita's "DEPARTURES" (original title: Okuribito) has been nominated for the Academy Award - Best Foreign Language Film!!!
The award ceremony will be taken place on the February 22nd.
Oscar Official Website:
http://www.oscar.com/
The film has also won the Best Japanese Picture and the Best Sound Mixing at Mainichi Film Awards!
Following is the list of Festival/Film Award which Departures has awarded/nominated up to date;
*Montreal International Film Festival -Grand Prix
*Golden Rooster Award (Chinese Academy Award) -
*28th annual Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival - Audience Award for Favorite Feature
*20th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival - Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature
*Asian Film Award - Best Actor (nominee)
*Nikkan Sports Film Award - Best Director / Best Film
*Hochi Film Award - Best Picture
*Japanese Academy Awards - 13 nominations (Best Picture / Best Director / Best Actor
Best Actress /Best Supporting Actor/Best Supporting Actress/Best Music
Best Cinematography/Best Lighting/Best Art Direction -Production Design/Best Sound Recording
Best Editing
*Kinema Jumpo Top 10 of Japanese Film- No.1film of the year / Best Director / Best Screenplay / Best Actor
*51st Blue Ribbon Awards -Best Actor
*Élan d'or Award - Best Picture / Best Producer
*Mainichi Film Awards - Best Japanese Picture / Best Sound Mixing
Details and Trailer:
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=703
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| 09/01/19 | "DEPARTURES" wins Audience Award at Palm Springs Film Festival
Yojiro Takita's "DEPARTURES" (original title: Okuribito) has won Marcedes-Benz
Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at The 20th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Festival website;
http://www.psfilmfest.org/news/detail.aspx?NID=195&year;=2009
People started to line-up before 9AM for the 10:30AM screening and more than 75 people were turned away as the theater filled to its capacity.
"DEPARTURES" is now on the shortlist for Oscar Foreign Language Film and the finalist will be
announced on the January 22nd.
The film is also nominated for 13 categories including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for the Japanese Academy Awards.
Details and Trailer:
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=703 |
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| 09/01/15 | "Departures"makes Oscar Foreing-Language shortlist!
Yojiro Takita's "DEPARTURES" (original title: Okuribito) has been selected
as one of the nine semifinalist for the Academy Award - Best Foreign Language Film.
The film is recorded over US$30M Box-office to date in Japan and has been dominating Japanese
Film awards in addition to the Grand Prix at Montreal International Film Festival, Golden Rooster Award (Chinese Academy Award) and Audience Award for Favorite Feature at the 28th annual Louis Vuitton Hawaii
International Film Festival;
*Nikkan Sports Film Award - Best Director / Best Film
*Hochi Film Award - Best Picture
*Japanese Academy Awards - 13 nominations (Best Picture / Best Director / Best Actor
Best Actress /Best Supporting Actor/Best Supporting Actress/Best Music
Best Cinematography/Best Lighting/Best Art Direction -Production Design/Best Sound Recording
Best Editing
*Kinema Jumpo Top 10 of Japanese Film- No.1film of the year / Best Director / Best Screenplay / Best Actor
*51st Blue Ribbon Awards -Best Actor
*Élan d'or Award - Best Picture / Best Producer
Details and Trailer:
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=707
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| 08/10/30 | "DEPARTURES" Wins Audience Award at Hawaii International Film Festival
Yojiro Takita's "DEPARTURES" has won the Audience Award for Favorite Feature at the 28th annual Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival.
Festival website;
http://www.hiff.org/
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| 08/10/01 | Sitges 2008 Screening Schedule
ICHI
Oct 2 (Thu) 14:00 @ El Retiro
Oct 3 (Fri) 15:30 @ El Retiro
MONSTER X STRIKES BACK: ATTACK ON THE G8 SUMMIT
Oct 4 (Sat) 10:00 @ El Retiro
Oct 4 (Sat) 16:00 @ El Retiro
For more information, please visit Festival's website;
http://www.cinemasitges.com/uk/index.php
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| 08/09/12 | DEPARTURES representing Japan for OSCARS
Yojiro Takita's "DEPARTURES" (original title: Okuribito) has been selected as the Japanese contender for the Academy Award nomination for the Best Foreign Language Film.
"DEPARTURES" is an emotionally moving drama about a young man who finds "life" through the "deaths" that he encounters. The film has just won the Grand Prix des Amerique at the 32nd Montreal World Film Festival.
The film follows Daigo Kobayashi (played by Masahiro Motoki), who was a cellist in an orchestra which had just been dissolved, and is suddenly thrown out onto the streets without a job and hope for life. Daigo decides to move back to his old hometown with his wife. However, his life is revived when he starts working as an "encoffineer." He cleans up the dead body, places them into the coffin, and sends the departed off to the next world in the best way possible... he is the gatekeeper between life and death. The job is despised by his wife and the people around him, but through the "Deaths" that he encounters, he finally starts to find what "Life" is all about.
The film has also been extremely well received by film critics in Japan, with many commenting as the "best film of the year". The process of "preparing for departure" and "sending off the departed" which everyone must face sooner or later, is shown with positive emotion and respect towards death in this film, leaving the audience with an uplifting feeling towards life.
>comments from critics and audience in Japan and those attending the Montreal World Film Festival
-- "It was astonishing for me to discover that Japanese culture includes this elaborate ritual...that goes beyond religion into the culture itself, and ultimately beyond culture to touch our most basic, universal issues as social beings painfully aware of our mortality and the finiteness of human relationships.
--'Okuribito (Departures)' ranks as one of the best films I've ever seen, and also did what movies do best, opening a world of specific human experience and emotion that flows between the characters and the audience, enlarging life itself."
-- "Everyone who is living in this world needs a film like this. Eventually, everyone dies... but we hope to be sent off like this."
-- "Hello - Long time no see - Good bye - See you again --- this film reminds us the importance of these words in everyday lives... I am very happy discover such a film."
The film will also be presented at the 13th Pusan International Film Festival (Window of Asian Cinema) and at the Golden Rooster Award (Chinese Academy Award). It will open in Japan on September 13th, 2008.
Details and Trailer
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=703
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| 08/09/10 | SHOCHIKU Retrospective / Japan in Black + In the Realm of Oshima
Two very exciting Retrospectives coming this fall.
38th SAN SEBASTIAN FILM FESTIVAL (September 17- 27) will have a "Thematic retrospective - JAPAN IN BLACK"which includes 8 Shochiku Film Noir titles, including films from the less known edgy side of Ozu, the master of
thrilling mysteries Yoshitaro Nomura, Oshima & Shinoda from Shochiku Nouvelle Vague, the early Takeshi Kitano, and more.
SAN SEBASTIAN Screening Schedule
DRAGNET GIRL Directed by Yasujiro OZU / 1933 / B&W;
Sep 25 (Thu) 19:30 @ Principe, 2
Sep 27 (Sat) 17:00 @ Principe, 2
STAKE OUTDirected by Yoshitaro NOMURA / 1958 / B&W;
Sep 18 (Thu) 19:30 @ Principe, 10
Sep 19 (Fri) 22:00 @ Antiguo Berri, 7
THE SUN'S BURIAL Directed by Nagisa OSHIMA / 1960 / Color
Sep 19 (Fri) 16:30 @ Principe, 6
Sep 20 (Sat) 19:30 @ Antiguo Berri, 7
ZERO FOCUS Directed by Yoshitaro NOMURA / 1961 / B&W;
Sep 21 (Sun) 16:30 @ Principe, 3
Sep 22 (Mon) 17:00 @ Antiguo Berri, 7
PALE FLOWER Directed by Masahiro SHINODA / 1964 / B&W;
Sep 21 (Sun) 17:15 @ Principe, 10
Sep 23 (Tue) 19:30 @ Antiguo Berri, 8
I, THE EXECUTIONER Directed by Tai KATO / 1968 / B&W;
Sep 23 (Tue) 19:30 @ Principe, 10
Sep 25 (Thu) 17:00 @ Antiguo Berri, 5
VIOLENT COP Directed by Takeshi KITANO / 1989 / Color
Sep 19 (Fri) 16:00 @ Principe, 3
Sep 25 (Thu) 22:30 @ Antiguo Berri, 8
GONIN Directed by Takashi ISHII / 1995 / Color
Sep 26 (Fri) 22:45 @ Principe, 3
Sep 27 (Sat) 17:00 @ Antiguo Berri, 7
The 46th NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL which runs September 26 - October 13 will be a kick-off to the special retrospective
screening of Nagisa OSHIMA collection, "In the Realm of Oshima."
The Oshima retrospective screening will tour Walker Art Center (Minneapolis, Minn.), Pacific Cinematheque (Vancouver, B.C.),
Harvard Film Archive (Cambridge, Mass.), Northwest Film Center (Seattle), Pacific Film Archive (Berkeley, Calif.),
the National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), George Eastman House (Rochester, N.Y.) among others.
NEW YORK LINEUP
STREET OF LOVE AND HOPE 1959 / 63min
NAKED YOUTH 1960 / 92min
THE SUN'S BURIAL 1960 / 87min
NIGHT AND FOG IN JAPAN 1960 / 107min
PLEASURES OF THE FLESH 1965 / 87min
VIOLENCE AT HIGH NOON 1966 / 99min
SING A SONG OF SEX 103min
NIGHT OF THE KILLER 1967/ 98min
SINNER IN PARADISE 1968 / 80min
GOHATTO 1999 / 100min |
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| 08/09/08 | LA SHOCHIKU CINEMA-Histoire des grands studios japonais
Special screenings "LA SHOCHIKU CINEMA - Histoire des grands studios japonais"
(Shochiku Films - History of Japanese major studio) will take place at Maison de la culture du Japan a Paris, hosted
by Japan Foundation from September 9th until October 4th.
To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Japan-France relations and the 40th Anniversary of the Tora-san series directed by Yoji Yamada (48 episodes / from 1969 to 1995), the following 23 remarkable films in the history of Shochiku studios will be screened.
TOKYO CHORUS directed by Yasujiro OZU (1931)
OUR NEIGHBOR MISS YAE directed by Yasujiro SHIMAZU (1934)
A TRAP CELLAR directed by Teinosuke KINUGASA (1935)
WOMAN OF THE MIST directed by Heinosuke GOSHO (1936)
FORGET LOVE FOR NOW directed by Hiroshi SHIMIZU (1937)
DANRYU directed by Kozaburo YOSHIMURA (1939)
THE STORY OF THE LAST CHRYSANTHEMU directed by Kenij MIZOGUCHI (1939)
THERE WAS A FATHER directed by Yasujiro OZU (1942)
ALWAYS IN MY HEART directed by Hideo OBA (1953-54)
TWENTY-FOUR EYES directed by Keisuke KINOSHITA (1954)
BLACK RIVER directed by Masaki KOBAYASHI (1957)
THE DAYS OF EVIL WOMEN directed by Minoru SHIBUYA (1958)
BLOODY THIRST directed by Kiju YOSHIDA (1960)
NAKED YOUTH directed by Nagisa OSHIMA (1960)
TWIN SISTERS OF KYOTO directed by Noboru NAKAMURA (1963)
YOUTH IN FURY directed by Masahiro SHINODA (1964)
FIVE WOLVES directed by Kenji MISUMI (1974)
THE CASTLE OF SAND directed by Yoshitaro NOMURA (1974)
FACE directed by Junji SAKAMOTO (2000)
THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI directed by Yoji YAMADA (2003)
Tora-san Series directed by Yoji Yamada
TORA-SAN OUR LOVABLE TRAMP (1969)
TORA-SAN'S RUNAWAY (1970)
TORA=SAN'S FORGET ME NOT (1973)
For more information and screening Schedule, please visit Maison de la culture du Japan a Paris website
http://www.mcjp.asso.fr/cadrgen.html
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| 08/07/31 | MONSTER X attacks Venice 2008
"MONSTER X STRIKES BACK ATTACK THE G8 Summit!" directed by Minoru Kawasaki has been selected for Out of Competition at the 65th Venice International Film Film Festival 2008.
This will be the International Premiere.
Details;
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=702
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| 08/07/29 | KITARO Tribute screening at Locarno
"KITARO and the Millennium Curse" will have it's international premiere in the "KITARO TRIBUTE" presentation at the 61st edition of Locarno International Film Festival 2008.
"KITARO" the original film which was released in 2007 will also be screened.
At this time, we are also pleased to inform you that "KITARO and the Millennium Curse" was released in Japan on Saturday July 12 with a huge success. The film earned US$2.5M in the first 2days, and has cumed $7.5M to date. The film will have the first run in Japan until the end of August 2008 in over 300 screens.
Locarno Website;
http://www.pardo.ch/jahia/Jahia/home/cache/offonce/lang/en/pid/564?cnid=2833
Details;
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=701
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| 08/06/30 | CHILDREN OF THE DARK selected for Karlovy Vary-Horizon
CHILDREN OF THE DARK has been selected for
the Horizon Section at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2008.
This will be the World Premiere.
The director Junji Sakamoto is expected to attend the Festival.
http://www.kviff.com/en/
Screening Schedule;
July 9 (Wed) 13:30 @ Kinosál C / Press & Industry screening
July 10 (Thu) 19:00 @ Cinema GH Pupp / Official screening (Special Guest: Junji Sakamoto-director)
July 12 (Sat) 13:30 @ Richmond Cinema / Official screening
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| 08/06/05 | THE TASTE OF FISH selected for Shanghai Compeition
"THE TASTE OF FISH" directed by Shingo Matsubara has been selected
for Shanghai International Film Festival 2008 Competition.
The director Shingo Matsubara and the main actor Takao Osawa are expected to
attend the Festival.
http://www.siff.com/Articleen/
Screening Schedule;
June 15 (Sun) 10:00 @ Shanghai Film Art Center, Hall 1
Press Conference
June 15 (Sun) 12:30-13:00 @ Multi-function Hall, 5F, Shanghai Film Art Center
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| 08/05/19 | A Country Doctor won Grand Prémio at MONSTRA Lisbon
Animation Film Festival
FRANZ KAFKA'S A COUNTRY DOCTOR directed by Koji Yamamura won Grand Prémio Monstra 2008 / RTP2 at the 7th Lisbon Animation Film Festival MONSTRA 2008.
A Child's Metaphysic has also won Prémio ONDA CURTA at the festival.
Festival HP:http://www.monstrafestival.com/
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| 08/05/13 | Franz Kafka's A Country Doctor won Best Short Film at ANIFEST
FRANZ KAFKA'S A COUNTRY DOCTOR directed by Koji Yamamura won the Best Short Film at the 7th Internationales Festival of Animated Films in Trebom, Czech (ANIFEST).
Festival HP:http://www.anifest.cz/?ItemID=12083⟪=en&_cache=no |
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| 08/05/07 | Franz Kafka's A Country Doctor won Grand Prix at Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film Festival.
FRANZ KAFKA'S A COUNTRY DOCTOR directed by Koji Yamamura won Grad Prix for State of Baden-Wuerttemberg and City of Stuttgart Grand Award for Animated Film at the 15th Internationales Trickfilm Festival/Festival of Animated Film Stuttgart.
Festival HP:http://www.itfs.de/ |
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| 08/04/21 | VEXILLE won the Jury Award for Best Animated Feature at the Philadelphia Film Festival.
VEXILLE won the Jury Award for Best Animated Feature at the Philadelphia Film Festival.
Festival HP: http://www.phillyfests.com/pff/home.cfm |
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| 08/02/26 | TOKYO TOWER dominates Japan Academy Prize 2008
Tokyo Tower - Mom & Me, and sometimes Dad won 5 prizes "Picture of the Year","Director of the Year", "Screenplay of the Year", "Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role" and "Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role"at the 31st Japan Academy Prize.
Winners are;
Picture of the Year
Tokyo Tower - Mom & Me, and sometimes Dad -
Director of the Year
Joji Matsuoka
Screenplay of the Year
Suzuki Matsuo
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Kikikilin
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Kaoru Kobayashi
Official Site;
http://www.japan-academy-prize.jp/sokuhou.html |
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| 08/02/21 | KABEI to open Hong Kong International Film Festival
KABEI - Our Mother directed by Yoji Yamada has been selected
as the 32nd Hong Kong International Film Festival (March17-April 6) Opening Film.
The director Yoji Yamada and the main actor Tadanobu Asano are expected to
attend the opening ceremony on March 18.
http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=520
Screening Schedule;
Date:18-Mar-2008
Time: 5:45 PM
Venue: HK Convenetion & Exhibition Centre Lecture Hall 1
Date: 24-Mar-2008
Time: 3:00 PM
Venue: HK Cultural Centre Grand Theatre
In addition, Yoji Yamada is to receive the Lifetime Achivement Award
at the Asian Film Award which will take place on March 17.
http://www.asianfilmawards.org/
To celebrate Yoji Yamada's achievements, "Tora-san's Sunrise and Sunset" will also be screened on March 19th.
Date: 19-Mar-2008
Time: 7:15 PM
Venue: UA Times Square
http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=680
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| 08/02/13 | THE LEGACY OF AKIRA KUROSAWA
The symposium on THE LEGACY OF AKIRA KUROSAWA in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Akira Kurosawa's death will be taken place at Home Base Berlin on February 15th hosted by German Film Academy.
The details are as follows;
Date: Feb 15, 2008 (Friday) 13:00 – 14:30
Guests:Yoji Yamada (director)
Teruyo Nogami (formerly worked as a Manager at Kurosawa Production) *with English translation
Moderator: Jan Schütte (director, visiting Professor at Harvard University)
Place:Home Base Berlin (Ground Floor)
Kŭthener Straß 44, D-10963 Berlin
Tel: +49 30 2579 38 56 / +49 30 25 79 38 57 Fax:+49 30 25 79 38 93
Contacts:
Shochiku Booth at EFM:
Martin-Gropius-Bau Stand# 125
Kiwamu SATO (cell) +81 90 8038 5276
Satoko ISHIDA (cell) +49 160 9051 11 38
Chiyo MORI (cell) +49 151 1464 14 69
Email:ibd@shochiku.co.jp
Press attache for KABEI:
Wolfgang W. Werner Public Relations
Berlin contact:
Christiane Leithardt +49 (0)179 104 80 64
Wolfgang W. Werner +49 (0)170 333 93 53
e-mail : info@werner-pr.de |
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| 08/02/04 | KABEI kicks off with big boxoffice success
KABEI was released on Saturday, January 26th in Japan with big success.
The box office shows a strong weekday performance, continuing the success following Monday which recoded 110% increase compared to the opening day.
It is projected for the final gross of $30M.
KABEI is now showing on 326 screens in Japan, and will have an international premiere in 58th Berlin Film Festival on Feb 13th, 2008. |
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| 08/01/18 | KITARO comes back on Screen
KITARO, a smash hit of 2007 reaching US$25million, is reborn as an action fantasy for not only kids, but for older audience, with a subplot of "forbidden love" between a human and yokai - monsters as an axis of the film. A half human, half yokai hero Kitaro and his buddies, performed by returning cast members, investigate a series of mysterious disappearance and finds out that it is somehow related with the "forbidden love" tragedy 1,000 years ago. Behind these incidents, there was conspiracy by the evil yokai and his followings. As Kitaro fights against these enemies, he goes through an internal conflict over his identity. Will Kitaro be able to shutter the vicious cycle and bring love and peace to the world?
Details;
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=700
Shochiku lines up sequel to Gegege No Kitaro
Jason Gray in Tokyo
07 Jan 2008 17:21
Screen International
Japan's Shochiku Studios is producing a sequel to its biggest hit of 2007, action fantasy Gegege No Kitaro.
Director Katsuhide Motoki will again direct and singing idol-turned-actor Eiji Wentz will reprise his role as Kitaro, a half-human half-yokai (creatures and supernatural beings).
He is joined by returning cast members Rena Tanaka, Yo Oizumi, Kanpei Hazama and Shigeru Muroi. Mao Inoue, the first film's female lead, will not be returning.
The sequel will aim to expand its demographic to include an older audience, with a subplot of forbidden love between a human and yokai, played by new cast members Masato Hagiwara and Shinobu Terashima respectively. Veteran actor Ken Ogata (A Long Walk) will play Kitaro's nemesis.
Shochiku released the first film at the beginning of the key Golden Week holiday period on April 28. Opening on 339 screens, it reached the standard $9.15m (Y1bn) mark of a box office hit faster than any previous release in the studio's history and stayed in the top ten for seven weeks grossing $21m (Y2.3bn).
Gegege No Kitaro became Shochiku's biggest hit in a difficult year for the studio, with big-budget releases such as Midnight Eagle, Vexille and Genghis Khan underperforming at the box office. Smaller films such as Tokyo Tower: Mom And Me And Sometimes Dad ($16.14m) and Dai Nipponjin ($10.17m) helped pick up the slack. The studio has recently steered clear of releasing Hollywood films.
The film marked the first collaboration between Shochiku and Hong Kong-based special effects house Centro Digital Pictures (Kill Bill 1&2, Shaolin Soccer), which handled rendering of the film's major action scenes, leading a consortium of over thirty CG companies.
Gegege No Kitaro is based on Shigeru Mizuki's famous character, created in 1954 and popularised in the Gegege no Kitaro manga series and animated TV shows produced from the 60s to the present.
The film went into production late last year and is set for a summer release.
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| 08/01/17 | "KUNG FU KID" in Berlinale 2008 Generation K Plus
KUNG FU KID has been selected for Generation - the Berlinale Section
for Children and Youth. This will be the International Premiere.
Screening Shedule;
Feb 9 (Sat) 13:20 @ CineStar 4 (Market Premiere)
Feb 12 (Tue) 17:45 @ CineStar 4 (Market Screening)
Feb 13(Wed) 15:30 @ Zoo Palast 1 (Gala Screening)
Feb 14(Thu) 16:00 @ CinemaxX 3 (Festival Screening)
Feb 15(Fri) 09:00 @ CinemaxX 3 (Festival Screening)
Feb 17(Sun)15:30 @ Cubix 8 (Festival Screening)
* All screenings with English subtitles.
Details; http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=694 |
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| 08/01/10 | "KABEI - Our Mother" selected for Berlinale Competition 2008.
Following his Samurai trilogy, "The Twilight Samurai" (Berlin 2002 Competition, Nominated for Academy Award 2002 - Best Foreign Language Film), "The Hidden Blade" (Berlin Competition 2004), and "LOVE AND HONOR" (Berlin 2007 Panorama Opening) , the latest film of Yoji YAMADA , "KABEI - Our Mother" has been selected for the Berlinale Competition 2008.
This will be the International Premiere.
The director Yoji YAMADA, the leading actress Sayuri YOSHINAGA, the actor Tadanobu ASANO and the original author Teruyo NOGAMI (notable film crew on
Akira KUROSAWA films) are expected to attend the Festival.
For more details, please visit the following website;
http://www.shochikufilms.com/film/detail.php?product_code=682
Berlin Film Festival Official Website;
http://www.berlinale.de/en/HomePage.html
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| 07/09/11 | "Franz Kafka's A COUNTRY DOCTOR" at NYFF
Scheduling information for "Franz Kafka's A COUNTRY DOCTOR" in the 45th New York Film Festival has been confirmed!
Link: New York Film Festival
Press & Industry Screening:
Oct 12(Fri) 2:00pm @ Walter Reade Theater (165 W. 65th Street, plaza level, between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave.)
*Together with Jia Zhangke's "Useless."
Official Screening:
Oct 13(Sat) 3:45pm @ Rose Theater (at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street)
*Together with Jia Zhangke's "Useless"
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| 07/08/17 | "VEXILLE" screening schedule in the TIFF.
Scheduling information for "VEXILLE" in the Toronto International Film Festival has been confirmed!
Link: Toront International Film Festival
For Public
07/09/09 11:59 PM @ RYERSON
07/09/11 12:00 PM @ SCOTIABANK THEATRE 14
07/09/15 06:45 PM @ VARSITY 1
07/09/15 11:30 PM @ VARSITY 6
For Press & Industry
07/09/08 12:00 PM @ VARSITY 1
07/09/12 09:30 PM @ VARSITY VIP 2 |
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| 07/06/25 | "LOVE AND HONOR" at the 10th SIFF!!
"LOVE AND HONOR" received "Best Music" at the 10th Shanghai International Film Festival!!
Best Music: Isao Tomita LOVE AND HONOR (Japan)
Word by Jury: The music of this film is the soul of the film hiding behind film characters.
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| 07/06/09 | "QUILL" won the Audience Award for Best Feature Film!!
"QUILL" won the Audience Award for Best Feature Film in the Children's Program at Newport International Film Festival!
Link: Newport International Film Festival |
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| 07/03/19 | Shochiku picks up worldwide rights to Vexille
Jean Noh in Seoul
Screen International
Leading Japanese entertainment company Shochiku announced today that it has acquired worldwide rights to the CG animated feature Vexille.
The $10m sci-fi film is directed by Fumihiko Sori, who previously worked on hit CG-animations Ping Pong as director and Appleseed as producer, from a script written by Appleseed writer Haruka Handa.
The latter animation was released theatrically in more than 30 countries, sold over 150,000 DVD units in Japan, and over 300,000 units in the US.
Vexille is set in the future when the United Nations has banned robot and biotechnology research in order to protect humankind. Japan has isolated itself with a sophisticated ultra-magnetic field which prevents anyone from seeing what is going on inside - or travelling in and out of - the country. The US sends in a special force unit called SWORD, led by a female commander called Vexille, to infiltrate the country and find out which banned technologies they are developing.
Main characters will be voiced by Meisa Kuroki (Who's Camus Anyway?, One Last Call: Final), Yasuko Matsuyuki (Hula Girls) and Shosuke Tanihara (Fudoh: The New Generation).
With a spring 2007 wrap date, Shochiku says the film will see a wide release in late summer 2007. |
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| 07/02/14 | Shochiku sells over 50 territories on Genghis Khan at EFM
Jean Noh in Berlin
Screen International
Shochiku has sold epic drama Genghis Khan. To The Ends of the Earth and Sea to over 50 countries at EFM including a multi-territory sale for Germany, Austria and Benelux to Splendid Film. The $30m Japan-Mongolian co-production, directed by Shinichiro Sawai (W's Tragedy), commemorates the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Mongol Empire. The film shot for four months on location in Mongolia with battle scenes featuring more than 33,000 soldiers and extras. Set for release in Japan on March 3, the film has Asian sales handled by Avex Entertainment. Other Shochiku sales of Genghis Khan include Central Partnership for 12 countries in the CIS, Paris Filmes for Brazil, Spentzos Film for Greece, Fivia for 13 countries in Eastern Europe, Italia Film for 15 in the Middle and Near East, Hunter TMC Film for Turkey. The company is also selling two samurai dramas, Love and Honor. the third in the Samurai Trilogy by Yoji Yamada, starring Takuya Kimura; and Hana, by Hirokazu Kore-eda (Nobody Knows). |
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| 06/10/27 | New Web Page!!!
Shochiku has renewed it's web page. Now with more information and more news!!!
Better than Ever!!! |
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| 06/09/20 | "HANA" Toronto International Film Festival review from Screen International
Hana
Screen International
by Dan Fainaru in Toronto 10 September 2006
Rambling, overlong and at times even messy, Hana is nevertheless a delightful surprise from well known Japanese director Hirokazu Kor-Eda. Always identified in the past with slow, reflective, sad pieces such as Maborosi and philosophical reflections on human existence like Afterlife - not to mention the heartbreaking Nobody Knows, one of the most moving and desperate films of recent times - Kore-Eda here comes up with a gentle, chiding, humanistic samurai picture; though the description may be a contradiction in terms, this is exactly the secret of its charm.
Nicely shot and spiritedly acted by a large ensemble, featuring among others, such well known Nippon stars as Junichi Okada and Tadanobu Asano, Hana is ideal festival fodder after its Toronto premiere • it also travels to San Sebastian among others - and solid arthouse fare.
Embroidering his ensemble piece around one of the best known legends of honour and revenge in Japanese tradition, The 47 Ronin, Kore-Eda goes out on a limb, trying something he has never done before: a historical costume romp set in the early 18th century, an era of relative tranquility in Japan. All of the interwoven plots are placed in a shantytown not unlike Akira Kurosawa's in Dodeskaden or de Sica's in Miracle In Milan and Kore-Eda's lead is a samurai, hopeless with a sword but great at running away from danger.
He is surrounded by a gallery of colorful characters, and though the stories have their dramatic, sad moments, the prevalent mood, at all times, is light. This does not mean Kore-Eda is any less earnest, and his perceptions any less refined, than they were in his earlier films. Though it is certainly not an actual metaphor of the world today, Hana condemns the concept of hate transmitted by inheritance, in whatever shape and form, and goes a long way to ensure the audience does not miss his anti-violence messages.
After his father's murder, Soza (Junichi Okada) is dispatched by his family to go to Edo (the ancient name for Tokyo), find the culprit and avenge the death. Soza, however, who knows everything about the codes and obligations of the samurai - but lacks any practice whatsoever in the art of war - pretends to ignore his paradoxical position. Instead he dreamily announces, that in case he is defeated by his enemy, he will nobly take his own life, the fitting gesture recommended by the samurai code in such circumstances.
In the meantime, he has lodged for the last three years, at the expense of his family, in a ramshackle hut in the city's poorest slum, teaching the children to read and write, with a few adults joining in the lessons once in a while. It is there that he finally finds the person who killed his father, now a humble porter (Tadanobu Asano) living with a widow and her child.
In the midst of all this misery - the landlord who is rarely paid is threatening to tear the whole place down - Kore-Eda puts together an assembly of penniless destitutes with a tremendous drive for life, a richly human congregation which recalls another one of Kurosawa's classics, The Lower Depths. They may have nothing of their own, not even privacy, but no one can take away their dreams, or as Kore-Eda's script puts it here, "to turn shit into rice cakes".
Among them there is Sada (Arata Furuda), a friend who eats and drinks on Soza's expense and keeps promising to produce his father's murderer but never does; Osae (Rie Miyazawa) a married woman waiting for her husband's return in the company of her son; and Sode (Ryo Kase), a tough guy who doesn't believe in war codes but has no problems with war as such.
In addition, in the background, some of the revenge-seeking 47 samurai are hiding in the same dilapidated tenement, biding their time until the right moment comes to punish the man who caused their master's death.
While Soza is always kept in the forefront, and his personal moral conflicts often directly affect the lives of the others, Kore-Eda remains close to the ensemble nature of his script, allowing the rest of the characters to fully develop on their own.
Junichi Okada has just the type of innocent look in his eyes that Soza should have, while Rie Miyazawa's features have the clean purity revered in Japanese beauty. Meanwhile Asano's forceful presence lends weight to a role that otherwise is mostly silent, and Furuta plays the hero's resourceful best friend with a relish. Among the supporting parts, Susumu Terajima's hesitant samurai proves touching. The children - and there are quite a few of them in the film - steal the show every time they come on.
Admirable production design (Toshihiro Isomi worked with Kore-Eda on Afterlife) provided a location that could exist 300 years ago, yet has the strangely familiar shape of similar contemporary poverty stricken areas, whether in South East Asia, Africa or Latin America, lending the film a strangely updated tone that the script itself never tries to enforce.
Alert camera keeps moving around, usually registering reactions before noticing the actions themselves, and if there is a problem with the editing, it may be because Kore-Eda the editor has indulged too much Kore-Eda the director, whom he should have treated with just a little bit less consideration. |
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| 06/09/20 | Shochiku Announces the next Yoji Yamada film
Following the enormous success of the samurai trilogy that included 2004 Academy Award nominated film "The Twilight Samurai," "The Hidden Blade" and most recently "Bushi No Ichibun" (original title), Shochiku will produce and distribute legendary director Yoji Yamada's next film – a period drama titled "Kabei" (Japanese working title).
Principal photography for "Kabei" (Japanese working title) is slated to begin on January 20th, 2007 (tentative schedule) in Japan and Shochiku is planning a 2008 release for the film.
Acclaimed, award winning actress Sayuri Yoshinaga has signed on to star in the film, which will be her 112th film and the first time working with Yamada in over 32 years. The only two previous films she has done with Yamada are "Tora-san's Dear Old Home" and "Tora-san's Lovesick."
The film is based on the nonfiction novel "Chichi eno requiem" (original title) written by Teruyo Nogami, "Kabei" (Japanese working title), which takes place in Tokyo in 1940 and involves a mother's struggles through a dark time.
After reading the original novel and feeling great sympathy for the circumstances, Yamada decided to make "Kabei" (Japanese working title). Commenting on the film, Yamada said, "You can say this film is a half of a period drama, but in a sense, this is more difficult than a period film as a historical investigation. Therefore, the staff has been studying so hard."
Yamada continued, "I would like to make this film with homage to all of the tender mothers who held her family in her arms and lived through hard time like a raging roller storm."
Commented Matsumoto, "Our long standing relationship with Yoji Yamada continues to be extremely rewarding and we're very excited to further our relationship with this next film. We believe `Kabei' (Japanese working title) will be another masterpiece from a true legend."
Sayuri commented, "By any means, I wanted to get a role in this film. It is like a dream for me. I will do my best to play "mother" deeply - a woman who lived in a dark period with all her might."
Yoji Yamada first joined Shochiku as an assistant director and later launched the popular "Tora-san" series, the world's longest running theatrical film franchise. Over the years he has directed many successful films including "Where Spring Comes Late (Kazoku)," "Home from the Sea (Kokyo)," "The Village (Harakara)" and "The Yellow Handkerchief (Shiawase no Kiiroi Hankachi)" which won praise inside and outside Japan. "A Distant Cry from Spring (Harukanaru Yama no Yobigoe)," "Final Take (Kinema no Tenchi)" commemorating the golden anniversary of Shochiku's Ofuna Studios, "Hope and Pain (Downtown Heroes)" and "My Sons (Musuko)" are also a sample of his popular titles. Yamada has also won innumerable awards for his excellent films from governmental bodies and at film festivals around the world. |
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| 06/08/17 | Contest winner cast in Shochiku franchise
Jason Gray in Tokyo 27 July 2006
Screen International
In a break from the usual talent agency system of Japanese movie casting, an unknown 20-year-old actress has won a role in the 17th installment of Shochiku's long-running Free & Easy comedy series.
Kyoto college student Hana Ebise was selected from more than 10,000 entrants in Shochiku's nationwide star Gate open audition contest, which ran from last summer to winter as part of the conglomerate's 110th anniversary celebration. Ebise won a cash prize and the chance to make her film debut in a Shochiku production.
The Free & Easy series, which started in 1988 with a new installment almost every year, follows the humorous exploits of star Toshiyuki Nishida as he navigates workplace, family and his crazed love of fishing.
The franchise, which also spawned an animated series, has grossed over $138m (Y16bn) so far and is currently the longest running live-action series in Japan.
Legendary director Yoji Yamada (The Twilight Samurai, Tora-san) has served as a screenwriter on all of the films in the series. A special edition released in 1998 saw the characters transported back to samurai times.
Free & Easy 17 is released August 5 across Japan. |
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| 06/08/10 | "HANA" selected for Toronto International Film Festival Special Presentation Program
"HANA" which is latest film from Kore-Eda Hirokazu who directed internationally acclaimed "Nobody Knows".
The story follows a young samurai, fated to avenge his father's death. Will he choose vengeance and honor, or will he choose life?
Toronto will be the international premiere for "HANA". |
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| 06/08/10 | Shochiku Active in Film Festivals
Shochiku is proud to announce recent activities in international film festivals selections. The following is the complete Shochiku film list for the upcoming film festivals such as Montreal World Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and Ottawa International Animation Festival.
Montreal World Film Festival (Aug 24-Sept 9)
MIDNIGHT SUN (First Films Competition)
Directed by Norihiro Koizumi
SEA WITHOUT EXIT (Focus on World Cinema)
Directed by Kiyoshi Sasabe
Kiyoshi Atsumi Retrospective (In memory of 10 years since Kiyoshi Atsumi passed away)
Tora-san, Our Lovable Tramp(1969)
Tora-san Meets the Songstress Again(1975)
Tora-san's Sunrise and Sunset(1976)
Tora-san Goes Religious?(1983)
Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 7-16)
HANA (Special Presentation Program)
Directed by Kore-Eda Hirokazu
BIG BANG LOVE, JUVENILE A (Vision)
Directed by Takashi Miike
Ottawa International Animation Festival (Sept 20-24)
Le Chevalier D'Eon (Out of Competition Television Showcase Screenings)
Directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi
NORABBITS' MINUTES (Official Competition in the H - Short Animation Made for Children category)
Directed by Yuichi Ito |
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| 06/07/04 | Toronto International Film Festival
Takeshi Miike's "Big Bang Love, Juvenile A" has been selected to screen at the 31st Toronto International Film Festival which will take place from September 7-16. Toronto will be the North American Premiere for this film. "Big Bang Love, Juvenile A" will be screened at the Visions section in Toronto.
Link: http://www.e.bell.ca/filmfest |
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| 06/06/15 | Montreal World Film Festival
Shochiku film, "MIDNIGHT SUN" will be screened as part of the First Films World Competition at the Montreal World Film Festival, which runs from August 24 until September 4 in Montreal, Canada.
Link : http://www.ffm-montreal.org/ |
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| 06/06/12 | Posted: Tue., May 30, 2006, 6:22pm PT
Shohei Imamura
Director
By MARK SCHILLING
TOKYO -- Director Shohei Imamura died May 30 in Tokyo of liver cancer. He was 79.
The son of a doctor and a graduate of elite Waseda U., Shohei Imamura joined the Shochiku studio in 1951 as an assistant director. He worked with Yasujiro Ozu on his masterpiece "The Tokyo Story," but grew dissatisfied with Ozu's highly controlled style and middle-class subject matter. In 1954 he moved to the Nikkatsu studio and in 1958 made his directorial debut with "Stolen Desire."
Much like Nikkatsu mentor Yuzo Kawashima, Imamura had a preference for contemporary themes, explored with frankness, humor and a lack of cant. He also had an enduring interest in the inhabitants of cultural backwaters and the lower depths, particularly earthy, strong-willed women who disdained bourgeois morality.
His 1963 breakthrough film, "Insect Woman," told the story of one such heroine, a prostitute who tenaciously pursues her dream of wealth and power, using deceit and subterfuge without a qualm. Shot in a quasi-documentary style, the picture won numerous prizes and was proclaimed the best Japanese film of the year by the prestigious Kinema Junpo magazine's critic's poll.
Imamura launched his own production company in 1965 and continued to make films mixing fictional and documentary techniques. In 1970, after the B.O. failure of "History of Postwar Japan as Told by a Bar Hostess," he abandoned features for documentaries.
In 1979 he returned to fictional filmmaking with "Vengeance Is Mine," a close-up examination of a ruthless serial killer who nurses a burning hatred for his meek Christian father. Based on a true story, the film swept domestic awards, including a Kinema Junpo Best One prize.
In 1983 Imamura released "The Ballad of Narayama," a period film based on a legend about rural villagers who abandon their elderly on a nearby mountain. The picture won the Palme d'Or at Cannes -- Imamura's first.
He scooped Cannes' top prize again in 1997 for "The Eel," a drama about an ex-con who killed his wife and is trying to start anew with a woman who attempted suicide.
Imamura's last full-length feature was the 2001 drama "Warm Water Under a Red Bridge." He also contributed a segment to "Eleven Minutes, Nine Seconds, One Image -- September 11," an omnibus on the theme of 9/11.
Imamura was founder and longtime head of the Japan Academy of Moving Images, a Yokohama-based film school whose alumni include helmer Takashi Miike. |
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| 06/06/09 | A business partnership has been announced between Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Shochiku Co., Ltd.
1. Purpose of the business partnership
Both companies has conducted various collaborations in media business such as an operation of a pay satellite broadcasting company, Eisei Gekijyo Co., Ltd. and Shochiku Multiplex Theaters Co., Ltd, as well as a co-produce of films such as "Helen The Baby Fox".
As the application of digital technologies in the media field progresses rapidly, the market of media contents is expected to expand substantially. Combining Mitsui's experience in generating new business models in the past and Shochiku's strength in producing quality films will be effective in creating a new market especially in the mobile phone and internet contents distribution.
2. Details of the business partnership
Both companies will examine concrete contents and promotion method of a joint item in the fields of following businesses.
(1) Delivery and sales of film and animations for mobile phones and internet
(2) A co-production of films
(3) Planning and sales of animations
(4) Sales of movies for overseas markets |
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| 06/05/17 | Shochiku does Kafka in animation debut
Screen Daily Stories
by Liz Shackleton in Cannes
Japan's Shochiku is launching two animated films from high-profile directors at Cannes, marking the first time it has produced theatrical animations in-house.
The first film, The Country Doctor, is based on Franz Kafka's short prose of the same name and is being directed by Koji Yamamura who picked up an Oscar nomination for his short film Mr Head.
The second, Kappa No Kureta Okurimono, is based on the popular Kappa picture books written by Masao Kogure. It is being directed by Keiichi Hara, best known for the successful Crayon Shinchan film franchise and TV series which has been broadcast around the world including Korea, Italy and Spain.
Both films will start production in June for release in Japan in 2007. "As planned we've accelerated the development of animated TV fare and are now poised to do the same with theatrical films," said Ichiro Seki, general manager of Shochiku's animation division. |
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| 06/04/12 | 'Shinobi' finds N. American home
FUNimation takes theatrical, DVD and TV rights
By MARK SCHILLING
TOKYO: FUNimation Entertainment has acquired North American rights, including theatrical, DVD and broadcast, to the ninja actioner "Shinobi" from Shochiku. According to Shochiku sources, FUNimation has not yet set a date for theatrical release, but may release the DVD in the late summer or early fall.
A hit in Japan, where it grossed Y1.4 billion ($12 milion) following its September 2005 release, "Shinobi" features Joe Odagiri and Yukie Nakama as ninjas belonging to rival clans who become lovers and unwilling opponents in a life-or-death contest of martial arts skills.
In a statement, FUNimation prexyprexy Gen Fukunaga described the film as "a great looking piece" and said the company "is researching much wider distribution efforts" for it, including broadcast and theatrical.
"Shinobi" was adapted from "The Kouga Ninja Scrolls," a best selling novel that also inspired "Basilisk," an anime series that FUNimation is distributing.
Shochiku has sold "Shinobi" to nearly 20 territories so far, including Korea (IMX); the U.K. (Optimum Releasing); Italy (Mikado); Germany, Austria and Switzerland (I-ON Media); and Australia and New Zealand (Madman Entertainment). |
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| 06/03/07 | Shochiku to Build Cinema Complex in Shinjuku
Shochiku plans to open a large-scale cinema complex in Tokyo's Shinjuku district in autumn, 2008. The company will invest approximately 6 billion yen in the project, which when completed will boast 10 screens. Other companies such as Toho and Toei also plan to build complexes in the city's central districts. In recent years the traditional battleground for cinema complexes has been suburban areas however the competition has shifted to the
city center where it is easier to attract customers.
Construction is due to commence in June this year on the site of Shochiku's Shinjuku Shochiku Kaikan, which will be torn down to make way for the new cinema complex. The building will be 12 stories high, with an additional two floors underground. The complex's 10 screens will occupy floors 3 - 12, providing a total capacity of 2,300 seats. |
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| 06/01/22 | The 30th Hong Kong International Film Festival
This year at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, which will be held from April 4th through April 19th, Takashi Miike's "Big Bang Love, Juvenile A" will be screened. "Big Bang Love, Juvenile A" was also screened at the Berlin International Film Festival Panorama section.
Last year at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Shochiku received a Contribution Award and Keisuke Kinoshita was featured in a retrospective program.
http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/events/press.html |
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| 06/01/19 | EARLY SUMMER and THE LIGHTHOUSE will be shown at Berlin International Film Festival
This year, the Retrospective of the 56th Berlin International Film Festival will feature the screen heroines of the 1950s. Entitled as "Dream Girls,"actresses from the United States, Europe and Japan will be presented. Among 30 actresses at the program, Hideko Takamine in THE LIGHTHOUSE, and Setsuko Hara in EARLY SUMMER will be introduced. The 56th Berlin International Festival will be held from February 9 to 19, 2006 in Berlin, Germany.
http://www.berlinale.de/ |
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| 06/01/19 | SHINOBI to be showcased in the Competition at the 24th Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film
Ten Shimoyama's film, SHINOBI will compete for the award at the 24th Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film that will be held from March 10 to 25, 2006 in Brussels, Belgium. This festival has a long history and is acknowledged as one of famous fantastic film festivals in the world.
http://www.bifff.org/ |
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| 06/01/09 | Shochiku ties up with Mitsukoshi
At the end of 2005, Shochiku and a major department store Mitsukoshi announced their capital tie-up in order to work together to strengthen the use of Shochiku's cultural properties such as Kabuki plays, films, stars and so on.
The both of long standing companies have strong customer bases in wealthy middle and advanced age people. They are aiming at the expansion of the business to the baby boom generation that retires in large quantities after 2007.
The two companies created a project team in each business field, so that such topics will be discussed about the use of the movie image and technologies of Shochiku's popular movie series as "TORA-SAN" and "FREE AND EASY." |
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| 05/12/27 | Fajr International Film Festival
Yoji Yamada's film, "THE HIDDEN BLADE" will be shown in the international competition of the 24th Fajr International Film Festival(Tehran, Iran/'06.Jan.20-30). The festival also focuses on Yamada with his other 8 titles:FIFTEEN, MY SONS, A CLASS TO REMEMBER, TORA-SAN'S FORBIDDEN LOVE, TORA-SAN OUR LOVABLE TRAMP, FINAL TAKE, WHERE SPRING COMES LATE and HOME FROM THE SEA.
LINK http://www.fajrfestival.ir |
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| 05/12/27 | Shochiku Tribute at Cinematheque Francaise
A collection of Japanese classic films will be shown at the Cinematheque Francaise in Paris, France from January 4 through 15, 2006 as commemoration of Shochiku's 110th anniversary.
Fourteen titles including silent films from Shochiku are:
Souls on the Road, 1921, directed by Minoru Murata,
Kohitsuji (1923), directed by Zanmu Kako,
Fue no shiratama (1929), directed by Hiroshi Shimizu
Slashing Swords (1929), directed by Daisuke Ito
Parents (1929), directed by Hiroshi Shimizu and Tadamoto Okubo
A Straightforward Boy (1929), directed by Yasujiro Ozu
A Buddhist Mass for Goemon Ishikawa (1930) directed by Torajiro Saito
Rebirth of the Imperial Capital (1930), directed by Hamataro Oda and Asajiro Itoi
Foster Sisters (1932), directed by Hotei Nomura
The Unrelated (1932), directed by Mikio Naruse
Dynamite Bride (1932), directed by Keisuke Sasaki and Torajiro Saito
Woman of Tokyo (1933), directed by Yasujiro Ozu
The Izu Dancer (1933), directed by Heinosuke Gosho
Osen, the Folded-Paper Crane (1935), directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
LINK (in French)
http://www.cinematheque.fr/fr/nosactivites/projections/lescycles/cycle.html?Cycle_OID=5d5cd3b0-4786-4707-a7c2-000000000297 |
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| 05/12/15 | The Korean Association of Cinematheques will present a special collection of 19 Shochiku films as a tribute to its 110th anniversary at Seoul Art Cinema from December 17 through 30.
Link : http://www.cinematheque.seoul.kr
A total of 19 films will be screened as follows:
TOKYO CHORUS by Yasujiro Ozu
A STORY OF FLOATING WEEDS by Yasujiro Ozu
SISITERS OF GION by Kenji Mizoguchi
WOMEN OF THE NIGHT by Kenji Mizoguchi
ORNAMENTAL HAIRPIN by Hiroshi Shimizu
THE ROYAL 47 RONIN PART 1 by Kenji Mizoguchi
THE ROYAL 47 RONIN PART 2 by Kenji Mizoguchi
CARMEN COMES HOME by Keisuke Kinoshita
THE BALLAD OF NARAYAMA by Keisuke Kinoshita
BLACK RIVER by Masaki Kobayashi
STREET OF HOPE AND LOVE by Nagisa Oshima
THE SUN??S BURIAL by Nagisa Oshima
LOVE AFFAIR AT AKITSU SPA by Yoshishige Yoshida
GOOD FOR NOTHING by Yoshishige Yoshida
ONE WAY TICKET TO LOVE by Masahiro Shinoda
PALE FLOWER by Masahiro Shinoda
HARAKIRI by Masaki Kobayashi
WOMAN CAN??T BE BEATEN by Azuma Morisaki
NOWHERE MAN by Naoto Takenaka |
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| 05/11/28 | A new star is born: Ms. Hanako Ebise Wins Grand Prize at Shochiku "STAR GATE" Audition from more than 10,000 Hopefuls
As one of the key events in its 110th anniversary celebrations, Shochiku sponsored a large scale nationwide "STAR GATE" audition this summer to find a lady of truly international star aspects between the ages of 12 and 23. The final screening of the twelve finalists, held on November 26 at Kabukiza Theater, was open to the public. Out of the original 10,378 candidates from all over the country, 19 years old Hanako Ebise, a college student from Kyoto, won the grand prize of 1,110,000 yen as well as an opportunity to make her film debut in a Shochiku film to be released in 2007. |
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| 05/11/26 | UNESCO proclaims Kabuki an Intangible Heritage of Humanity
UNESCO has proclaimed the Japanese art of Kabuki as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The prestigious honor came after a group of 18 international jurists, including anthropologists and theater artists, reviewed the art form along with 64 other submissions. UNESCO also recognized Noh drama, and Joruri Bunraku puppet theater as intangible heritage in 2001 and 2003 respectively.
Link: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=30973&URL;_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL;_SECTION=201.html |
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| 05/11/22 | Japanese major Shochiku has persuaded modernist helmer and former documentarian Kore-eda Hirokazu to direct his first samurai movie.
Now in production, "Hana Yori Mo Naho" concerns a troubled samurai warrior and a widow. Release in Japan is skedded for next spring.
Pic stars Junichi Okada ("Tokyo Tower"), Rie Miyazawa ("Twilight Samurai") and Tadanobu Asano. Producers are Sato Shiho and Enoki Nozomu.
Shochiku also is producing "Bushi no Ichibun" (One-Line Samurai), the final part of Yoji Yamada's trilogy that began with "Twilight Samurai" and "The Hidden Blade." |
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| 05/11/22 | Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda (After Life, Nobody Knows) is set to make his first period drama, Hana Yori Mo Naho , with Shochiku providing financing and distribution.
Based on an original story by Kore-eda, the film is scheduled for a spring 2006 release. Shochiku will also be handling worldwide sales.
The film will feature Junichi Okada (Tokyo Tower) as a troubled young samurai bent on revenge for the death of his father, while Tadanobu Asano (Zatoichi) plays his nemesis. Rie Miyazawa (The Twilight Samurai) will also star as the widow he falls in love with.
However, instead of flashing swords and falling bodies, the focus of the story will be on human relationships in a crowded, vibrant, urban neighborhood.
The producers on the long-mulled project are Sato Shiho, who worked with Kore-eda on After Life, and Enoki Nozomu, whose credits include the Yoichi Sai drama Blood And Bones, which is Japan's candidate for a 2005 foreign-language Oscar.
Kore-eda's last film, drama Nobody Knows, was screened in competition at Cannes in 2004, with 14-year-old star Yuya Yagira scooping a best actor award. Remake rights to his second feature, After Life, have been purchased by 20th Century Fox. |
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| 05/11/07 | TOKYO -- Japanese entertainment giant Shochiku is reshaping its management to reflect growth in its movies division.
Teruki Matusumoto has been appointed managing director of theatrical distribution. Takeo Hisamatsu has been tapped m.d. of production and development. Both will report to Jay Sakomoto, Shochiku prexy.
"This change will allow a more streamlined division resulting in greater cohesiveness and greater strides taken," Sakomoto said.
Shochiku, 110 years old, has interests in kabuki theater, hardtops, and film production and distribution. Its movies have grossed \10.5 billion ($95 million) this year through August, thanks to hits including "Yokai deaisenso," "Aegis" and "Mobile Suit Z gundam."
The shuffle splits Hisamatsu's role, which previously covered production and distribution.
Matsumoto, who previously focused on exhibition before a stint at Eisei Gekijo and Movie Channel, also will oversee international sales. |
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| 05/11/07 | Japan's Yoji Yamada will direct "Bushi no ichibun" (which translates loosely as "One-Line Samurai") as the third part of a swordplay trilogy that began with the Oscar-nominated "Twilight Samurai."
Pic will shoot in early 2006 with Takuya Timura ("2046") starring as a young, blind samurai who fights for his honor and the wife who sacrificed herself for him.
Production, distribution and international sales are by Japanese major Shochiku, which previously handled "Samurai" and 2005 follow-up "The Hidden Blade." Script is by Shuhei Fujisawa, who penned the earlier episodes. |
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| 05/11/07 | Already sold to 14 foreign territories and with strong remake potential, Ten Shimoyama's Shinobi resembles recent Japanese period epics like Red Shadow, Samurai Resurrection and Azumi in its computer game-like structure and targets their teen audiences accordingly.
But in telling his story of two warring ninja clans, Shimoyama also aspires to the epic, mythic quality of Zhang Yimou's Hero and Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - and attains it more often than not.
At home the film has enjoyed a good showing, marketed by Shochiku more as a love story than a martial arts spree and targeting under-30s of both sexes, including dating couples, rather than just martial arts movie fans.
Overseas, prospects are likely to be good among specialised Western audiences with a hankering for ninja theatrics and Asian period drama.
The film takes place in 1614, with Japan finally at peace after long decades of internal strife. Yukie Nakama plays Oboro, a ninja of the Iga clan, who falls in love with Gennosuke (Joe Odagiri), the son of the rival Koga clan's leader. Living in the remote mountains, these two clans have perfected the ninja arts, called "shinobi," far beyond the reach of mere mortals.
Seeking to consolidate the shogun's rule - and seeing the two clans as a threat to it, a powerful priest and shogunal advisor (Renji Ishibashi) schemes to set them against each other. The clans are commanded to each select five champions who will battle to the death. The reward for the survivor: rank and power.
Both Oboro and Gennosuke are chosen as champions, but Gennosuke doubts the shogunate's intentions - and refuses to take part in the contest. He is forced into action when his comrades begin to fall, though he cannot bring himself to battle one Iga warrior: Oboro.
Shinobi cleanly and quickly flies across the screen in little more than 100 minutes, minus the dead spots or static set pieces that bloat the usual period drama.
While the romance between the two principals is central, Shinobi's story is not dependent on Romeo and Juliet mechanics; rather the two leads spend most of their time as champions for rival families, not as lovers fighting the opposition of their parents.
The fight scenes are mostly two opponents battling to the death before the winner moves on to the next foe (a narrative motor also found in the big-screen adaptation of computer gameslike Mortal Kombat). But Shimoyama ups the ante with pieces of lethal steel flying at impossible speeds, wire-assisted leaps to the roofs of buildings and stunts bordering on ìnow you see it now you don't" trickery.
The 10 contestants in this ultimate death match are distinctive types easy for the audience to sort out, including the lovely-but-creepy Kagero (Tomoka Kurotani) - poison to her enemies, but sweet on Gennosuke - and Tenzan Yakushi (Kippei Shiina), a silver-haired ninja master who knows all and sees all, including the secrets of Oboro's conflicted heart.
Star Yukie Nakama, a TV drama queen whose film work has been on the light comic side (G@ame, Trick), exudes dynamism, passion and sensuality, as though she prepped with the films of Zhang Ziyi. She never abandons her femininity, even as a fiery warrior, nor loses her steely ninja spirit, even as a woman in love.
The work of visual effects producer Shuji Asano and CG director Hiroyuki Hayashi dazzlingly transcends the usual ninja stunts, as when Obero pierces a foe with her glance (her eyes changing colour in the process) and shorts out his synapses, in a sequence that resembles an animated medical drawing in hyper-realistic 3-D.
These and other feats, however, derive from the ninjas' training and abilities, not simply cartoon-like super-powers. Impossibly exaggerated, yes, verging on the absurd, no. Also, they defeat each other more with their smarts and skills than brute power displays.
Photography is first rate, underscoring the gorgeousness of the period costumes and scenery without looking too staged or picture postcard.
The mayhem eventually ends with a poignant moment of remembrance and hope and a final message: super ninjas may not last forever but love will endure.
Production companies
Shochiku
Nippon Television Network
Satellite Theatre
Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan distribution
Shochiku
International sales
Shochiku
Executive producer
Takeo Hisamatsu
Producers
Nozomu Enoki
Hiroyuki Sato
Screenplay
Kenya Hirata from the book Koga Ninpo-cho by Futaro Yamada
Cinematography
Masashi Chikamori
Editor
Isao Kawase
Production design
Toshihiro Isomi
Music
Taro Iwashiro
Action director
Yuji Shimomura
Costume designer
Kumiko Ogawa
Visual effects producer
Shuji Asano
CG director
Hiroyuki Hayashi
Main cast
Yukie Nakama
Joe Odagiri
Renji Ishibashi
Tomoka Kurotani
Kippei Shiina |
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| 05/11/07 | Shochiku has announced that Yoji Yamada will complete the trilogy of samurai dramas he began with The Twilight Samurai nominated for best foreign-language film at the Oscars in 2004 and The Hidden Blade.
Tentatively titled Bushi No Ichibun (A Warrior's Duty), the final instalment in the trilogy is based on a story by Shuhei Fujisawa about a blind young samurai, who goes out to get vengeance after his wife dies protecting his honour.
Fujisawa's fiction also supplied materials for the first two films in the trilogy, which both depicted samurai on the lower rungs of the social scale, living everyday lives with extraordinary courage. Bushi No Ichibun will star Takuya Kimura, an enduringly popular TV celebrity and pop star who also appeared in Wong Kar-wai's 2046. Principal photography is scheduled to start early in 2006.
Yamada, a Shochiku studio pillar for four decades, is best known in Japan for his 48-episode Tora-san series about a wandering peddler who is forever falling in love.
The Twilight Samurai, his first period drama, was a solid hit in Japan and screened around the world, while scooping numerous awards both at home and abroad. His follow-up, The Hidden Blade, was also a box office success in Japan last year prompting Yamada to undertake and Shochiku to underwrite the final film in the trilogy. |
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| 05/10/07 | | A Shochiku Film, "HINOKIO" directed by Takahiko Akiyama receives the Golden Butterfly Prize for Best Feature Film at the Asian Cinema section in the 20th Isfahan International Festival of Film for Children and Young Adults which was held in Teheran, Iran from September 29 to October 3. |
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| 05/09/30 | Yoji YamadaThe Hidden Bladereceives Best Picture Award at the 8th Zimbabwe International Film Festival:
"The Hidden Blade", directed by Yoji Yamada, received the Best Picture Award at the 8th Zimbabwe International Film Festival, held from August 26th through September 4th, 2005.
After hearing that he had received the award, Yamada commented, "I was extremely happy and felt very honored to hear that my work, "The Hidden Blade" had won the grand prix at this year's Zimbabwe International Film Festival. This has helped to remind me that cinema is a wonderful art form that enables us to appreciate each other, crossing the barriers of country and distance, race, language and culture. On behalf of the entire staff who worked with me to produce "The Hidden Blade", I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the festival committee and staff members of this festival. In addition, although I have not yet visited Zimbabwe, I am also grateful to the audiences there. Thank you very much."
Official URL : http://www.ziff.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&task;=view&id;=60&Itemid;=1 |
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| 05/09/21 | Distrig org taps Sakomoto chair
• By PATRICK FRATER
The Foreign Film Importer-Distributors Assn. of Japan has named Shochiku prexy Junichi Sakomoto its chairman.
It's the first time that the president of a major Japanese distribution company that's a member of the Motion Picture Assn. of Japan has been selected as the org's chair. The two other Japanese majors, Toei and Toho, are not members.
The body oversees the importation and distribution of foreign films, fosters international cooperation, settles trade disputes and negotiates with festivals.
Sakomoto, who joined Shochiku 26 years ago, has been prexy for a year. He has overseen a return to financial health and dividend payments to stockholders. |
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| 05/09/21 | The 43rd New York Film Festival will open this weekend.
As Shochiku celebrates its 110th anniversary, a collection of films from Shochiku's past is to feature at the 43rd New York Film Festival. Among the movies to be shown will be Yoji Yamada's "The Hidden Blade", which has been chosen as the opening film for this Shochiku retrospective. The festival will be held at New York's Lincoln Center from September 24 until October 20.
As a tribute to Shochiku's 110th anniversary, a total of 45 films, including many that have not been shown abroad before, will be screened at the festival.
Shochiku Website Link : http://www.shochikufilms.com/festival/index.html
Link : http://www.filmlinc.com/wrt/showing/shochiku.htm |
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| 05/08/26 | Yoji Yamada will receive a "Life Time Achievement Award" for his contribution to Asian films, at the 5th Gwangju International Film Festival that will be held in Gwangju, Korea from August 26th through September 4th, 2005. At the film festival, several Yamada films such as "THE HIDDEN BLADE", "MY SONS", and "WHERE SPRING COMES LATE" will be shown, and the director will attend the a symposium on August 28th.
Screening schedule for Yoji Yamada's films:
Aug. 27th 19:00 at Migliore Cinema?P"THE HIDDEN BLADE" *
*Yamada will meet audience to have a Q&A; session after the screening.
Aug. 28th, 19:00 at Migliore Cinema 3 "THE HIDDEN BLADE"
Aug. 28th, 22:00 at Migliore Cinema 3 "MY SONS"
Aug. 29th, 19:00 at Migliore Cinema 4 "MY SONS"
Aug. 29th, 16:30 at Migliore Cinema 1 "WHERE SPRING COMES LATE"
Aug. 30th, 13:30 at Migliore Cinema 3 "WHERE SPRING COMES LATE"
Link : http://www.giff.org/english/
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| 05/07/28 | CASSHERN: Dream Works/Go Fish Pictures reopens "www.casshern.com".
Dream Works/Go Fish Pictures reopens CASSHERN web page. http://www.casshern.com From the top page, visitors to the website could choose either entering the original Japanese website or the new English website created by Dream Works/Go Fish Pictures. Dream Works/Go Fish Pictures plans to release "CASSHERN" in the United States and Canada in 2006. |
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| 05/07/28 | BABY FOX HELEN: Shochiku will release a new family film in spring of 2006. The film is based on a true story, a heartwarming story of the care and love of the boy and a vet who tries to save the baby fox.
http://www.helen-movie.jp/ (Japanese site) |
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| 05/07/01 | Shochiku is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year, will have a large scale nationwide audition "STAR GATE" to search for a new actress who has the potential to become an international star in the future. Any female who speaks Japanese and ages from 12 to 23 is eligible for applying "STAR GATE" audition. Applications are accepted from June 1st, and candidates are interviewed at 5 locations throughout Japan in August. The final announcement will be made on November 26th at the Kabukiza Theater in Tokyo. The winner of this audition is scheduled to make her debut on a feature film in 2007.
Link : http://www.shochiku.co.jp/110/files/star.html(in Japanese) |
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| 05/06/24 | As Shochiku celebrates its 110th anniversary of movie production, a collection of films from Shochiku's past is to feature at the 43rd New York Film Festival. Among the movies to be shown will be a digitally remastered version of Yoshitaro Nomura's "The Castle of Sand", which has been chosen as the opening film for this Shochiku retrospective. The festival will be held at New York's Lincoln Center from September 24 until October 20.
As a tribute to Shochiku's 110th anniversary, a total of 45 films, including many that have not been shown abroad before, will be screened at the festival.
Link : http://www.filmlinc.com/nyff/nyff.htm |
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| 05/06/24 | A collection of films celebrating Shochiku's 110th anniversary will be shown at Germany's 23rd Filmfest, The 2005 Filmfest München, to be held from June 25 until July 2. The films to be shown at the festival include 10 works from director Keisuke Kinoshita, in addition to 5 new works. A special invitation-only screening of director Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "House of Bugs" from Kazuo Umezu's Horror Theater series will also be screened. Kiyoshi Kurosawa and "Tokyo Lullaby" director Jun Ichikawa will attend the festival.
Link : http://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/rc/FFM_EN/home/index.asp
Keisuke Kinoshita Feature − movies to be screened:
PORT OF FLOWER (1943 b/w)
ARMY (1944 b/w)
WOMAN (1948 b/w)
CARMEN COMES HOME (1951 color)
TWENTY-FOUR EYES (1954 b/w) *New Print
YOU WERE LIKE A WILD CHRYSANTHEMUM (1955 b/w) *New Print
THE BALLAD OF NARAYAMA (1958 color)
SNOW FLURY (1959 color)
THE SCENT OF INCENSE (1964 b/w)
CHILDREN OF NAGASAKI (1983 color)
Other movies to be screened:
THE HIDDEN BLACE, by Yoji Yamada (2004)
THE HOUSE OF BUGS, by Kiyoshi Kurosawa (2005)
FACE, by Junji Sakamoto (2000)
TOKYO LULLABY, by Jun Ichikawa (1997)
SONATINE, by Kitano Takeshi (1993) |
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| 05/06/16 | | At THE 8TH SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL that will be held from June 11th through June 19th, "BEAT KIDS", "LAST QUARTER" and "SCHOOL WARS : HERO" will be shown at International Film Panorama. Toshi Shioya, director of "BEAT KIDS" will join the festival and greet at his film screening. Also, director Yoji Yamada was invited to the festival and would visit Shanghai from June 10th through 15th. Films of Yoji Yamada featured in this festival are "THE HIDDEN BLADE", "FINAL TAKE", "WHERE SPRING COMES LATE", "TORA-SAN OUR LOVABLE TRAMP", and "THE LOVABLE TRAMP." |
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| 05/05/02 | | An entertainment news magazine, "Variety" featured 'Shochiku 110th Years' on its April 25th issue. |
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| 05/04/27 | | Umezu Horror, film adaptations by director Kiyoshi Kurosawa will be on sale at Cannes: Kiyoshi Kurosawa has created a movie from the 6 comics written by renowned manga artist Kazuo Umezu. The film ?gHOUSE OF BUGS?h is going on sale at the 57th Cannes Film Festival on May. The works adapted to film are from a collection of six short stories contained in the ?gHORROR THEATER?h released by well-known publisher Shogakukan to celebrate the 50th year of Umezu?fs writing career. Kurosawa?fs previous horror film ?eThe Circuit?f won the International Film Critics Award at the 54th Cannes Film Festival held in 2001, and received great praise in France. Umezu has said that he wants the world to appreciate how fear can create the ultimate psycho-drama. |
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| 05/04/12 | | QUILL is invited to show at Family Film Festival in TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL (05) that will be held from April 19th through May 1st, 2005 in New York City. Director of the film, Yoichi Sai will attend the festival. |
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| 05/03/18 | | "The Hidden Blade" written and directed by Yoji Yamada will be shown at the opening of the 29th Hong Kong International Film Festival, being held from March 22nd through April 6th, 2005. The movie will screen at the Hong Kong Cultural Grand Theatre from 9:45PM on March 22nd. In addition, one of Japan's most famous and renowned film directors, Keisuke Kinoshita will be featured in a retrospective program entitled "The Cinematic Universe of Kinoshia Keisuke", highlighting 18 films from his many great works. This tribute to the great filmmaker is to be opened by his classic 1995 film, "You Were Like a Wild Chrysanthemum" at the Hong Kong Science Museum Lecture Hall from 9:30PM on March 23rd. (details at FESTIVAL & MARKET) |
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| 05/01/21 | + THE HIDDEN BLADE by Yoji YAMADA in COMPETITION at 55th BERLINALE
The Festival official has announced that Yoji YAMADA's THE HIDDEN BLADE has been selected for the COMPETITION at 55th BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. Yamada is to attend the festival in next month. Screening info is here ( 20.01.2005)
+SHOCHIKU receives BERLINALE CAMERA AWARD
Berlin International Film Festival's coveted BERLINALE CAMERA AWARD will be awarded to SHOCHIKU at next month's festival for its contribution to the development of the motion picture industry in Japan and to the Berlin fest over the years. Shochiku is the first company to receive this prestigious award. In celebration of the company's anniversary, there will be a special screening of its classic TWENTY-FOUR EYES from legendary director Keisuke KINOSHITA at the award ceremony.
+SHOCHIKU unveils plans for 110th Anniversary Celebration in 2005 |
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| 04/11/01 | +Director Yoji Yamada to Receive Award for Cultural Merit
The officials has announced that the renowned director Yoji Yamada (73) will be rewarded with the Award for Cultural Merit for his contribution in the Japanese Cinema. Its ceremony will be held on Nov.4th in Tokyo.
+DreamWorks buys rights to 'Casshern'
DreamWorks Pictures has taken domestic distribution rights to the Japanese feature "Casshern". Based on a 1970s animation series, the live-action feature follows a young man reborn as a bioengineered being who becomes involved in a bitter struggle between humankind and androids. Japan's Shochiku released the film in April in its home country. The film, directed by Kazuaki Kiriya, was produced by Hideshi Miyajima, Toshiraru Ozawa and Toshiaki Wakabayashi. (Staff Report, Hollywood Reporter / Oct. 27, 2004)
+AFM information is now available. >> HERE |
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| 04/09/01 | SHOCHIKU introduces Korean agent
As of September 1st, Shochiku has closed the contract with Mr. Do Jae-Hoon as the agent in Korea, mainly for the reinforcement of the sales activity in its market that has grown its significance so rapidly in Asia today. With the abundant background of his career at Bear Entertainment, SRE Corporation and Premiere Entertainment where he was active for the acquisition of Japanese films and animation, the efficient perspective for its sales of Shochiku films is expected. |
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| 04/05/27 | | Junichi Sakomoto, the former Executive Vice President and Representative Director, has succeeded as President and Representative Director, Chief Executive Officer after Nobuyoshi Otani, who has been inaugurated as Vice Chairman and Representative Director as of May 27th, 2004. |
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