Happy weekend, people!

I am still pushed for time and it’s going to be a regular thing for a while because I am going to embark on some travels. That means the trailer posts are going to suffer a lack of information and some bad translations. My apologies. I will fix these at a later date. I do go back through old festival posts and replace trailers that have disappeared/update things so I will try and get around to doing it to these trailer posts.

This week, I have posted about “Destruction Babies” (2016) and the tragic passing of the great actor, Ren Osugi.

What is released this weekend?

Let’s Decorate the Promised Flowers in the Farewell Morning

さよならの朝に約束の花をかざろう 「Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana wo Kazarou」

Running Time: 115 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director:  Mari Okada

Writer: Mari Okada (Screenplay),

Starring: Manaka Iwami (Maquia), Miyu Irino (Ariel), Misaki Kuno (Medmel), Tomokazu Sugita (Izol), Hiroaki Hirata (Barlow), Yoko Hikasa (Dita), Rina Satou (Mido),

Animation Production: P.A. Works

Website ANN MAL

The film will be the directorial debut of anime screenwriter Mari Okada (The Anthem of the Heart, The Dark Maidens) and it was animated at P.A. Works.

Synopsis from ANN: The story begins with Maquia, who is from a family where all the members stop aging in their mid teens. She has no parents and, although her days are peaceful, she feels lonely. Their peace is shattered when an army invades, seeking the secret to her people’s immortality. Leilia, the most beautiful girl in her clan, is taken away, and the boy Maquia has secret feelings for disappears. Maquia is able to escape, but she loses her friends and her home. Wandering alone in the forest, she finds Erial, a baby boy who has lost his parents. The story follows the changing relationship between the two as Erial grows up and Maquia does not.

Does the Flower Bloom   

花は咲くか 「Hana wa Sakuka」

Running Time: 88 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Kaori Tanimoto

Writer: Natsuko Takahashi (Screenplay), Shoko Hidaka (Original Manga)

Starring: Tsurugi Watanabe, Hironari Amano, Akihisa Shiono, Atomu Mizuishi, Yasukaze Motomiya,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Thirty-something Kazuaki Sakurai (Hironari Amano) works for a big ad agency and his latest assignment is shooting a CM in a traditional Japanese house. It is there that Yoichi Mizukawa, a 19-year-old art student, lives with his cousins. Yoichi loves to paint but when the older man takes a romantic interest in him, Yoichi feels something stirring within him. Could a romance blossom? It may not because Kazuaki is then transferred to Osaka…

Legend of the Demon Cat    

空海 「Kuukai KU-KAI」

Running Time: 132 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Chen Kaige

Writer: Chen Kaige, Hui-Ling Wang (Screenplay), Baku Yumemakura (Original Novel)

Starring: Shota Sometani, Huang Xuan, Hiroshi Abe, Sandrine Pinna, Keiko Katsuzaka, Zhang Tianai, Shohei Hino, Zhang Yugi, Oho Ou,

Website IMDB

 This one was at the Tokyo International Film Festival. It is based on a book written by Baku Yumemakura.  He’s an interesting chap who has written extensively about many subjects.

Synopsis: It is the era of the Tang Dynasty and Kukai (Shota Sometani) is a Japanese Buddhist monk who has travelled to China to learn about its culture. While living in Chang’an city, he meets Rakuten Haku (Huang Xuan), a poet who he becomes friends with. This duo investigate when Concubine Yang and then powerful men connected to a historical case start dying. The deaths are attributed to a demon cat but is this just superstition or reality?

Leon   

レオン　 「Reon」

Running Time: 100 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Renpei Tsukamoto

Writer: Erika Yoshida (Screenplay), Kaori Ookura, Tomofusa Kiyoshi (Original Manga)

Starring: Kang Ji-Young, Naoto Takenaka, Ikusaburo Yamazaki, Ryo Yoshizawa, Aya Omasa, Shinji Saito, Mikie Hara, Aoba Kawai,

Website IMDB

Kang Ji-young, star of the Japanese adaptation of “Orphan Black”, is the lead in this film and she shares the big screen with her fellow “Orphan Black” leads, Naoto Takenaka and Ikusaburo Yamazaki.

Synopsis: Reon (Kang Ji-Young) has been dumped by her boyfriend and fired from her job. Things can’t get worse for her at this present moment but when she gets into a traffic accident with a man, she finds she has swapped bodies. Who is the person she is now inhabiting? Reo Asahina (Naoto Takenaka), a CEO and playboy. The two must try and find a way to reverse the swap! Until then, they will have to play each other!

Shukatsu 2   

シュウカツ2 「Shuukatsu 2」

Running Time: 70 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Seiji Chiba

Writer: Seiji Chiba (Screenplay, Original Work)

Starring: Shu Watanabe, Toshiyuki Someya, Kimito Totani, Takuya Mizoguchi, Kentaro Shimazu, Koji Isayama,

Website

Seiji Chiba… That name is familiar… Something about Aliens and Ninjas… Oh no. The director of the ultra low-budget, “Alien vs. Ninja”… He’s back with a more normal but still cheap film.

Synopsis: There are a new set of actors portraying students who are at the interview stage of the job hunting process. It’s a “Debate” in which the students are whittled down to the two who will get the final interview. Their histories with other companies also affect their chances.

Infini-T Force: Gatchaman Saraba Tomo yo   

劇場版Infini-T Force／ガッチャマン さらば友よ 「Infini-T Force / Gacchaman Saraba Tomo yo」

Running Time: 90 mins.

Release Date: February 24^th, 2018

Director:  Jun Matsumoto

Writer: Jun Kumagai (Screenplay)

Starring: Ai Kayano (Emi Kaido), Aya Endo (Sasaoka), Eiichiro Funakoshi (Dr. Nambu), Kenichi Suzumura (Polymar/Takeshi Yoroi), Soma Saito (Casshan/Tetsuya Azuma), Tomokazu Seki (Ken Washio/Gatchaman G-01).

Animation Production: Digital Frontier

Website ANN MAL

Synopsis from MAL: Emi is a seventeen-year-old girl living in Shibuya. Her father is always away with work and she’s grown listless. Suddenly, a twist of fate involving a certain magical item changes everything. A mysterious pencil, of all things, is linked to the appearance of heroes from another world! Could this be the start to the excitement she’s so desperately craving, or is there something more?

Going the Distance

かぞくへ 「Kazoku he」  

Running Time: 117 mins.

Release Date: October 29^th, 2016

Director: Yujiro Harumoto

Writer: Yujiro Harumoto (Screenplay),

Starring: Shinichiro Matsuura, Masahiro Umeda, Yumi Endo, Nobu Morimoto, Koji Mitsumizo,

IMDB Website

Synopsis: Asahi is a boxing trainer in Tokyo. He grew up in an orphanage but now he is going to start a family with Kaori because they plan to marry soon despite the fact that Kaori’s mother looks down on her prospective son-in-law because of his background and job. When Asahi’s best friend Hiroto is scammed by a shady businessman he has to make a difficult choice between the two closest people in his life. 

Devil   

悪魔 「Akuma」

Running Time: 83 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Michihito Fujii

Writer: Kento Yamaguchi (Screenplay), Junichrio Tanizaki (Original Work)

Starring: Koki Maeda, Ito Ohno, Kaito Yoshimura, Nina Endo, Yorie Yamashita,

Website IMDB

This is the third of the Tanizaki tribute trilogy following “Between Men and Gods” and “Fumiko’s Feet”. This one stars Nina Endo “Yamato (California)” which was at last year’s Osaka Asian Film Festival and “Tourism” which appears at this year’s Osaka Asian Film Festival.

Synopsis: Saeki (Kaito Yoshimura) has moved to Tokyo to enter university. He will lodge in the Hayashi residence which resides in a quiet residential area. This being based on a Tanizaki book, our main character is surrounded by beautiful women whose bodies can be fetishised and feared and subjected to masochistic tendencies. Chie, a high school student and Teruko (Ito Ohno) who has strange sex appeal. She has a man in her thrall, Suzuki (Goki Maeda) an alcoholic who suffers from hallucinations. Saeki gets involved with these three but Teruko could be more dangerous than he realises…

Ikidzuka    

息衝く 「Ikidzuka」 づ DU!!!!!

Running Time: 130 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Bunyo Kimura

Writer: Bunyo Kimura, Shunsuke Sugita, Hirotaka Kuwahara, Kisara Nakaue, Shin Kanezawa (Screenplay),

Starring: Tomoki Kimura, Nana Nagao, Yota Kawase, Maki Nishiyama, Takuya Nakamura, Yuki Koyama, Yoshie Sakamoto,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Three individuals who were brought up in a cult try to deal with life outside it.

Ishin reppuu tengu hangan   

維新烈風　天狗判官 「Ishin reppuu tengu hangan」

Running Time: 104 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Tsutomu Konno

Writer: N/A

Starring: Shinji Kasahara, Seijirou Nakamura, Mao Noguchi, Masaaki Harano, Shuto Washio, Yuki Kurofuji,

Website

Synopsis: Two siblings try and stop a clash between rival powers based in Kyoto and Edo.

Witch Which    

維新烈風　天狗判官 「Wicchi fuwicchi」

Running Time: 78 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Mai Sakai

Writer: Takahito Onishi (Screenplay), Mai Sakai (Original Story)

Starring: Tom Fujita, Giiko, Riku Hagiwara, Yuni Hong, Takuya Matsumoto, Micci the Mistake, Sara Ogawa, Shion Sasaki,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Two girls who are the descendants of witches find themselves getting involved with a boy who is from a family of werewolves.

Five short films were produced in 2017 by the Agency for Cultural Affairs under the “New Directions in Japanese Cinema = ndjc” banner. Here are some details:

Saraba, Daiyamondo　　　

さらば、ダイヤモンド 「Saraba, Daiyamondo 」

Running Time: 30 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Kazuhiro Nakagawa

Writer: Kazuhiro Nakagawa (Screenplay)

Starring: Yuuki Ito, Tsuyoshi Ito, Yuuki Sato, Mami Hashimoto,

Website

Synopsis: Three people, Genki, Hayato, Ryosuke are best friends who were in their university baseball club. Even after graduating and starting careers, their relationship has not changed, but after the age of 30, Ryosuke ‘s marriage and Hayato’ s overseas relocation means a new life for the guys and Genki has to start his as well.

Tokyo Capsule　　　

トーキョーカプセル 「To-kyo- Kapseru」

Running Time: 27 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Emi Saito

Writer: Emi Saito (Screenplay)

Starring: Ririka, Ryo Kawai, Daikichi Sugawara,

Website

Synopsis: Riko moved to Tokyo with a vague expectation of making it big but she ends up working in a capsule hotel. Meanwhile, Naoki who is staying at the capsule hotel where Riko works is drawn into a career change involving the place…

Monchan　　　

もんちゃん 「Monchan」

Running Time: 30 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Jinhong Kim

Writer: Jinhong Kim (Screenplay)

Starring: Yuuki Ito, Tsuyoshi Ito, Yuuki Sato, Mami Hashimoto,

Website

Synopsis: A young boy is picked up by his father’s lover when he falls ill in school. When he slips out of the house, he encounters strange girls.

Bakemono to Onna　　　　

化け物と女 「Bakemono to Onna 」

Running Time: 30 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Akira Ikeda

Writer: Akira Ikeda (Screenplay)

Starring: Kazumi Kumakura, Kitaro, Yoshiki Arizono, Hirofumi Shiba, Tomoko Yokoe,

Website

Synopsis: Yuko Higuchi is a middle-aged woman who works in a small town named Tsubaru. She lives a lonely life without a family or partner. One day, rumors spread around the town that creepy youkai have appeared and the town mayor fathers the inhabitants to settle fears. Yuko hears the sound of a shamisen coming from the dark and is attracted to it. What she finds is a big youkai…

Curry and Rice　　　　

カレーライス Curry and Rice 「Kare-raisu」

Running Time: 30 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Shunsako Okuno

Writer: Shunsako Okuno (Screenplay)

Starring: Kai Inowaki, Niko Ando, Yuuya Matsuura, Toshihiro Yashiba, Kenji Iwaya,

Website

Synopsis: Jeanne is an international student from France and has followed her older brother who is studying Japanese literature at a university. A man named Shigeru wants to introduce Jeanne to curry rice….

Tamayura   

たまゆら 「Tamayura 」

Running Time: 80 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Hirokazu Tsuchida

Writer: Hirokazu Tsuchida (Screenplay)

Starring: Haruka Kubo, Nao Okabe, Aoi Tatsumi, Jyonmyon Pe, Shinji Kasahara, Ryosuke Kawamura, Kazuki Muramatsu, Chiharu, Shoichiro Tanigawa,

Website

Synopsis: Hirokazu Tsuchida is a doctor and has built this film around actual events that have taken place in hospitals.

Yakyuu buin, engeki no butai ni tatsu!   

野球部員、演劇の舞台に立つ！ 「Yakyuu buin, engeki no butai ni tatsu!」

Running Time: 102 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Setsuo Nakayama

Writer: Kazumi Suzuki, Shozo Katashima, Taiga Yamazaki, Hasebe Pro Winner, (Screenplay), Yumiko Takeshima (Original Novel),

Starring: Kento Hayashi, Yoshiko Miyazaki, Shunpei Kawagoishi, Anna Yamada, Moe Sasaki, Kyoka Shibata, Haruka Imo, Natsuki Tanaka,

IMDB Website

Synopsis: Set in Fukuoka Prefecture, we see the race to save a high school baseball team who should be on the verge of participating in the Koshien.

Shimanto inochi no shimai    

四万十　いのちの仕舞い 「Shimanto inochi no shimai」

Running Time: 108 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Masayuki Mizobuchi

Writer: N/A

Starring: N/A

Website

Synopsis: Shimanto, Kochi, this is the place where Nozomi Ogasawara practices medicine. This documentary is one of many that have followed him as he visits patients and talks to them to understand them better and bring them happiness.

Negai to yuragi    

願いと揺らぎ 「Negai to yuragi」

Running Time: 148 mins.

Release Date: February 24th, 2018

Director: Kazuki Agatsuma

Writer: N/A

Starring: N/A

Website

Synopsis: Horyo Valley in Minami Sanriku-cho, Miyagi Prefecture was one of the many areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and director Kazuki Agatsuma has chronicled the destruction and slow resurrection of the area in his documentary “Hadenya ni ikiru hitobito” and he returns a couple of years later to look at the progress with this film.

Here’s a list of films chronicling the Great East Japan Earthquake. I really need to resurrect it and fill in missing entries. Also creating a fiction/non-fiction list would be helpful.

The team behind the Osaka Asian Film Festival has released the entire programme of films that will play at this year’s edition and it’s a mighty cinematic feast spread across a Competition and programmes dedicated to Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, and other territories from elsewhere across Asia as well as Special Screenings, an Indie Forum, and films supported by the Housen Foundation.  

These films cover a huge range of stories from dramas involving people finding karate giving meaning to their lives, to a melancholy animated title about dogs to Taiwan. There are lots of fantastic Japanese short films and box-office hits and an appearance from Hong Kong’s king of comedy, Chapman To. He is the recipient of the Osaka Asia Star Award and will be at the festival to talk about his career. A new talent on the American indie-scene, Kogonoda, will get his film screened at the festival and there are up-and-coming female directors from Asia. More pertinently, there is a whole slew of fantastic Japanese indie films that have some of the best drama and settings. Most if not all of these films have English subs which makes this festival the best place in Japan to see films.

The entire programme and all details, times, and dates are online at the festival’s site and tickets are already on sale. Here is a preview covering the Japanese films:

The Osaka Asian Film Festival opens on Friday March 9th at Hankyu Umeda Hall with the Japanese premiere of the Korean film “Anarchist from the Colony”, directed by Lee Joon-ik (“The Throne” and “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet”). The Closing Film is the Word Premiere of Akihiro Toda’s “THE NAME (名前)” which will play at the ABC Hall on Sunday, March 18th.

In between the opening and closing films there are many sections:

COMPETITION

This section will present 15 films chosen from films completed on or after 1st October 2016 and unreleased in Japan. There will be a team of international jurors will choose the winners of the Grand Prix and Most Promising Talent Award.

There are a variety of films here from all across Asia with protest and romance films from Hong Kong and the Philippines, a revenge drama set in 80s Taiwan full of lust and land-grabs that result in murder and an animated film about dogs and their owners from Taiwan and so much more. There are many highlights but I’m interested in the Japanese and American film on the bill.

Bad Poetry Tokyo      

東京不穏詩 「Tōkyō fuon uta」

Running Time: 114 mins.

Release Date: 2018

Director: Anshul Chauhan

Writer: Anshul Chauhan, Rand Colter (Screenplay), Anshul Chauhan (Original Story)

Starring: Shuna Iijima, Orson Mochizuki, Takashi Kawaguchi, Nana Blank, Kohei Mashiba, Kento Furukoshi,

Website    IMDB

“Bad Poetry Tokyo” looks to be a stunning human drama with a style reminiscent of “The Light Shines Only There” (2014). It looks like it is lead by a powerful performance from lead actress Shuna Iijima who has to deal with heavy issues but the style suggests it is done with a grace.

Synopsis: Jun Fujita is 30 years old. She majored in English at Tokyo University. That is the lie she tells people when she applies for acting jobs. In reality, she works as a hostess at a shady club. Life hasn’t turned out the way she wanted when she escaped home back in Nagano Prefecture five years ago. Still, she dreams of being an actress and is about to touch her dream when she is betrayed by her lover and things go wrong at the club. Broken and made savage by the experience, she heads back to her sleepy hometown in the countryside to lick her wounds. Things haven’t changed much there and she reconnects with an old flame but there are ugly truths about her past that lurk beneath the surface …

The next film is American but it looks super special.

Columbus    

Running Time: 114 mins.

Release Date: August 04th, 2017

Director: Kogonada

Writer: Kogonada (Screenplay)

Starring: John Cho, Haley Lu Richardson, Parker Posey, Rory Culkin, Eren Allegretti,

IMDB

The word about this indie film is strong. Director Kogonoda began life as an academic and video essayist covering the likes of Yasujiro Ozu and Richard Linklater. He then decided to pick up the camera to make this film. Inspired by themes in the works of Yasujiro Ozu and modernist architecture, Kogonada’s film is a visual tour de force that combines the two, taking the location and using visual design to an exacting degree to create an environment, splendid to see, full of a wealth of characters given depth to their relationships as we see their troubles, complexities and growth and it all hinges upon the architecture of the town of Columbus, Indiana.

Synopsis: Prepare to take a trip to Columbus, Indiana, a small mid-western town famous for its Modernist structures designed by I.M. Pei, John Carl Warnecke, and Richard Meier. It is here that a Richard Linklater-like drama unfolds between two strangers, both of whom are architecture buffs.

Korean-American Jin arrives in town to look after his estranged father after the respected architecture professor falls into a coma. While there, he runs into Casey, a librarian looking after a troubled mother instead of pursuing her own dreams. The two slowly form a connection and through each other and find a way to build a new lives.

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

Again, there are lots of films here including what seems to be a political comedy set in the jungle of one of India’s out of the way states where Maoists are trying to derail a democratic vote. That one looks worth seeing. There are two films of note for the J-film fan, both are views of Japan from a foreigner’s perspective.

Passage of Life 

僕の帰る場所 「Boku no kaerubasho」

Running Time: 100 mins.

Release Date: November 25^th, 2017

Director:  Akio Fujimoto

Writer: Akio Fujimoto (Screenplay)

Starring: Kaung Myat Thu, Khin Myat Thu, Issace, Htet Myat Naing, Yuki Kitagawa, Kanji Tsuda,

IMDB Website

Japanese film-makers have built an impressive catalogue of titles that depict the effects of disaster and tragedy on children. Filmed with social realist style and with fantastic performances from untrained child actors, “Passage of Life” presents the uncomfortable reality of life as a refugee in Japan.

Fujimoto, a first-time feature film director, worked with non-professional actor and their efforts ensured the film won the Spirit of Asia Award, given by the Japan Foundation Asia Center at last year’s Tokyo International Film Festival.

Synopsis: “Passage of Life” is based on reality and shows the lives of a Burmese family that immigrated to Japan with no visa. Khin and her husband Issace have an uncertain home with their two boys, 7-year-old Kaung and his younger brother Htet. The boys were raised in Japan and are happy. Their parents are not.

Without the proper paperwork, a secure life is impossible and all hope lies with obtaining political refugee status which seems impossible to get in Japan. However, the stress is too much for Khin who is hospitalised with depression. She decides to take the kids back to Burma which is when the film switches focus to depict the inner struggles of Kaung who struggles with a great change in his environment and longs for the place he calls home: Japan.

Woozoo be Alright? 

あなたの宇宙は大丈夫ですか 「Anata no uchuu wa daijoubudesuka」

Running Time: 110 mins.

Release Date: 2018

Director: Baek Jae-ho, Lee Hee-seop

Writer:  Baek Jae-ho, Lee Hee-seop (Screenplay), 

Starring: Kang Doo, Haruna Hori, Ji Dae-han, Snou. Nagiko Tsuji, Takashi Sato, YOUKI, Olu Togun,

IMDB

Japan and Korea don’t always have the best diplomatic relations but the recent Winter Olympics and a whole bunch of films see creatives and sportspeople unite. This film sees the two nations work together thanks to music as friendship sprouts between Korean directors and Japanese actors.

Shot in many neighbourhoods in Osaka and featuring Japanese and Korean artists such as Lucid Fall, Soul Cry, Kandu, Lee Jong-on, and Hero-Sway, the film looks to have a lively and lovely soundtrack and pleasant characters who are a joy to be around. This is an excellent example of how a film and a festival can unite two countries. 

Synopsis: When his boss Daejung goes missing in a ship accident, the company sends Woozoo to Osaka to finish his business. On his last day in the city, Woozoo chases someone who looks exactly like Daejung to Taisho, an area in Osaka. He ends up losing him, but the sound of a guitar draws Woozoo to a small bar, Pier 34. Its owner, Snou, somehow reminds him of Daejung, and listening to his music brings back memories. After passing out right there, Woozoo ends up missing his flight back to Korea. He quits his job on a whim and soon meets Haruna, who is learning how to play the guitar from Snou. Woozoo decides to stay at Pier 34 until he finds Daejung and so begins an unlikely vacation for him.

INDIE FORUM

This is where the wealth of Japanese films are located. This program will present 14 films (7 features and 7 shorts) by new innovative and challenging talents. The JAPAN CUTS AWARD will be bestowed by Japan Society to one selected Japanese film from this section. There are so many fantastic-looking shorts in this section and some powerful features. Indeed, judging by the trailers, everything looks and sounds awesome. Storywise, there’s everything from romance to feminist dramas. Let’s go!

Ordinary Everyday

優しい日常 「Yasashii Nichijou」

Running Time: 27 mins.

Release Date: February 03rd, 2018

Director: Noriko Yuasa

Writer: Noriko Yuasa, Rie Mashiko (Screenplay),

Starring: Shin’nosuke Abe, Tamae Ando, Karin Ono, Motohiko Kawano, Eito Suda,

Website IMDB
This special gem was originally part of the omnibus movie “Kuruibana” (2017) but has taken on a life of its own and it is filled with shocks and fantastic style. This has to be one of the highlights of the festival. Director Noriko Yuasa has used inventive sound and visual design to create what looks to be a great thriller!

Synopsis: Mr Tsuda is a handsome teacher who is coaching a dance club. Concerned about one injured member, Ami, he visits her home in the middle of Tokyo. What he finds is a bright and bubbly schoolgirl with a seemingly perfect family living an idealised ordinary everyday life. She lives in a well-furnished home with Kanako, her lovely-looking mother, and Sho, her cute brother. Ami’s father is missing but nobody talks about him.

Everyone has smiles on their faces. Tsuda finds the mother’s smile is especially inviting and pretty soon his thoughts start straying to parent-teacher relations. What he doesn’t realise is that this is a two-faced family who lead anything but a very ordinary life.

The Path Leading to Love

アイニ向カッテ 「Ai ni Mukatte」

Running Time: 76 mins.

Release Date: 2018

Director: Kohei Takayama

Writer: Kohei Takayama (Screenplay),

Starring: Ippei Tanaka, Yumi Mukai, Mika Dehara, Suzuka Minagawa, Koichi Sakaguchi,

The word minimalist could be used with this trailer. There are no big dramatics and with a combination of subdued but powerful lighting and set design, one character’s battle with alcoholism will be powerfully told through encounters with the human wreckage he leaves behind.

Synopsis: Shosuke could be a promising manga artist but his alcoholism pushes away his desire to work. It also pushed away his ex-girlfriend Sawako and threatens his relationship with his current partner Yasuko. Perhaps it is an escape from a deeper question he has: whether love is real or not. Haunted by his failings with these two women, he drifts along in life but when he gets a call from his sister in his home town that their mother is ill, Shosuke must confront whether the questions and problems he has are all an excuse for his selfishness. Perhaps the potential absence of the ones who care for him will force him to walk a path leading to love…

Still Life of Memories 

スティルライフオブメモリーズ 「Sutiru Raifu obu Memori-zu」

Running Time: 107 mins.

Release Date: July 21st, 2018

Director: Hitoshi Yazaki

Writer: Masa Asanishi, Akira Ito (Screenplay), Inuhiko Yomota ‘Eizo Yori’ (Original Novel),

Starring: Masanobu Ando, Natsuko Haru, Rima Matsuda, Vivienne Sato, Kiyomi Ito, Inuhiko Yomota,

IMDB

Hitoshi Yazaki will probably be most familiar to Westerners for his last film, “A Cappella” which appeared at places like Nippon Connection and Japan Cuts. I first encountered him with this clip for “March Comes in Like a Lion” (1991):

He is an indie veteran whose return is being greeted with anticipation and his latest film will get people hot under the collar since it is all about a photography shoot which may, or may not, be erotic. It is inspired by Henri Maccheroni’s scandalous relationship with his lover/muse which became the collection of work, ‘Cent photographies choisies dans la serie Deux mille photographies du sexe d’une femme’.

Synopsis: Haruma is an up-and-coming photographer who is getting full exposure at a photo exhibition in a Tokyo photo gallery. Rei, a beautiful curator at the Yamanashi Prefectural Art Museum, is fascinated by the photos she sees and calls Haruma to request a photo-shoot with an intimate part of herself as the subject. The only rules to this shoot are that no questions must be asked and Rei will be given the negatives. Haruma is initially surprised but goes along with the job, however, Haruma’s pregnant girlfriend Natsuki grows frustrated over being kept in the dark about their work and jealousy develops in their relationship as passions blow up.

CYCLE-CYCLE 「Dir: Junichi Kanai, 18 mins, 2017」 This is a comedy about two high school boys who start a bicycle trip around Japan on a tandem before splitting up. One of the pair, Junpei, decides to keep going and picks up a hitch-hiker named Mitsuru. They both head to Mitsuru’s grandfather’s house but what they find is a dead body in a room…

The Garden Apartment

ガーデンアパート 「Ga-den Apa-to」

Running Time: 77 mins.

Release Date: 2018

Director: Umi Ishihara

Writer: Umi Ishihara (Screenplay),

Starring: Yukari Shinomiya, Kaori Takeshita, Kiyoshiro Ishida, Yu Suzumura,

Umi Ishihara is an artist whose award-winning work has been featured around the world from Brazil to Australia and Japan. Some words straight from her website:

“The major themes of her work centre around love, personal memories and society. Her work adopts a mix of documentary and fiction, muddying the waters of believability.”

The trailer looks punkish and her themes are perfect fodder for drama.

Synopsis: Hikari has just gotten pregnant with Taro who is cohabiting with her. Their relationship seems to be floundering because, since both have graduated from university, they have had trouble finding employment. As financial problems emerge, so do further relationship problems. Taro has a secret. He relies on his aunt Kyoko who has been acting strangely since she lost her husband at a young age. When Hikari meets her for the first time, it seems they may not get along but Hikari starts to visit Kyoko in secret and is introduced to a world where young people are free to act out their wild side. This could spell doom for her relationship with Taro…

Who Knows about My Life 「Dir: Teppei Isobe, 27 mins, 2017」Ever wondered what the pressures of being single at 40 is like? Visit Junko Takarada, a beautiful and intelligent woman who was having a fruitless affair with her boss until he turned his attention to Rika, Junko’s cuter and younger subordinate. With bleak romantic prospects haunting her, Junko gets relief from a surprising source… a paper airplane comes flying into her life. When she opens it she sees a marriage notification but with only the side containing the male column filled in. Junko thought that a strange man had written the notification out and sent it flying, hoping to rely on destiny to connect him with someone. Gathering up all of the courage in her heart, she visits the address written in the marriage notification…

Tourism

Running Time: 77 mins.

Release Date: 2018

Director: Daisuke Miyazaki

Writer: Daisuke Miyazaki (Screenplay),

Starring: Nina Endo, Sumire, Takayuki Yanagi,

IMDB
Nina Endo, one of the stars of Daisuke Miyazaki’s last film “Yamato (California)” takes the lead once again with SUMIRE, a popular fashion model and the daughter of Tadanobu Asano. They look like they make a cute double-act allowing Miyazaki to show an unseen side of urban Singapore not often witnessed by tourists. The trailer has a weird other-wordly feel to it thanks to the music and there’s a slight documentary feel thanks to direct to camera interviews.

Synopsis: Nina and Su live uninspiring lives in Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture but when the two best friends win a free trip abroad, a different locale might usher in some excitement. They use their tickets to head to Singapore, a cosmopolitan city not too different from Japan. At first, the girls travel around famous sightseeing spots on a typical itinerary, but when Nina loses her smartphone, she finds true freedom as she explores unfamiliar places, sees unfamiliar sights, and hears unfamiliar sounds. Her unforgettable adventure in Singapore starts.

The Sower      

種をまく人  「Tane o maku hito」    

Running Time: 117 mins.

Release Date: 2016

Director: Yosuke Takeuchi

Writer: Yosuke Takeuchi (Screenplay)

Starring: Kentaro Kishi, Suzuno Takenaka, Tomomitsu Adachi, Arisa Nakajima, Ichika Takeuchi,

IMDB           Website

Yosuke Takeuchi is something of an artist and his story was inspired by elements from his own life such as a niece with special needs and his thoughts on how society treats people who are different. His biggest inspiration, however, is the life of Vincent van Gogh and how the artist lived a humble and naive life to the full. That story is reflected in one of the main characters, the titular “Sower”.

Reviews for this paint an incredibly strong drama.

Synopsis: Mitsuo was one of those brave souls who answered the call for volunteers to clear out the debris left behind by the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. The strain of the task proved to be too much and he spent three years in psychiatric care. Upon his release, Mitsuo finds solace in reuniting with his brother and his nieces Chie and Itsuki. But a tragic accident soon disrupts the newly found happiness when the two girls are left in his care and Itsuki is killed. Though he had no direct involvement in the incident, Mitsuo is blamed and this causes him and the people around him to deal with the burden of guilt and the struggle for atonement.

KUSHINA, what will you be

クシナ 「Kushina」

Running Time: 68 mins.

Release Date: 2018

Director: Moët Hayami

Writer: Moët Hayami (Screenplay),

Starring: Miyuki Ono, Tomona Hirota, Yayoi Inamoto, Ikumi Satake, Suguru Onuma,

Website
The trailer for “Kushina” shows a visually and aurally beautiful drama which is just fantastic to look at. The story has elements of feminism that offers a vision of an idealised community with doses of realism over the workings of the world and gender relations to provide tension as we see whether a female-only community fragments or not and what will happen to the titular character.

Synopsis: Deep in the mountains, hidden in a forest, there is a village populated only by women who ran away from home to commit suicide in the area. It was founded by Onikuma, a strong-willed yet kind-hearted mother and village head-woman who fled from the city with her daughter, Kagu who was 14-years-old and pregnant with the titular Kushina.

Kagu is now 28 and Kushina is 14.She was born and raised in a very simple, sparse and isolated environment where the women they live with survive off the land and harvest cannabis to sell to the outside world. This contact is mediated by Onikuma who protects the place and all who dwell in it. All is well until an anthropologist named Soko Kazano and her male assistant Keita discover the village. Their presence causes disruption and promises the change all of their lives forever.

Girl Returned 「Dir: Satoru Hirohara, 44 mins, 2017」deals with what could be quite a horrific situation as it tells the story of 15-year-old Misaki Fujino who was kidnapped when she was out jogging and held imprisoned in the apartment of a man for two years. Following her rescue by the police, she is allowed back to her home but the experience has left her not knowing what to do except go out jogging again. The film goes to lengths to show the impact of the crime on the girl and her family and those who were connected to her and offers audiences a realistic and maybe hopeful resolution because life carries on and one must not be beaten down.

NAGISA

なぎさ 「Nagisa」

Running Time: 18 mins.

Release Date: June 17^th, 2017

Director: Takeshi Kogahara

Writer: Takeshi Kogahara (Screenplay),

Starring: Kenshin Endo, Himeka Asami,

IMDB
Explorations of first love are a dime a dozen but each can be special and the trailer hints at it.

Synopsis: Do you remember your first love?

Conversations happen all the time but some are unforgettable. Such is the case for Fuminao, a teenage boy in love with the titular Nagisa. It is the height of summer and the two sit on the edge of the school pool, Fuminao, sensitive and quiet, his classmate, the playful and coy Nagisa. As they watch their classmates swim, they begin to talk. She coaxes feelings out of the boy but remains illusive as he struggles to verbalise them. Their conversation may be as brief as the cicadas but the feelings he has for her will dominate his thoughts and she will stay with him forever.

Here and Here　

憧れ 「Akogare」

Running Time: 20 mins.

Release Date: 2017

Director: Yoshimasa Jimbo

Writer: Yoshimasa Jimbo (Screenplay),

Starring: Heo Rynn, Heo Min-kyung, Lee Yoon-sun, Lee Hae-soon,

Busan, the city famous for its film festival, becomes a star in its own right in this short film from Yoshimasa Jimbo as we follow a pregnant woman around on her job as a magazine reporter. We experience the daily beats of the city, riding subways to cinemas and from down-town markets to the suburbs with their temples. Our focus is one woman but the life around her fills the frame as well as the city and its many residents are given a chance to shine.

Synopsis: Mina is a writer for a magazine and, despite being seven-months pregnant, she is stomping the streets of Busan for an article. Her assignment is collecting people’s first memories through a series of interviews. Behind her smiles, she is anxious about what giving birth feels like. Through her work meeting the people of Busan, maybe her fears will be settled.

As we follow Mina around, director JIMBO Yoshimasa allows us to experience the daily beats of the city, riding subways to cinemas and from downtown markets to the suburbs with their temples. Our focus is one woman but the life around her fills the frame as well and we see a celebration of Busan.

Housen

Based in Osaka, the Housen Cultural Foundation supports film study and production in graduate schools. This program will show the films supported by the Housen Cultural Foundation. One of the films, “Girl Returned,” has been selected for the Indie Forum section. I reviewed all but one of last year’s Housen films (that’s an overview article with links to everything) and this year’s titles are interesting.

Filled With Steam

湯気満ちて 「Yuge michite 」

Running Time: 30 mins.

Release Date: 2018

Director: Rina Tanaka

Writer: Rina Tanaka (Screenplay), 

Starring: Ayako Mizuno, Takehito Sato, Yoko, Shigeru Harihara, Hisato Hayashi,Synopsis: Midoriko Ito works at a flower shop and is married to Daisuke but this couple live separate lives without realising it. Daisuke isn’t the salaryman he pretends to be while Midoriko is visiting a dubious “pregnancy classroom” without telling him. They are unable to talk to each other and as time goes on their relationship becomes stifling. When the two are forced to confront the various secrets fraying the bond of their intertwined lives, what will be the result?

The gap between a fantasy and reality is analysed here as a seemingly happy young couple look at the substance of their relationship in this bittersweet dramedy.

Protest  

Running Time: 30 mins.

Release Date: 2018

Director: Yasutaka Tajiri

Writer:  Yasutaka Tajiri (Screenplay), 

Starring: Kentaro Taura, Rei Murakami, Yui Suzue

Synopsis: A man appears in a Protestant church that exists in a certain rural town in Japan. He states, “After the death of my mother, the voice of God has come to be heard”. What is his deal? The pastor of the church will have to find out.

The festival will come to an end with the closing film:

CLOSING FILM

The Name    

名前 「Namae」

Running Time: 114 mins.

Release Date: 2018

Director: Akihiro Toda

Writer: Yusuke Moriguchi (Screenplay), Shusuke Michio (Original Story)

Starring: Kanji Tsuda, Ren Komai, Miho Kanazawa, Mako Komaki, Akari Kakimoto, Noriko Kijima, Yohta Kawase, Mayuko Nishiyama, Mariko Tsutsui,

IMDB

Synopsis: Moriya city in Ibaraki is a quiet place with residents who lead simple lives. Everyone, apart from a lonely angst-ridden bachelor named Masao Nakamura. Since losing his business and becoming penniless, he has adopted multiple identities to get by: Yoshikawa, a big businessman, Suzuki, the happy family man, Okubo, the doting husband who quit Tokyo to look after a sick wife. When his ruse about the sick wife is about to be exposed as a lie at work, a schoolgirl named Emiko Hayama steps in from out of nowhere and pretends to be his daughter.

Emiko is another person who loves to lie. Instead of facing a lonely home run by a single-mother, the girl hangs out with Masao and the pair strike up a friendship. It fills a gap in their lives but their lies hinder them from overcoming inner-turmoil. At some point a fake dad and a fake daughter will have to face their suffering in order to move on.

“THE NAME” is a gentle dramedy film by the director Akihiro Toda who is known for “Neko ni mikan” He is active as a theatre director, scriptwriter and producer. The film’s script was adapted from a story by Naoki Prize-winning author MICHIO Shusuke Michio and the film stars Kanji Tsuda, a veteran actor who appears
in both the mainstream and independent film industries, and Ren Komai, “kokoronifukukaze”. The cinematographer is Kenichi Negishi, who is a regular collaborator with  Koji Fukada.

This is a strong line-up of films from Japan which I hope to review so stay tuned. I also hope to see you there at the event. Say hi, if you happen to meet me!

Love and Other Cults   

獣道　「Kemonomichi」

Running Time: 95 mins

Release Date: March 26th, 2018

Director:  Eiji Uchida

Writer: Eiji Uchida (Screenplay),

Starring: Sairi Ito, Kenta Suga, Kaito Yoshimura, Hidenobu Abera, Antony, Denden, Hanae Kan, Leona Hirota, Tomoko Hayakawa,

Website IMDB

Not every romance is clean and tidy but the latest film from Eiji Uchida, director of Greatful Dead (2014) and Lowlife Love (2016) is the messiest and grimiest one you will see without Takashi Miike levels of gore and craziness involved. This story of star-crossed lovers is, however, everyday crazy as we see the lowest of Japanese society try and claw their way out of small town criminality and exploitation.

The film’s central couple are Ai (Sairi Itoh) and Ryota (Kenta Suga). The two meet in school and sparks start flying almost immediately but their passion is of the confrontational kind where arguments flare up. Unable to recognise love or express it, they part ways and meet up again at various points in their lives. The reason for their fractious relationship is that neither has had a stable home. We get Ai’s story for the most part and glimpses of Ryota’s while he also offers narration over the entire film which acts like a Greek chorus summing up what has gone wrong for the characters. Indeed, Ai’s story is one of constant tragedy and a search for a family.

She gets off to an inauspicious start thanks to a religious-maniac mother who sticks her in a cult and then she lands with a gang of drug-users and high-school dropouts. Things get better with a traditional nuclear family before she loses things again. Throughout every “family”, she is exploited in some way but she also tries to exploit her own gifts to remain part of the fabric of other people’s lives, whether it is by physical means or a talent such as cooking. When her character uses her physicality, it speaks of how her sense of self and her position in society are warped from previous encounters. From the get-go, she uses pain to attract attention and, when she grows old enough and has been groomed by others, she sees her physical body as a vessel to find happiness.   

While she bounces around different environments, Ryota follows a similar path as he falls in with a gang of wannabe yakuza only he is never sexualised to the extent that Ai is. He is physically brutalised which is shown in unglamorous fight scenes where everyday objects are utilised as weapons or fists and kicks are the preferred method of beating someone. Initially adding doses of comedy as dull characters get struck, the film builds in seriousness as the world of gangs gets explored. The constant throughout everything is that what Ai goes through is a sexual hazing that is unpleasant to watch but the most troubling fate is handed to Reika (Hanae Kan), an underwater photographer, who is punished for dating Kenta (Anthony), the leader of Ryota’s gang. Her treatment and ending is disappointing especially because her relationship with Kenta acts as an interesting and more hopeful counterpoint to Ai and Ryota’s and the two have a good chemistry together which takes the film out of the filth for just a moment.

Overall, while the physical surroundings of the characters are a believably miserable mess, Eiji Uchida’s writing is skilful enough to show its emotional impact as he orchestrates a large number of character arcs neatly and efficiently. No scene or sequence drags and every second counts for something and every story seems to reach a natural conclusion with doses of black humour from the character interactions and individual’s quirks. The sprightly rhythm and quirky humour make the film slightly less darker than Eiji Uchida’s earlier works such as “Grateful Dead” and “Lowlife Love” and there is a little hope as we see a generation of kids coping with exploitation and betrayals from their elders and pushing through.

This film represents a look into the under-seen side of Japan and it’s low-budget grungy nature gives it an uncomfortable set of circumstances but a fresh down-at-heel vibe as small city Japan is put on screen and the characters venture around those less-than nice areas tucked away from the main roads and shotengai that surround JR stations. Cinematography is by Maki Ito who has worked on Sion Sono’s latest films and the lensing and camerawork is stable, crisp, and controlled and the fact it mostly takes place during bright sunny days changes the atmosphere. There are even beautiful shots such as a trip to Mount Fuji and Reika and Kenta and their experiences diving. The visuals also allow the viewer to pick out sight gags left by set-designers such as calligraphy and graffiti with words and phrases tied to themes of the film and, most importantly, the actors giving good performances.

“Love and Other Cults” actually works as a great partner for “Destruction Babies” as a way of showing the grimier side of Japanese society done via low-budget film-makers. Uchida’s film stands out for its sunnier disposition thanks to its central heroine.

Happy Weekend, People!

This is my first trailer post from Japan. The last time I was in the country, I didn’t have the time or energy to do them because of constant activity but good experiences and good people motivated me to get back into the game and it has been fun putting this one together. After this is posted, I will head out to explore some cities. And write. I made the mistake of catching a train at rush hour last night and got stuck in a corner, desperately writing review notes with my pen and pad while I travelled back to my room.

I have had a busy week since getting here but spent the weekend prepping reviews for the upcoming Osaka Asian Film Festival. I posted an article about the Japanese films that will be playing and I’m looking forward to seeing what is on offer. My second post was a review of “Love and Other Cults” (2017) which is released on DVD/Blu-ray in the UK on March 26^th by Third Window Films.

What is released this weekend in Japan?

Ice Cream and the Sound of Raindrops

アイスと雨音 「Aisu to Amaoto」   

Running Time: 74 mins.

Release Date: 2018

Director:  Daigo Matsui

Writer: Daigo Matsui (Screenplay),

Starring: Taketo Tanaka, Guama, Yuzu Aoki, Kokoro Morita, Jotaro Tozuka, Kazumasa Kadoi, Mimori Wakasugi, Reiko Tanaka, Momoha,

IMDB Website JFDB

Daigo Matsui or “How Selfish I Am!” (2013) and “Japanese Girls Never Die” (2016)  fame showed this at the Tokyo International Film Festival last year.

Synopsis: In 2017, a stage performance is scheduled in a small town. The young actors are to present British playwright Simon Stephens’ “Morning” for the first time in Japan. The savage play has been attracting attention in the theatre world for its story of a violent act by two best friends. The performance is suddenly cancelled, but one actress suggests they continue rehearsing. For a month, the young actors struggle between reality and fiction, as well as between film and the stage, and their story is captured in a single 74-minute shot. The music is played live in the film by rap group MOROHA.

Ikiru Machi    

生きる街 「Ikiru Machi」

Running Time: 124 mins.

Release Date: March 03rd, 2018

Director: Hideo Sakaki

Writer: Inochi Akiyama, Masashi Shimizu (Screenplay)

Starring: Mari Natsuki, Aimi Satsukawa, Arata Horii, Lee Jong-Hyun, Maya Okano, Hisashi Yoshizawa, Hideko Hara, Rio Uchida, Takumi Saito,Chise Niitsu

Website IMDB

Hideo Sakaki has many acting credits to his name including “The Suicide Manual” (2003), “Versus” (2000) and “Ju-On” (2002) but he is also a talented director as eidenced by his films such as “Disregarded People” (2014) and “Kiyamachi Daruma” (2016) and his recent, critically lauded drama, “Alley Cat” (2017). The titles listed have all been hard-hitting dramas and horror movies. This one looks to be a more sentimental piece.

Synopsis: The Great East Japan Earthquake changed the lives of many people. One family in Ishinomaki suffered the disappearance of a father, a fisherman, leaving a mother named Chieko (Mari Natsuki) to raise a son and daughter alone.

Do-Hyun (Lee Jong-Hyjn), a South Korean man who once lived in Ishinomaki, returns to the town and gets in contact with Chieko, telling her that he knows something about her husband…

Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple   

文豪ストレイドッグス DEAD APPLE 「Bungo Sutorei Doggusu DEAD APPLE」

Running Time: 90 mins.

Release Date: March 03rd, 2018

Director:  Takuya Igarashi

Writer: Kafka Asagiri, Yoji Enokido (Screenplay), Kafka Asagiri, Sango Harukawa (Original Creator)

Starring: Kensho Ono (Ryunosuke Akutagawa), Mamoru Miyano (Osamu Dazai), Hiroshi Kamiya (Ranpo Edogawa), Yu Shimamura (Akiko Yosano), Chiaki Omigawa (Naomi Tanizaki), Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Junichiro Tanizaki),

Animation Production: BONES

Website ANN MAL

Synopsis: The Armed Detective Agency is called out to investigate the strange deaths of power users around the world. Their only clue is that a strange fog appears on the scene and a lead on a man named, Tatsuhik Shibusawa aka “The Collector”…

Eiga Doraemon Nobita no Takarajima    

映画ドラえもん　のび太の宝島 「Doraemon: Nobita no Takarajima」

Running Time: 109 mins.

Release Date: March 03rd, 2018

Director:  Kazuaki Imai

Writer: Genki Kawamura (Screenplay), Fujiko F. Fujio, Robert Louis Stevenson (Original Creator)

Starring: Megumi Oohara (Nobita), Wasabi Mizuta (Doraemon), Daiki Yamashita (Flock), Fumiko Orikasa (Sarah), Yo Oizumi (Captain Silver), Manami Nagasawa (Fiona),

Animation Production: Shin-Ei Animation

Website ANN MAL

Synopsis: The film is inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, Treasure Island. The titular time-travelling cat Doraemon and his human friends Nobita, Shizuka, Gian, and Suneo set sail on the Caribbean Sea when Nobita becomes the captain of a ship and fights various enemies on board. However, Shizuka gets kidnapped and the crew find a storm stops their journey but with Doraemon by their side, they are able to continue forward and eventually land on the mysterious Treasure Island, they discover it is more than just an ordinary island.

Kamen Rider EX-AID: Another Ending Part III – Kamen Rider Genm vs. Lazer   

仮面ライダーエグゼイド　トリロジー　アナザー・エンディング PartIII 仮面ライダーゲンムVSレーザー 「Kamen Raida- Eguzeido Toriroji- Anaza- Endingu Part III Kamen Raidā Genmu tai Rēzā」

Running Time: 56 mins.

Release Date: January 27^th, 2018

Director: Nobuhiro Suzumura

Writer: Yuya Takashi (Screenplay), Shotaro Ishinomori (Original Creator)

Starring: Toshiki Seto, Ruka Matsuda, Yurina Yanagi, Reina Kurosaki, Hayato Onozuka, Tetsuya Iwanaga,

Website
The third part of the Kamen Rider Ex-Aid V-Cinema trilogy focusing on the characters of Kuroto Dan/Kamen Rider Genm and Kiriya Kujo/Kamen Rider Lazer..

Synopsis from Kamen Rider wikia: Genm has awoken! Dan Kuroto has obtained the God Maximum Mighty X and the world falls into the chaos that is Zombie Chronicle. Kiriya has found the key to face the power that not even Muteki can overcome and after receiving a certain message from Masamune, he faces Genm. What will become of these two and of the world?

Omotenashi   

おもてなし 「Omotenashi」

Running Time: 96 mins.

Release Date: March 03rd, 2018

Director: Jay Chern

Writer: Jay Chern, Mami Sunada (Screenplay)

Starring: Rena Tanaka, Mina Fujii, Edison Wang, Kyoko Kagawa, Tae Kimura, Hidekazu Mashima, Kimiko Yo, Munetaka Aoki,

Website IMDB

“Omotenashi” was recently revealed to be one of the two opening films of the 42nd Hong Kong International Film Festival which launches on March 19th. It was directed by the Taiwanese-American filmmaker Jay Chern “Dawn/Spring” (2014) and “Warmth” (2016) who wrote the screenplay alongside Mami Sunada, the documentarian famous for “End Note: Death of a Japanese Salaryman” (2011) and “The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness” (2013). Rena Tanaka of “Dreans for Sale” (2012) and “Dear Etranger” (2017) is one of the lead actors.

Synopsis: Bright Moon Ryokan is a traditional inn located on the outskirts of Kyoto. When it is acquired by the innkeeper’s Taiwanese former lover, she must welcome his son who has travelled to supervise the “renovation”, believing that he is turning the place into a wedding venue. That’s not what he has in mind… The innkeeper suggests that the son learns “omotenashi”, the virtue of traditional Japanese hospitality, together with her daughter. Through their interaction, these two people from two different cultures will navigate issues of relationships and life and find a unique appreciation for things old and new.

Principal – Koi Suru Watashi wa Heroine Desu Ka?   

プリンシパル　恋する私はヒロインですか？ 「Purinshiparu Koisuru Watashi wa Hiroin desuka?」

Running Time: 112 mins.

Release Date: March 03rd, 2018

Director: Tetsuo Shinohara

Writer: Yukiko Mochiji (Screenplay), Ryo Ikuemi (Original Manga)

Starring: Yuina Kuroshima, Nozumu Kotaki, Mahiro Takasugi, Rina Kawaei, Tomohiro Ichikawa, Sawa Suzuki, Miho Shiraishi, Kumi Nakamura,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Shima Sumitomo (Yuina Kuroshima) lives with her mother following her parents’ divorce but when she finds her stepfather makes her uncomfortable, she heads to Hokkaido where her father lives. She enrols in a new school where she meets classmates Gen Tatebayashi (Nozomu Kotaki) and Wao Sakurai (Mahiro Takasugi), two super handsome and popular boys. Indeed, they are so handsome and popular that there is a rule: “Gen and Wao are for everyone”. Shima begins to get closer to the boys…

Anata wa watashijanai    

あなたはわたしじゃない 「Anata wa watashijanai」

Running Time: 90 mins.

Release Date: March 03rd, 2018

Director: Kei Shichiri

Writer: Ryoji Suzuki (Screenplay)

Starring: Izumi Oyanagi, Yoko Chosokabe, Ikuyo Kuroda, Tomoko Ando, Misaki Kudo, Masumi Hara,

Website

Kei Shichiri, director of “Once Upon a Dream” (2017) which was screened at Japan Cuts last year, is back with a new experimental work.

Synopsis: A woman in a room offers a monologue which provides the basis for the appearance of various people who could be memories or mere fragments of her imagination.

Life Goes On    

一陽来復 Life Goes On 「Ichiyouraifuku Life Goes On」

Running Time: 81 mins.

Release Date: March 03rd, 2018

Director: Mia Yoon

Writer: N/A

Starring: Norika Fujiwara, Koichi Yamadera (Narration)

Website IMDB

Synopsis: This is a documentary looking at the people of Iwate si years on from the Great East Japan Earthquake. A farmer who works near a nuclear power plant, a couple who lost their children, and a child growing up in the area.

Ghost Squad    

ゴーストスクワッド 「Go-suto Sukuwaddo」

Running Time: 106 mins.

Release Date: March 03rd, 2018

Director: Noboru Iguchi

Writer: Noboru Iguchi (Screenplay)

Starring: Anna Yanagi, Minori Mikada, Yuni Hong, Sumire Ueno – The NOMAKES girls), Asaka Nakamura,

Website IMDB

Idol girls, NO MAKES, step into the film world with Noboru Iguchi of “Mutant Girls Squad” (2010) and “The Machine Girl” (2008) fame. It looks less cool than those films but who knows, maybe it is a cult classic in the making. Two trailers. The top one plays up the sex and “serious” story while the second one direct from the idol girl’s company plays up the silliness especially with the music and narrator’s fantastic performance. Cue references to 80s horror movie while groovy music plays.

Here’s a video from an event they held on Friday.

Synopsis: There’s not much. Some girls are killed by evil boys and come back as the Ghost Squad to get their revenge.

Basuketto to Boku!   

バケツと僕！ 「Basuketto to Boku!」

Running Time: 106 mins.

Release Date: March 03rd, 2018

Director: Kazuhiko Ishida

Writer: Yukinori Kitajima (Original Work), Kazuhiko Ishida, Yukinori Kitajima, Kota Yamada, Masatoshi Takayama (Screenplay)

Starring: Hiroki, Yuki Tokunaga, Rei Okamoto, Yuka Takeshima, Terumi Niki,

Website

The singer, Yuki Tokunaga “Fuku-chan of Fukufuku Flats” (2014), takes a daring lead role in this drama about a guy with mental disabilities.

Synopsis: A boy with the nickname of basket has learning disabilities. Abused by his mother and bullies since he was a child, things haven’t been easy for him and they look even more bleak as he is at risk of being kicked out of the facility looking after him until a kind teacher starts to look out for him.

Ramen Kuitee   

ラーメン食いてぇ！ 「Basuketto to Boku!」

Running Time: 106 mins.

Release Date: March 03rd, 2018

Director: Yuki Kumagai

Writer: Yuki Kumagai (Screenplay), Akiteru Hayashi (Original Manga),

Starring: Renji Ishibashi, Reiko Kataoka, Yurika Nakamura, Kenji Mizuhashi, Wakana Aoi, Takayuki Takuma, Matsumi Fuku, Jin Katagiri, Yumi Morio,

Website IMDB

Ramen is life for the people in this film. It looks slight based on the premise but the trailer shows a well-shot film with some heartfelt acting from new talents like Reiko Kataoka and Yurika Nakamura, who have been paired up with the highly experienced Renji Ishibashi. I had a go at making soba noodles and the training sequences are no lie: it’s a skill that you have to spend time cultivating.

Synopsis: Marie (Yurika Nakamura) has attempted suicide. Akahoshi (Jin Katagiri) has had an accident in the middle of the Xinjiang Uygur province of China and ramen master Akashi (Renji Ishibashi) has just lost his wife. The desire for perfect ramen keeps them going through tough times.

Living the Game   

リビング ザ ゲーム 「Ribingu Za Ge-mu」

Running Time: 88 mins.

Release Date: March 03rd, 2018

Director: Takao Gotsu

Writer: N/A

Starring: Daigo Umehara, Momochi, Luffy, Justin Wong, Gamerbee, Chocolate Blanka,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: The fighting game community has exploded over the last decade with lucrative tournaments playing host to video gamers showcasing their skills on the likes of Street Fighter, Guilty Gear, Smash Brothers, and a myriad of other titles where the likes of Daigo Umehara make history by pulling off unbelievable blocks and parries, kicks and counter-blows and so on in colourful fighting games. For the non-gamers out there, this documentary takes you into the world of video games and the celebrities that make money living the games they play.

Before We Vanish (English Title) / Strolling Invader (Literal Title)  

 散歩する侵略者 「Sanpo suru Shinryakusha」

Running Time: 129 mins.

Release Date: September 09th , 2017

Director:  Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Writer: Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Screenplay), Tomohiro Maekawa (Original Stageplay),

Starring: Ryuhei Matsuda, Masami Nagasawa, Mahiro Takasugi, Yuri Tsunematsu, Hiroki Hasegawa,

Website IMDB

Kiyoshi Kurosawa is often pigeon-holed as a horror director with ghosts lurking in the darkness but his latest title, Before We Vanish is his first alien invasion movie and features the threat in broad daylight. Based on a stageplay by Tomohiro Maekawa which was first performed in 2005, this film appeared at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and has had a dorama spin-off. A glib comparison might be Invasion of the Body Snatchers, as aliens travel to Earth and take human hosts but in this chat-pocalypse the tension is dialled down for a surprisingly effective examination of what it means to be human with surprising results that may or may not stop the end of humanity.

Somewhere in Shizuoka, freelance designer Narumi (Masami Nagasawa) and her salaryman husband Shinji Kase (Ryuhei Matsuda) are having problems of the marital sort. He is suspected of cheating and has recently disappeared so when Narumi is summoned to a hospital to pick him up she is furious. However, the man facing her in the doctor’s office seems like a totally different person, a blank slate with vague memories of his life and a problem knowing how to navigate social situations and even use his body properly. Things learned over time have been shorn away from him including the basic meaning behind various ideas such as possession, family, and love. He wants to learn these things and so he asks Narumi to be his guide. When she isn’t around, he likes to go for a walk and talk to random people and get their understanding of a situation or word. What happens next reveals his alien nature as he engages in a game of word association. He gently questions people until he actually sees the ideas visually forming in their head and, once that happens, he touches the person’s forehead and plucks the idea away, learning a new concept while erasing it from the speaker. Sinec he’s an alien, it is how he learns what makes humans work.

After so many relationship problems, Narumi is surprised by her kinder and gentler man who tries to understand her more. What she doesn’t know is that she has the easier alien to deal with.

Across town, a brutal murder of a family has been committed with dismembered limbs and viscera everywhere. A trail of bloody chaos leads to a school girl named Akira Tachibana (Yuri Tsunematsu). If Shinji is gentle in nature and looking at emotions, the alien inhabiting Akira is the complete opposite: ruthless, brutal, and quite interested in finding out what makes humans physically tick. She has picked up martial art skills and an appetite for destruction. Seedy tabloid journalist Sakurai (Hiroki Hasegawa) is sent to cover her murderous mayhem around the time he meets another alien, a nonchalant teenage boy named Amano (Mahiro Takasugi). Sakurai, initially sceptical about spacemen and thought-stealers decides to hang out with the two teens and discovers he has a major scoop: it’s all real and there’s an alien invasion about to kick-off. What all of these characters don’t know is that they are being hunted by agents from the Health Ministry.

With the players on the pitch, they are all set in motion chasing and evading each other.

Throughout his filmography Kiyoshi Kurosawa has often flitted between genres and sometimes combined them and Before We Vanish is a mighty genre mash-up, leisurely strolling through apocalyptic alien invasion thriller and sci-fi romantic comedy territory throughout the course of its 130 minute run-time.

The film actually dials down the invasion thrills for a low-tension apocalypse and indulges in romantic and culture clash comedy moments with sudden spikes of violence. As Narumi tries to understand her husband, Shinji gets into hijinks. His inability to move properly leads to funny physical comedy and Matsuda’s blank face is the perfect punchline for deadpan humour, especially for the verbal stuff, which drives Narumi and others crazy. Acting as a counterpoint to this gentle comedy are action scenes and chase sequences. Some are flat and merely serve to move the plot along however some are shot in such a way as to help increase the sense of threat from government agents. The highlights are definitely the fights involving Akira Tachibana, who is utterly ruthless in the way she takes apart middle-aged men in hand-to-hand combat. These moments are stunning and bring excitement to what is a laidback narrative as Yuri Tsunematsu dazzles in some sharp fight choreography but the alien’s ability to steal concepts are also used in these moments to take the fights in unexpected directions.

These elements keep the film from becoming maudlin as human emotions are explored through Narumi and Shinji’s relationship.

Indeed, the substance of the film, what gives it low-tension horror and mordant humour and what makes it really engaging is found in the way people live with and are held back by concepts which aliens expose and plunder, freeing people from the ideas that cause unhappiness and joy. Characters react to losing a lifetime of shame and hatred with looks of bliss while seeing people lose concepts that hold societies together like family is really chilling and plays into a wider sense of an apocalypse as we see Japan’s fraying social fabric. That it happens in everyday spaces with relatable people and there’s government pushback as agents take to the streets suggests a social satire and a critique of the underlying political tensions in Abe’s Japan with war and surveillance and the price of social conditioning that condones workplace abuse mined for content.

Another glib comparison might be Kurosawa’s 2001 film Pulse as characters head towards the end of everything but there’s less creeping dread and awful loneliness and more brightness and hope because what really gives the film heart is the central relationship between Shinji and Narumi. This is Nagasawa’s film as she runs a whole gamut of emotions from anger and disgust to faithful love as Narumi has to decide whether to stand by her man and proves to be a fantastic way in to understanding the end of the world. It is fitting that they could hold the key to the fate of humanity and allows Kurosawa to pull the entire narrative together at the very end for a surprisingly tender and strong finale that feels genuinely romantic and well-earned and caps every idea brought up in the film.

Transferring

転校生  「Tenkousei」