All the Things We Never Said   

生きちゃった 「Ikichatta」

Release Date: October 03rd, 2020

Duration: 91 mins.

Director: Yuya Ishii

Writer: Yuya Ishii (Script), 

Starring: Taiga Nakano, Yuko Oshima, Ryuya Wakaba, Park Jung-bum, Yuuno Ota, Miyu Yagyu, TOBI,

Website IMDB

In 2019 the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and China’s Heaven Pictures launched a pan-Asian project called B2B A Love Supreme wherein six Asian auteurs were tasked with going back to basics and making a feature on a limited budget of approximately US$145,000. The filmmakers selected included Tsai Ming-Liang from Taiwan, Chinese-Korean Zhang Lu and Japanese director Yuya Ishii who contributed All the Things We Never Said.

The title for Ishii’s story proves to be apt as this 90 minute film finds its dramatic fluctuations based on a cycle of escalating tragedies derived from various character’s inability to communicate what they truly feel to others. This is down to the fact that expressing ones emotions and risking breaking the peace of a situation is difficult in a Japanese situation where social equanimity and cohesion is prized.

The opening is anything but grim. Boundless optimism radiates from the screen as we gaze upon three high schoolers, two guitar-wielding boys and a girl, who amble along an open road on a balmy summer’s day. An upbeat song gives us the perfect accompaniment to these sun-kissed scenes that are familiar from countless seishun eiga and sappy romances. These are hopeful kids however, amidst all of their joy, seeds of disharmony are sown as they are caught in an unspoken love triangle that will have consequences well into adulthood. 

When we next meet them they are still together but in their 30s. Two of the three, Atsuhisa (Taiga Nakano) and Natsumi (Yuko Oshima), have married and had a child, five-year-old daughter Suzu, while their mutual friend Takeda (Ryuya Wakaba) is on the periphery working as a repairman. It is clear that they have discarded any dreams of musical stardom and the drudge of domesticity has ground them down, especially Natsumi who has gone sour as revealed by her alternately waspish or distant attitude and her barely concealed contempt for a husband who quietly absorbs her negativity and seems unable to show emotion. 

The breaking point for the trio comes quickly in the narrative when Atsuhisa leaves his clerical job early after feeling sick and stumbles home to find his wife with another man. Natsumi justifies this as the result of years of frustrations she has silently endured, especially Atsuhisa’s inability to declare his love for her. Implicit in her words is an ultimatum demanding that her husband say something or lose her but he cannot. They divorce and throughout their separation Atsuhisa holds his tongue, swallows his pride and meekly accepts Natsumi’s requests and we in the audience wonder why, as does the more free-speaking Natsumi and also Takeda, an honest friend who finds himself caught between the two as he watches the marriage fall apart.

Atsuhisa’s silence on the situation and whether he loves Natsumi or not propels the narrative as it drives her further from away from him and also affects others who try to reconfigure their relationships with the couple while also struggling to express themselves at the risk of upsetting their social bonds. Sometimes the pain of expressing oneself is too much, as exemplified by Atsuhisa and his brother, a tragically silent hikikomori. As characters reveal all of the things they felt they never could say previously, it leads to an already painful situation evolving in ways that will keep audiences feeling foreboding, frustration, and pity for characters.

Flashbacks shown piecemeal throughout the conflict give context and believably show many layers of people trying to communicate and failing. The problem is that to express love or any extreme emotions in a Japanese context is not so easy in reality and eventually we see this dynamic creates a chain of misfortune that stretches out from that scenic summer day seen at the start of the film until it encompasses instances of betrayal, mental health breakdown, and death further in the narrative. Crucially, it rings true in showing how people become alienated and how it can be difficult to communicate. 

As dramatic as things get, it never feels contrived because these characters feel like real people in real situations. Helping this sense is the milieu which are the suburbs of Yokohama, quiet suburban streets and old-fashioned houses in the countryside where ageing opinionated family members reside, and the glitz and seediness of downtown Kabukicho. All provide distinctly different but atmospheric tones that help characterisation. A good example is Atsuhisa and Natsumi’s cluttered and cramped home which we visit at the height of summer, a season that adds to the sense of pent up frustration especially as the film depicts the sort of lower-middle class way of living where families are struggling to get by financially and so we sympathise with Natsumi, played with maturity and nuance by former AKB48 idol Yuko Oshima, as we experience her family’s lack of social mobility, the stress from a lack of money, and overbearing relatives. 

While his character’s reasoning and behaviour might seem off to some audience members, Taiga Nakano gives a very moving performance of a man weighted down by guilt and unable to fully verbalise the myriad of emotions he feels, especially in a Japanese context. His tremulous body language speaks of someone who aches with shame, cowardice and self-censorship. It generates a force on screen that, when he lets his emotions out, hits hard like a freight train. Even if I could guess where the film was going, it drew tears from me as I watched his plight. That, coupled with Ryuya Wakaba’s portrayal of a loyal friend who tries his hardest to offer a steady hand to guide Atsuhisa as he navigates his inner turmoil, leads to an ending which will also have you in tears and it will remind you to say what is in your heart, especially when it comes to loved ones.

This is a slightly modified version of my review that was published on VCinema on October 24th.

Other Yuya Ishii films I have reviewed include

The Tokyo Night Sky Is Always the Densest Shade of Blue (2017), The Great Passage (2013), Mitsuko Delivers (2011), Sawako Decides (2010) 

The 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival (TokyoIFF) runs from October 31st to November 09th and it is a physical event. Information on this page shows the various measures that will be taken by staff such as temperature checks, ensuring audiences wear masks, empty seats around viewers and other methods of ensuring physical distancing.

In terms of films, TokyoIFF has a pretty busy and diverse programme that pitches a lot of dramas alongside restored classics, animation and super sentai. On top of that, there are many interesting talks and other events scheduled with a range of guests.

Here is the festival’s trailer!

Like my last TokyoIFF post, I’ll keep this brief by writing in detail about films I haven’t covered before (or not that often) and I’ll also focus on titles from the indie end of the spectrum as well as utilising the main sections TokyoIFF has created to provide structure to this post.

Tokyo Premiere 2020

Films in this section are going to be released over the next couple of months so they get a big of a marketing boost with festival laurels from TokyoIFF.

Underdog   

アンダードッグ「Anda-doggu」

Release Date: November 27th, 2020

Duration: 131 mins.

Director: Masaharu Take

Writer: Shin Adachi (Script), Shin Adachi (Original Novel)

Starring: Mirai Moriyama, Takumi Kitamura, Ryo Katsuji, Asami Mizukawa, Kumi Takiuchi, Minori Hagiwara, Ami Tomite, Ryotaro Ninomiya, Mami Kumagai, Akira Emoto,

Website

Synopsis: “Underdog” follows three boxers who are all underdogs. Akira Suenaga (Mirai Moriyama) is a boxer, who struggles to succeed as a boxer. Ryuta Omura (Takumi Kitamura) is a young boxer, who grew up in an orphanage. Shun Miyagi (Ryo Katsuji) challenges a boxer, following the plans of a TV program.

Come and Go

カム・アンド・ゴー 「Kamu ando Go-」

Release Date: 2021

Duration: 158 mins.

Director: Lim Kah Wai

Writer: Lim Kah Wai (Script), 

Starring: Lee Kang-sheng, Manami Usamaru, Seiji Chihara, Makiko Watanabe, Lien Binh Phat, David Siu, Nang Tracy, Katsura Jakujaku, Shogen, JC Chee, Orson Mochizuki,

An ensemble drama depicting scenes of Asians surviving in Osaka, directed by Malaysian director Lim Kah-wai.

Synopsis: A group of Korean women are rushed to entertain Chinese businessmen demanding time with Japanese AV actresses. A Japanese woman from the countryside who is new in town who falls into the hostess industry. A Nepalese youth who has a big dream and a Japanese-language teacher who loves him. A lonely Taiwanese AV fan seeking his favourite actress. A movie director from Okinawa who is in debt to yakuza. A Japanese-American mixed up with criminals. Their lives intersect in Osaka.

Eternally Younger Than Those Idiots   

君は永遠にそいつらより若い「Kimi wa eien ni soitsu-ra yori wakai」

Release Date: 2021

Duration: 118 mins.

Director: Ryohei Yoshino

Writer: Ryohei Yoshino (Script), Kikuko Tsumura (Original Novel)

Starring: Yui Sakuma, Nao, Seiichi Kohinata, Sho Kasamatsu, Yo Aoi, Kokoro Morita,

Website

Synopsis: Horigai is an ordinary young woman merely waiting for the day she graduates from college but when she falls in with a girl named Inoki, she begins to notice the violence that hides in her past and that she keeps hidden from others under the facade of her ordinary everyday life.

Mr. Suzuki – A Man In God’s Country

鈴木さん 「Suzuki-san」

Release Date: 2020

Duration: 90 mins.

Director: Omoi Sasaki

Writer: Omoi Sasaki (Script),

Starring: Asako Ito, Norihiko Tsukuda, Nao Yasunaga, Iwao, Daisuke Matsunaga, Ken Nakajima, Mie Kirihara, Akko Takano,

Website

A dystopian Sci-fi film that depicts middle-aged men and women persecuted by society.

Synopsis: In a city where unmarried people are drafted to solve the declining birthrate, 44-year-old unmarried Yoshiko tries to find a marriage partner in order to escape from recruitment.

Light of a Burning Moth

蛾の光 「Ga no Hikari」

Release Date: 2020

Duration: 120 mins.

Director: Liao Jiekai

Writer: Liao Jiekai (Screenplay)

Starring: Ha Young Mi, Han Arai, Akko Tadano, Reiko Asano,

Website

Synopsis: Rin, a dancer, stops speaking to become a “voice” for silent people. Meeting an old mime artist to exchange artistic views, she faces her trauma of her mother’s disappearance. One day, Shizuka receives a final letter saying, “I want to explore death in the mountains like an old monk.” This is a boldly-structured new film by Singaporean director Liao Jiekai that depicts the journey of the heroine’s soul.

Sasaki in My Mind     

佐々木、イン、マイマイン 「Sasaki, In, Mai Main」

Release Date: November 27th, 2020

Duration: 118 mins.

Director: Takuya Uchiyama

Writer: Takuya Uchiyama, Gaku Hosokawa (Script), 

Starring: Kisetsu Fujiwara, Gaku Hosokawa, Minori Hagiwara, Sakurako Konishi, Yusako Mori, Yuya Shintaro,

Website

Synopsis: Yuji reunites with his high school classmate Tada after trying to make it as an actor in Tokyo. They recall their high school days with Sasaki, who was a hero when he was in school and the film slips between past and present.

Hold Me Back   

私をくいとめて 「Watashi o Kuitomete」

Release Date: December 18th, 2020

Duration: 135 mins.

Director: Akiko Ohku

Writer: Akiko Ohku (Script), Risa Wataya (Original Novel)

Starring: Non, Kento Hayashi, Asami Usada, Hairi Katagiri, Takuya Wakabahayshi, Ai Hashimoto,

Website IMDB

It is good to see Non getting more work!

Synopsis: 31-years-old Mitsuko Kuroda (Non) is happily enjoying her single life after getting used to living alone. A big reason is that she has a consultant, counsellor “A”, a voice in her mind which gives her advice on how to behave and on her relationships. She believes her happy and peaceful single life with “A” will continue, but she falls in love with Tada-kun (Kento Hayashi), a salesman who is younger than her. Mitsuko decides to take a step forward, even though she is confused by her new lack of courage.

First Job

初仕事 「Hatsu Shigoto」

Release Date: October 16th, 2020

Duration: 135 mins.

Director: Syunsuke Koyama

Writer: Syunsuke Koyama (Script),

Starring: Eiichi Sawada, Syunsuke Koyama, Yuki Hashiguchi, Tomohisa Takeda, Hanako Shiraishi,

Synopsis: A story of two men in an ethical maze. Yamashita is a newbie photographer working at a small company who takes on an assignment offered by his boss: to take a memorial photograph of a dead baby. The man who commissioned it is Anzai, a doctor who has been left devastated by both the death of the baby and his wife. This explains some of the reasoning behind this request but Yamashita finds the job difficult and Anzai is very demanding. As the job proceeds, reality hits them in different ways. Yamashita forces himself to understand and capture a perfect image.

Company Retreat

ある職場 「Aru shokuba」

Release Date: October 16th, 2020

Duration: 135 mins.

Director: Atsushi Funahashi

Writer: N/A

Starring: Saki Hirai, Megumi Ito, Takafumi Yamanaka, Mikoto Yoshikawa, Azusa Nakazawa, Yoshio Taguchi,

Website IMDB

Atsushi Funahashi, an Osaka-born director who studied filmmaking in Tokyo and New York, has made documentaries and dramas like Cold Bloom which are based on 3/11 as well as road movies set in the US, recently made Lovers on Borders, which was the first international co-production between Japan and Portugal.

Synopsis: A Described as a docu-fiction, the story looks at the effects of sexual harassment on everyone, from victim and perpetrator to the people around them.

ZOKKI

ゾッキ 「ZOKKI」

Release Date: 2021

Duration: 113 mins.

Director: Naoto Takenaka, Takayuki Yamada, Takumi Saitoh

Writer: Yutaka Kuramochi (Script), Hiroyuki Ohashi (Original Manga)

Starring: Riho Yoshioka, Fuku Suzuki, Shinnosuke Mitsushima, Yurina Yanagi, Sara Minami, Masanobu Ando, Pierre Taki, Yusaki Mori, Jo Kujo, Mai Kiryu, Kumi Koda, Pistol Takehara, Yunho, Rena Matsui, Yutaro Watanabe, Koji Ishizaka, Ryuhei Matsuda, Jun Kunimura.

Website

Synopsis: Hiroyuki Ohashi, whose manga On-Gaku was made into a hit animated film, gets anothere of his works adapted, this one from earlier in his career and a title that he previously published independently before it was picked up by a published in 2017. The manga contains many stories with humorous and pointed observations on life. There are three top actors working as co-directors and they have assembled a brilliant cast.

Japan Now

This section is meant to provide an overview of contemporary Japanese cinema and the focus this year is a showcase of the works of Koji Fukada through screening five of his works, including his shorts and a number of his features from his most early works like Human Comedy in Tokyo to his most recent, Harmonium (which premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes in 2016 and won the Jury Prize) and The Real Thing which was chosen for this year’s Cannes.

Not all of his films will be screened. Hospitalite  Sayonara and  Au revoir l’ete  seem to be missing.

The ones that have been programmed are here Human Comedy Tokyo  (TokoIFF Page) A Girl Missing (TokoIFF Page) and Harmonium  (TokoIFF Page)

The short film collection contains five films including East of Jefferson Inabe and Yalta Conference Online (TokoIFF Page)

The Real Thing

本気のしるし　劇場版 「Honki no Shirushi Geekijouban」

Release Date: October 09th, 2020

Duration: 232 mins.

Director: Koji Fukada

Writer: Shintaro Mitani, Koji Fukada (Script), Mochiru Hoshisato (Original Novel)

Starring: Win Morisaki, Kaho Tsuchimura, Kei Ishibashi, Akari Fukunaga, Yukiya Kitamura, Shohei Uno, Shugo Oshinari, Masaki Naito,

Website IMDB

This is a feature film adapted from a Nagoya Broadcasting Network TV drama that is based on a manga by Mochiru Hoshisato. So, the TV show has been edited down for a movie version. It was named as one of the Cannes Film Festival’s 2020 Official Selection. Koji Fukada has a lot of other films to his name and you can find a list of films reviewed by me on this page (if you are interested). It stars Win Morisaki from the Steven Spielberg film Ready Player One.

Synopsis: Billed as a suspense, the story follows Kuzumichi Tsuji (Win Morisaki). He has a good reputation and lives a boring life. Even though he is involved with two women in his workplace, he feels he has never fallen in love but when he saves the life of Ukiyo Hayama (Kaho Tsuchimura), who was stuck at a railroad crossing, his heart is swayed. Ukiyo has a mysterious aura that sucks Kuzumichi in… 

TokyoIFF/Pia Film Festival Collaboration

This section is a collaboration between the two film festivals as Tokyo gives a platform for this year’s Pia Film Festival Grand Prix winning film and the runner-up.

Henshin!

へんしんっ！ 「Henshin!」

Release Date: N/A

Duration: 93 mins.

Director: Tomoya Ishida

Writer: N/A

Starring: Tomoya Ishida, Osamu Jareo, Shizue Sazawa (Nozaki)

Synopsis: A documentary in which a director in a wheelchair explores the possibility of activities that allow people with disabilities to express themselves to and with others. While interacting with various people through filmmaking, he discovers various “differences”. He also pays attention to how he makes a movie that involves the people around him.

Japanese Animation

This year’s Japanese Animation section will showcase the theatrically released animated films from the “Pokémon” franchise along with a retrospective of The Super Sentai Series starting with “Gorenger” which is celebrating its 45th anniversary. Another highlight will be a series of screenings that will offer an overview of the current state of today’s Japanese animated features with titles released over the last couple of years like Seven Days War.

Violet Evergarden: The Movie 

劇場版ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン 　 「Gekijouban Baioretto Eba-ga-den Gaiden」

Release Date: September 18th, 2020

Duration: 140 mins.

Director: Taichi Ishidate

Writer: Reiko Yoshida (Screenplay), Kana Akatsuki (Original Creator)

Starring: Yui Ishikawa (Violet Evergarden), Daisuke Namikawa (Gilbert Bougainvillea),

Animation Production: Kyoto Animation

Website ANN MAL

Synopsis: Following the end of the Great War, Violet Evergarden, a young girl raised to destroy the enemy, was left with a shattered body and only words from the person she held dearest, but with no understanding of their meaning. She finds new purpose acting as an “Auto Memory Doll,” amanuenses that transcribe people’s thoughts and feelings into words on paper and travels the world in an adventure that will reshape the lives of her clients and hopefully lead to self-discovery.

In this film, Violet still holds the memory of her former employer Gilbert dearly because it was he who taught her of love. Even when his older brother Dietfried tells her that she should forget about him, she refuses. Soon after, Violet hears that the post office has discovered a letter with no address sitting in their warehouse.

Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop   

サイダーのように言葉が湧き上がる 　 「Saida- no You ni Kotoba ga Wakiagaru」

Release Date: 2020

Duration: 87 mins.

Director: Kyohei Ishiguro

Writer: Dai Sato (Screenplay),

Starring: Hana Sugisaki (Cherry), Somegoro ICHIKAWA VIII (Cherry), Kikuko Inoue (Tsubasa Fujiyama), Koichi Yamadera (Mr. Fujiyama), Natsuki Hanae (Japan),

Animation Production: Signal.MD, Sublimation,

Website ANN MAL

Synopsis from ANN: Words and music bridge the gap between Cherry, a boy who is terrible at communicating with other people, and Smile, a girl who hides behind a mask. They meet in a mundane suburban shopping mall in a provincial city. Cherry always wears headphones and puts the feelings he cannot utter into his hobby, Japanese haiku poems. Smile always wears a mask to conceal her large front teeth, for which she has dental braces. As a popular video star, she streams a video about seeking “cuteness.”

Other animated titles: 

Pokemon: The First Movie (1998)

Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai (2007)

Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us (2018)

Super Sentai (A Selection of titles marking the 45th anniversary of Tokusatsu):

Super Sentai Movie Party: Ryusoulger vs Lupinranger vs Patranger / Kiramager Episode Zero

Super Sentai 199 Heroes Daikessen: Gokaiger vs Goseiger

Gorenger

Sumikkogurashii: Good to Be in the Corner

映画　すみっコぐらし　とびだす絵本とひみつのコ　 「Sumikko Gurashi: Tobidasu Ehon to Himitsu no Ko」

Release Date: November 08th, 2019

Duration: 65 mins.

Director: Mankyuu

Writer: Takashi Sumita (Script/Series Composition), San-X (Original Creator)

Starring: Narrators – Yoshihiko Inohara, Manami Nanjo

Animation Production: Fanworks

Website ANN MAL

Synopsis: The slightly negative characters who like to hide away from sight are back as Shirokuma, a polar bear who is sensitive to cold, Penguin?, a penguin suffering an existential crisis. Tonkatsu, a piece of uneaten pork cutlet, Neko, a shy cat; and Tokage, the last dinosaur find themselves on the big screen.

Sushi Sumo   

どすこいすしずもう　 「Dosukoi Sushi Zumou」

Release Date: 2021

Duration: 60 mins.

Director: Yuta Sukegawa

Writer: N/A (Script), Masako Ahn (Original Creator)

Starring: Miyuki Oshima (Tea Commentator), Kenjiro Tsuda (Nasubi Master), Kento Hama (Bamboo Shoot Master) Chiharu Sawashiro (Gari Call),

Animation Production: N/A

Website

Synopsis: What if sushi wrestles? This film aims to answer the question by presenting “sushi wrestlers” who make use of their own ingredients to perform various techniques for some cute surreal fun.

Special Screenings 

The Special Screenings section offers audiences the chance to get an early viewing of films due to be released in the coming months. Many guests associated with the films will make appearances at events held throughout the festival.

Aristocrats   

あのこは貴族 「Ano ko wa Kizoku」

Release Date: February 26th, 2021

Duration: 124 mins.

Director: Yukiko Sode

Writer: Yukiko Sode (Script), Mariko Yamauchi (Original Novel)

Starring: Mugi Kadowaki, Kiko Mizuhara, Kengo Kora, Shizuka Ishibashi, Rio Yamashita, Yukiko Shinohara, Kei Ishibashi,

Website IMDB

Based on Mariko Yamauchi’s novel of the same name, it follows two women with different lives who live in Tokyo.

Synopsis: Hanako Haibara (Mugi Kadowaki) is in her late twenties and is from a well-to-do background (perhaps cloistered) in Tokyo and is looking for a man to marry. After getting dumped by her boyfriend Koichiro (Kengo Kora), she hits the dating scene but she questions her path in life. Meanwhile, Miki Tokioka (Kiko Mizuhara) is from a less affluent background having come from Toyama prefecture but studied and worked hard to get to into a prestigious university and, after tough times where she questioned the meaning of everything, she now works at an IT company but is also uncertain about life. They are introduced through an intermediary man. Due to a man, Hanako Haibara and Miki Tokioka meet each other and contrast their lives.

HOKUSAI     

Release Date: 2021

Duration: 129 mins.

Director: Hajime Hashimoto

Writer: Ren Kawahara (Script), 

Starring: Yuya Yagira, Min Tanaka, Hiroshi Abe, Haruka Imou, Munetaka Aoki, Eita, Miori Takimoto, Hiroshi Tamaki, Kanji Tsuda, Yuski Tsujimoto,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: This film depicts scenes from the life of Katsushika Hokusai, both in youth (Yuya Yagira) as an unpopular and poor painter struggling to find his place in the art world, and in old age (Min Tanaka) as someone who still has passion for painting and strives to improve his work. The film shows key moments, such as the patronage of Shigezaburo Tsutaya (Hiroshi Abe), a publisher who would support his talent and help him create his own innovative paintings at a time when the shogunate cracked down on art.

Food Luck   

フード・ラック!食運「Fu-do Rakku! Shaun」

Release Date: November 20th, 2020

Duration: 104 mins.

Director: Jimon Terakado

Writer: Jimon Terakado (Script), 

Starring: Naoto, Tao Tsuchiya, Ken Ishiguro, Satoru Matsuo, Yasufumi Terawaki, Chizuru Azuma, Miwako Kakei, Yo Oizumi,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Following the death of his father, Yoshito (Naoto) and his mother Yasue (Ryo) continued to live in the yakiniku restaurant he ran. His mother worked hard to make it a success and Yoshito enjoyed his mother’s cooking and their restaurant was loved by many people. Unfortunately, when a popular food critic named Tatsuya Furuyama (Satoru Matsuo), ruins the reputation of the restaurant, Yasue had to work harder than ever to recover business and Yoshito began to act out to get her attention. 18 years later, Yoshito lives alone and has lost contact with his mother. As a freelance writer he takes work from a new online foodie website about yakiniku. Around that time, Yoshito hears that his estranged mother Yasue has collapsed.

Flight on the Water   

水上のフライト 「Suijo no Furaito」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 106 mins.

Director: Atsushi Kaneshige

Writer: Akihiro Dobashi, Atsushi Kaneshige (Script), 

Starring: Ayami Nakajo, Yosuke Sugino, Nene Otsuka, Sara Takatsuki, Ami Tomite, Yukiyoshi Ozawa,

Website

Akihiro Dobashi wrote the script as an original story inspired by the interaction with the real Japanese paracanoe player, Monica Seta.

Synopsis: Haruka (Ayami Nakajo) is a promising athlete aiming to be the best at the high jump but her career is cut short by an accident which leaves her paralysed from the waist down. Haruka loses hope and sinks into misery but regains hope when she meets people who  view disabilities as individuality traits and she hears about paracanoe which motivates her to train in the sport.

Runway   

滑走路 「Kassoro」

Release Date: November 20th, 2020

Duration: 135 mins.

Director: Norichika Oba

Writer: Sayaka Kuwamura (Script), Shinichiro Hagihara (Original Poetry)

Starring: Asami Mizukawa, Kodai Asaka, Uta Yorikawa, Kei Kinoshita, Yuto Ikeda, Kenji Mizuhashi, Maki Sakai, Shota Sometani,

Website

A human drama that depicts the anguish and hope of people struggling to live in the present age, based on the poetry collection that was the debut work of Shinichiro Hagihara, a poet who died at the age of 32.

Synopsis: Takano (Kodai Asaka) is a 25-year-old bureaucrat at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. He is under severe stress at work and loses his vigour. One day, an NPO he works with gives him a list of people who committed suicide due to temporary employment. On that list, he becomes interested in a 25-year-old man and begins to investigate the background of the death. Meanwhile, Midori (Asami Mizukawa) is a woman in her late 30’s and is a cutout picture artist. She has anxiety about her future since she is uncomfortable with her husband and yet the idea of having children is still floating around. And just to add more misery to this story, a high schooler becomes the target of bullying but keeps his problems to himself so as not to worry his mother. The lives of these three people, each with their own worries, will eventually lead to a single path.

One in a Hundred Thousand   

10万分の1 「10 Man-bun’no 1」

Release Date: November 27th, 2020

Duration: 112 mins.

Director: Koichiro Miki

Writer: Chieko Nakagawa (Script), Kaho Miyasaka (Original Novel)

Starring: Eiji Okuda, Alan Shirahama, Jin Shirasu, Yuna Taira, Mio Yuki,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Rino Sakuragi is a high school student who is the manager of the high school kendo club which Ren Kiritani, the most popular boy in school, is a part of. They have known each other since junior high school and Rino harbours a crush on him but lacks the confidence to ask him out because he is so popular. Then, one day, Ren confesses to Rino that he likes her and they begin to date and a sweet high school romance ensues that makes them the envy of everybody. They enjoy their time together, but Rino is diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a cruel fate that only occurs with a probability of “1 / 100,000” people.

It’s a Summer Film

サマーフィルムにのって 「Sam- Firumu ni notte」

Release Date: 2021

Duration: 97 mins.

Director: Soushi Matsumoto

Writer: Naoyuki Miura, Soushi Matsumoto (Script), 

Starring: Marika Ito, Daichi Kaneko, Yumi Kawai, Kirara Inori, Shunya Itabashi, Mahiro Koda,

Website

Naoyuki Miura of the theatre troupe Lolo and director Soushi Matsumoto make science-fiction coming-of-age film about three high school girls obsessed with Japanese period drama and a mysterious boy who may be from another time. This project re-teams Matsumoto with lead actress Marika Ito, a former member of Nogizaka46, after they worked on the Tokyo MX drama ガールはフレンド.

Synopsis: High school student Hadashi (Marika Ito) loves historical films, but the film club she belongs to only makes only glittering youth films. She is desperate to make a period drama but it seems unlikely until a mysterious boy named Rintaro appears out of nowhere. He is perfect for the role of a samurai and it feels like destiny that they meet so a newly inspired Hadashi gathers unique schoolmates to start making a movie for the school festival. However, what none of the crew knows is that Rintaro has travelled back in time from the future.

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish   

World Focus

Along the Sea   

海辺の彼女たち「Umibe no Kanojotachi」

Release Date: 2021

Duration: 88 mins.

Director: Akio Fujimoto

Writer: Akio Fujimoto (Script),

Starring: Hoang Phuong, Anh Huynh Tuyet, Nhu Quynh

Website IMDB

Akio Fujimoto has, so far, specialised in telling Asian stories that reveal profound connections between Japan and its continental neighbours. He previously travelled to Myanmar to make Passage of Life (2017), a film about a family dealing with the pressures of emigrating to Japan, and Bleached Bones Avenue (2019), which shows the process of recovering Japan’s war dead from the Battle of Imphal. I interviewed him about that film. With this movie, he re-assembles his team, including cinematographer Kentaro Kishi, and looks at the fate of three Vietnamese women who are in Japan on a technical internship programme but go on the lam.

Synopsis: Phuong, An, and Nhu are Vietnamese women in their early 20s. The three become illegal residents in Japan after escaping from their workplace as technical trainees. An contacts a broker to help them find work. The broker takes them to a fisherman’s ice-covered hut where they can stay in exchange for labour. They are happy because, as well as finding a job, they have also doubled their salary. As they start their work, Phuong suddenly falls, stricken with severe pain. Worried, An and Nhu take Phuong to a hospital, but they are refused admission for not having an ID card.

Japanese Classics

Three films from Sadao Yamanaka have been restored, all of which feature kabuki actors from left-wing theatre troupe in stories that highlighted the suffering of the poor. There is also the first version of Hiroshi Inagaki’s The Rickshaw ManI (a later version starred Toshiro Mifune) which is accompanied by a documentary.

Tange Sazen and the Pot Worth a Million Ryo [4K Digitally Restored and the Longest Version]   

丹下左膳余話 百萬両の壺 「Tange sazen yowa hyakuman ryou no tsubo」

Release Date: June 15th, 1935

Duration: 92 mins.

Director: Sadao Yamanaka

Writer: Shintaro Mimura (Script), 

Starring: Denjiro Okochi, Kiyozo, Kunitaro Sawamura, Ranko Hanai, Soji Kiyokawa, Reizaburo Yamamoto,

IMDB

Synopsis: The Lord of the Yagyu region gives an old “Kokezaru” pot to his brother Genzaburo, who sells it without noticing that is contains a treasure map inside. When this mistake is made and comes to light, everyone wants to get their hands on the map, including Tange Sazen, the one-eyed one-armed samurai.

Humanity and Paper Balloons [4K Digitally Restored Version]   

人情紙風船 「Ninjo Kami Fusen」   

Release Date: August 25th, 1937

Duration: 96 mins.

Director: Sadao Yamanaka

Writer: Shintaro Mimura (Script), Risa Wataya (Original Story)

Starring: Chojuro Kawarasaki, Kanemon Nakamura, Tsuruzo Nakamura, Takako Misaki, Kikunosuke Ichikawa, Rakusaburo Ichikawa,

IMDB

Synopsis: It is the Edo period and in a slum live two very different people: Shinza, though a hairdresser by trade, actually makes his living by running illicit gambling rooms and pawning his belongings. Matajuro Unno, who lives with his wife next door, is a ronin. He is the son of Matabei Unno, a great samurai, but has been unable to find a master. The two get involved with the affairs of a powerful samurai official and his gangsters.

Priest of Darkness [4K Digitally Restored Version] 

河内山宗俊「Kochiyama Soshun 」

Release Date: August 30th, 1936

Duration: 96 mins.

Director: Sadao Yamanaka

Writer: Shintaro Mimura, Sadao Yamanaka (Script), Mokuami Kawatake (Kabuki Story)

Starring: Chojuro Kawarasaki, Kanemon Nakamura, Shizue Yamagishi, Setsuko Hara, Choemon Bando, Sensho Ichikawa, Daisuke Kato, Fumie Miyoshi,

IMDB

Synopsis: In a slum are a group of people whose lives will become intertwined. Onami runs a sake stall while her good-for-nothing brother Hirotaro lives life as a troublemaker. Meanwhile. Kochiyama Soshun runs a gambling joint with his wife, Oshizu, and scams people out of money while disguised as a priest. Kaneko Ichinojo, a former samurai who works for a local bigwig collects money from traders, which means he visits Onami’s sake stall. Kochiyama also has a connection with the stall through Hirotaro who likes to gamble. When Hirotaro steals a small but valuable knife from a samurai, he unknowingly takes possession of a valuable heirloom given by the shogun. Onami must make amends and must sell herself to repay her brother’s debt. Enter Soshun and Ichinojo, who both like Onami and aim to save her.

The Rickshaw Man [4K Digitally Restored Version]   

無法松の一生 「Muhomatsu no Issho」

Release Date: October 28th, 1943

Duration: 80 mins.

Director: Hiroshi Inagaki

Writer: Mansaku Itami, Shunsaku Iwashita (Script), Shunsaku Iwashita (Original Story)

Starring: Tsumasaburo Bando, Keiko Sonoi, Yasushi Nagata, Kamon Kawamura, Hiroyuki Nagato, Ryunosuke Tsukigata, Kyoji Sugi,

IMDB

Synopsis: It is the end of the Meiji era and we follow Matsugoro (Tsumasaburo Bando), a poor and rough around the edges rickshaw man in Kokura who has a good heart and a personality that makes him popular with his richer clients. He comes to help a young mother when her army captain husband is killed in action, and Matsugoro even becomes a surrogate father to her son and develops feelings for the mother. This story was made at the height of World War II and censored by the Japanese government.

Wheels of Fate: The Story of the Rickshaw Man

ウィール・オブ・フェイト～映画『無法松の一生』をめぐる数奇な運命～ Ui-ru Obu Feito ~ eiga “muhomatsu no issho” o meguru sukina unmei ~」

Release Date: 2020

Duration: 20 mins.

Director: Ema Ryan Yamazaki

Writer: N/A

Starring: Masahiro Miyajima, Yoshio Shirai, Ryo Tamura, Yoneo Ohta

Synopsis: An emotional journey into the fateful history of The Rickshaw Man, which, despite being chopped down by two governments, remains an irreplacable work of humanist cinema

Screening of an Award-winning Film from SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-Cinema FESTIVAL 2020

Woman of the Photographs   

写真の女「Shashin no Onna」

Release Date: June 27th, 2020

Duration: 89 mins.

Director: Takeshi Kushida

Writer: Takeshi Kushida (Script),

Starring: Hideki Nagai, Itsuki Otaki, Toshiaki Inomata, Toki Koinuma, Takaaki Kikuchi, Keiko Katsukura, Ryo Tsuchida,

OAFF Website

Writer/director Takeshi Kushida makes his feature debut with Woman of the Photographs has been wowing people across the world with its pristine and inventive visuals and solid story of love in a time of social media madness.

Here’s my interview with the director and my review of the film.

Synopsis: Middle-aged photographer Kai (Hideki Nagai) is committed to living a bachelor’s life due to his gynaphobia but when an Instagram model named Kyoko (Itsuki Otani) crashes into his life, an offbeat meet-cute turns into a psycho-romance as her search for social media success draws him into helping her.

Bunka-Cho Film Week 2020 Documentary Award

Prison Circle   

プリズン・サークル　 「Pursizun Sa-kuru」

Release Date: January 25th, 2020

Duration: 136 mins.

Director: Kaori Sakagami

Writer: N/A

Starring: N/A

Website IMDB

Synopsis: A documentary that took six years to authorise and two years to film due to it being set in a prison in Japan. It is set in Shimane Asahi Rehabilitation Promotion Center, a new public-private prison and the only prison in Japan that has introduced a program called “TC (Therapeutic Community)” that seeks out the causes and cures of crime through engaging prisoners in dialogue in a system that encourages rehabilitation. This is one of a number of educational programmes at the prison and one where prisoners must face their past. Audiences of this documentary will see the causes of crime the, bitter memories of childhood, such as poverty, bullying, abuse, and discrimination, as well as the crimes they committed, such as theft, fraud, robbery, injury and death. The camera follows the four prisoners in prison and shows them gaining new values ​​and ways of living through TC. Directed by Kaoru Sakagami, who has worked with American prisoners.

Songs of Entoko -The Power of Feebleness-

えんとこの歌　寝たきり歌人・遠藤滋　 「Entoko no uta netakiri kajin endou shigeru」

Release Date: July 06th, 2019

Duration: 96 mins.

Director: Shinichi Ise

Writer: N/A

Starring: Shigeru Endo

Website

Synopsis: Shigeru Endo is a tanka poet who has been forced to live in bed for the last 35 years due to his cerebral palsy, but has still been able to make poetry thanks to young caregivers. The documentary, made over 25 years by a long-standing friend, captures how the poet and his caregivers support each other and he makes poetry despite his situation. “Entoko” (meaning “where there is an end, where there is a relationship”).

Documentary Award

Planet of the Crabs   

蟹の惑星　 「Kani no Wakusei」

Release Date: July 13th, 2019

Duration: 68 mins.

Director: Hiroyasu Murakami

Writer: Hiroyasu Murakami (Screenplay),

Starring: N/A

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Yui Yoshida observes the many different crabs in the tidal flats of the Tamagawa River estuary in Tokyo. It is rare to see so many crabs in a large city, and Yoshida, who has been observing crabs independently for 15 years, visits the tidal flats every few days and records the ecology of the crabs. The documentary goes out on a tour of the tidal flat with Yoshida and looks at the amazing activities of the crabs.

Fanta Premier Movie Fes Grand-Prix Winning Film Screening

Dong Teng Town   

ドンテンタウン 「Donten Taun」

Release Date: July 17th, 2020

Duration: 61 mins.

Director: Kouhei Inoue

Writer: Kouhei Inoue (Script),

Starring: Ryo Sato, Show Kasamatsu, Ai Yamamoto, Ryui Ushio, Saki Iwasaki, Gantsu Morita, Ryo Anraku,

Website

Synopsis: Another MOOSIC LAB 2019 project, this won the best Actor Award. It is the story of a singer-songwriter named Sora who has moved into a danchi (public housing complex). She is struggling to regain her creativity when she discovers a cassette tape left by Tokio, a former resident who made money as a man who forges painters… 

Child of Kamiari Month Start-up Event – no feature film screening, just a look at the behind the scenes of the film and a musical performance

神在月のこども　 「Kaminari no kodomo」

Release Date: 2021

Duration: N/A

Director: Takana Shirao

Writer: N/A

Starring: Aju Makita as Kanna, Maaya Sakamoto as Shiro, and Miyu Irino as the oni boy Yato.

Animation Production: LIDEN Films

The company Cretica Universal is trying to utilise the unique culture and nature of Japan to create IP and here they have done so through an animation based on the legends surrounding an area of Izumo city, Shimane prefecture.

Synopsis: October is known as Kamiari month, a time when the gods are believed to leave their dwelling places for a bonding rite in the Izumo region. Kanna is a 12-year-old girl who lives a life similar to us but she learns from a rabbit named Shiro that she and her late mother Yayoi are descendants of gods and that Yayoi had the responsibility of delivering food to the Izumo conference. Now Izumo must fill her mother’s responsibilities, and as she travels to the land of the gods, she does so in the hope she can get them to revive her mother.

Other films:

Talking the Pictures plays at the Minato Cinema Festival

Born Bone Born (review) plays as part of Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award Film Screening and Symposium

Third Window Films are going to bolster their stable of  Shinya Tsukamoto films by issuing a (Region B) blu-ray release of Gemini, his 1999 horror title, on November 02nd.

It has a sparkling transfer that is pin-sharp and accentuates the colours and the extras, which the disc is packed full of, do a brilliant job of going into the background of the film. Here are the details:

Extra features
New HD transfer
Audio commentary by Tom Mes, author of Iron Man: The Cinema of Shinya Tsukamoto
Making of Gemini” featurette directed by Takashi Miike
Behind the Scenes
Make-up demonstration featurette
Venice Film Festival featurette
Original Trailer
First 1000 units come with slipcase featuring new artwork illustrated by Ian McEwan

Here’s the trailer and synopsis and a little extra info:

Gemini   

双生児 -GEMINI- 「そうせいじ ジェミニ 」

Release Date: September 15th, 1999

Duration: 83 mins.

Director: Shinya Tsukamoto

Writer: Shinya Tsukamoto (Script), Edogawa Rampo (Original Story – Souseiji: Aru Shikeiin ga Kyoukaishi ni Uchiaketa Hanashi)

Starring: Masahiro Motoki, Ryo, Yasutaka Tsutsui, Shiho Fujimura, Akaji Maro, Masako Motai, Renji Ishibashi, Tomorowo Taguchi, Tadanobu Asano, Naoto Takenaka, Yuriko Hirooka,

IMDB

Released a year after Bullet Ballet, Gemini came at a time when the world clamoured for J-horror after its experience with Ring and was shown at festivals alongside other titles like Shikoku, Ring, Ring 2, and Audition.

This is Tsukamoto’s first period piece and a re-working of a story by Edogawa Rampo and it features really strong visual design, as is to be expected, and a fantastic soundtrack by Tsukamoto’s regular composer Chu Ishikawa.

The cast is insane – made up of Tsukamoto regulars like Tomorowo Taguchi (lead actor in the Tetsuo films) as well as others who were working with Takashi Miike and all led by Masahiro Motoki and model/singer turned actress Ryo.

Synopsis: Adapting the Edogawa Rampo short story, Shinya (Tetsuo, Tokyo Fist) Tsukamoto’s modernist Meiji horror represents the director’s first foray into period films and fleshes out Rampo’s original tale considerably.

Following his return from being a doctor at war, Yukio (Masahiro Motoki) has followed in his father’s footsteps and taken over the family practice in his family’s beautiful home. He is handsome and well-respected and, to cap things off, he has a beautiful wife. His only problem is that his wife has no past for she has amnesia and nobody knows a thing about her. Things begin to go wrong, however, when both of his parents die in mysterious circumstances. A warning from his mother before her death alerts him to something being wrong with his background and he begins to become paranoid. When Yukio is confronted by a stranger who shares his face, the mystery of his wife’s past is revealed just as a hidden side to Yukio is uncovered.

Happy weekend, everyone!

I hope you are all feeling genki.

Throughout this month, I worked the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2020. It seemed to go well. I worked as the press officer so I would write press releases and contact animation websites/animation lecturers and student newspapers, write SNS posts whilst I had personal control of Twitter. I’ve done it before in previous years but this year was different because it was all online.

Actually, since it was an online festival, Twitter proved to be the perfect way to talk about the fest since I could tweet links to the screenings. 40% of viewers joined streams directly from Twitter.

Whilst all that was going on, I wrote many things over the past month for this blog. This week, I posted my review for All the Things We Never Said and a preview of the Tokyo International Film Festival 2020 and the Third Window Films release of Gemini. 

I watched a lot of films: What Did You Do to Solange?, Centurion, Gemini, The Purge, Inseminoid, Eat Drink Man Woman and a couple of others as I took advantage of Amazon’s Prime service which is awash with horror films.

Due to the large number of films, this trailer post has been split into two parts, one today and one on Sunday. Due to my tradition of posting a horror movie review on Halloween, you can find something spooky to watch for Saturday’s post.

What is released this weekend in Japan?

I’m Really Good       

わたしは元気 「Watashi wa Genki」

Release Date: October 30th, 2020

Duration: 107 mins.

Director: Hirobumi Watanabe

Writer: Hirobumi Watanabe (Screenplay), 

Starring: Riko Hisatsugu, Nanako Sudo, Keita Hisatsugu, Mei Mukaiyama, Yui Honiden, Ayaka Hoshi, Hirobumi Watanabe, 

IMDB

Synopsis: Riko Hisatsugu, a young girl who has appeared in Watanabe’s other films, takes the lead role as she plays herself in a snapshot of a day in her life as she goes to school, hangs out with her friend Nanako and relaxes at home with her family. Director Hirobumi Watanabe appears as a travelling salesman at one point. This was filmed from March to May, 2018, in the director’s native Tochigi prefecture. It’s a charming film and Riko is a natural actor.

Cry   

叫び声 「Sakebigoe」

Release Date: October 30th, 2020

Duration: 75 mins.

Director: Hirobumi Watanabe

Writer: Hirobumi Watanabe (Screenplay), 

Starring: Hirobumi Watanabe, Misao Hirayama, Riko Hisatsugu, Keita Hisatsugu, Nanaka Sudo, Takanori Kurosaki, Gaku Imamura, Yuji Watanabe, 

Website    IMDB

I met the Watanabe brothers and their cinematographer at the 2014 Raindance Film Festival‘s screening of And the Mud Ship Sails Away and I got their autographs. Little did I suspect that they would turn into familiar faces at the Tokyo International Film Festival as they get backing from the event to keep produce their brand of offbeat comedy shot in black-and-white. It’s an alternative to the urban voices and a lot of sideways fun. It won the Director’s Award in the Japanese Film Splash category at the 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival in 2019. His grandmother, who is in this film and many other Watanabe productions, passed away before she could see his award win.

Synopsis: A man (Hirobumi Watanabe) who lives with his ageing grandmother (Misao Hirayama) works silently in a pigpen in a rural village in the suburbs of Kita-Kanto…Sharp monochrome images and minimalist presentation, provocative sound effects, and emotionally stunning music serve to create the atmosphere.  

The Voice of Sin   

罪の声 「Tsumi no Koe」

Release Date: October 30th, 2020

Duration: 142 mins.

Director: Nobuhiro Doi

Writer: Akiko Nogi (Script), Takeshi Shiota (Original Novel)

Starring: Shun Oguri, Gen Hoshino, Meiko Kaji, Mikako Ichikawa, Junko Abe, Yutaka Matsushige, Ryudo Uzaki, Kanji Furutrachi, Yukiko Shinohara,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Around the end of the Heisei era, newspaper reporter Eiji Akutsu (Shun Oguri) is tasked with looking into the largest unsolved case in the Showa era. 30 years ago, a group of people extorted several companies for money by sending cassette tapes with threats recorded on them. The threats were made with the voices of three children. Meanwhile, Toshiya Sone (Gen Hoshino), a tailor living in Kyoto, finds a cassette tape in his late father’s possessions. He plays the tape and hears his own voice…

Tonkatsu DJ Age-Taro   

とんかつDJアゲ太郎 「Tonkatsu DJ Age-Taro」

Release Date: October 30th, 2020

Duration: 100 mins.

Director: Ken Ninomiya

Writer: Ken Ninomiya (Script), Iipyao, Yujiro Koyama (Original Manga)

Starring: Takumi Kitamura, Maika Yamamoto, Kentaro Ito, Yusuke Iseya, Brother Tom, Reiko Kataoka, Natsumi Ikema, Kou Maehara, Kodai Asaka,

Website IMDB

This is the live-action movie adaptation of the popular gag manga by Yujiro Koyama. It was also made into a TV animation.

Synopsis: Agetaro Katsumata’s (Takumi Kitamura) family has runs a tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant in Shibuya, Tokyo, for three generations and he will inherit the restaurant one day. Right now, he performs menial jobs at the restaurant, like chopping up the cabbage and delivering food orders, and he isn’t happy with his work. One day, Agetaro Katsumata delivers tonkatsu to the staff at a nightclub and becomes fascinated by the atmosphere provided by the DJ. He also meets a girl named Enoko who turns his head. Thus, Agetaro makes the decision to become Tonkatsu DJ as he attempts to balance working at the restaurant and providing music for the dance floor.

WAVE!! Surfing Yappe!!   Chapter 3   

WAVE!!～サーフィンやっぺ!!～ 第三章 「WAVE!! Sa-fi-n Yappe!! Dai san shou」

Release Date: October 16th, 2020

Duration: 92 mins.

Director: Takaharu Ozaki

Writer: Kazuyuki Fudeyasu (Script), MAGES (Original Creator)

Starring: Jin Ogasawara (Sho Akitsuki), Tomoaki Maeno (Masaki Hinaoka), Yoshiki Nakajima (Nalu Tanaka), Takuya Sato (Kosuke Iwana), Yusuke Shirai (Yuta Matsukaze), Nobuhiko Okamoto (Rindo Fuke),

Animation Production: Asahi Production

Website ANN MAL

Synopsis: Masaki and Sho are two students in Oorai, Ibaraki prefecture. Sho introduces Masaki to surfing and through the sport, he begins to make friends but he will also drift apart from them as he grows up. What remains constant is his love of surfing. In the latest instalment in this series of films, we get to know Masaki’s childhood friend Nalu Tanaka, a boy with Hawaiian blood, as well as the famous hot-blooded surfer Kosuke Iwana… 

Kichijoji Go-Go-   

吉祥寺ゴーゴー 「Kichijoji Go-Go-」

Release Date: October 30th, 2020

Duration: 18 mins.

Director: Raita Yabushita

Writer: Raita Yabushita (Script), 

Starring: Haruka Sasaki, Jurian Koike, Takeo Gozu,

A short film produced as part of the “Kichijoji Photo Studio Committee”, a project that collects and organizes old photographs of Kichijoji, an area in Tokyo, and looks at the appearance of Kichijoji in a variety of cultures. Writer/director Raita Yabushita normally works as a photographer. The setting is Inohashira Park which is where the film Parks is set.

Synopsis: Aki and Mari have travelled in time from 1970 to the modern Inokashira Park, in Kichijoji, and they encounter an old man. An unexpected relationship becomes clear when they meet and their destiny is united…

Closet (2020)   

クローゼット（2020） 「Kuro-setto (2020)」

Release Date: October 30th, 2020

Duration: 95 mins.

Director: Takehiro Shindo

Writer: Fumi Sawada (Script), 

Starring: Yosuke Minokawa, Aino Kurihara, Iku Arai, Kanako Miyashita, Ryo Shinoda, Shinji Ozeki, Sachiko Nakagome,

Website

Synopsis: Ever since his traffic accident, Shin has been unable to function as a man and will not be able to have sex or have children for the rest of his life. Shin’s feeling of loneliness and despair brings him to the “sleeping room,” which is a place where guests of all ages, both men and women, visit so they can cuddle and reveal their problems. Shin gradually regains himself by meeting such people. However, a woman he meet asks him to die with her 

Sumou-do samurai o tsugu-sha-tachi   

相撲道　サムライを継ぐ者たち 「Sumou-do samurai o tsugu-sha-tachi」

Release Date: October 30th, 2020

Duration: 104 mins.

Director: Eiji Sakata

Writer: N/A

Starring: Narration by Kenichi Endo

Website

Synopsis: A documentary that follows the world of sumo, which has a history of more than 1500 years and is deeply rooted in Japanese life as a national sport. For about half a year from December 2018, the cameras have been in close contact with two rehearsals in the Sakaigawa and Takadagawa stables. It captured powerful images and sounds, and reveals the charm of sumo from various angles such as history, culture and competition. 

Mimicry Freaks   

超擬態人間 「Chô-gitai ningen」

Release Date: October 30th, 2020

Duration: 80 mins.

Director: Shugo Fujii

Writer: Shugo Fujii (Script), “Ghost of Chibusa Enoki” (by Seiu Ito) (Original Story)

Starring: Tatsuji Sugiyama, Tomoya Mochizuki, Daiki Tanaka, Hitomi Kawano, Hiroshi Katsura, Takako Sakai, Miya Savini, Riku Enomoto, Etsuko Tanemura,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: One morning. Fuma and his son Ren wake up in a place deep in a forest forest. Disorientated, they find themselves thrown into a panic due and forced to flee through the trees by a sudden attack from a Japanese monster known as a Namahage. Meanwhile, a wedding planner taking a couple and the bride’s father to the wedding ceremony hall for a rehearsal loses their way in the forest and the car breaks down. These two parties collide.

This year’s Halloween movie review is back and I am returning to a familiar name for this year’s chosen film, Shinya Tsukamoto. There are slight spoilers in here.

Gemini   

双生児 -GEMINI- 「そうせいじ ジェミニ 」

Release Date: September 15th, 1999

Duration: 83 mins.

Director: Shinya Tsukamoto

Writer: Shinya Tsukamoto (Script), Edogawa Rampo (Original Story – Souseiji: Aru Shikeiin ga Kyoukaishi ni Uchiaketa Hanashi)

Starring: Masahiro Motoki, Ryo, Yasutaka Tsutsui, Shiho Fujimura, Akaji Maro, Masako Motai, Renji Ishibashi, Tomorowo Taguchi, Tadanobu Asano, Naoto Takenaka, Yuriko Hirooka,

IMDB

Gemini (1999) is an adaptation of the Edogawa Rampo story ‘The Twins’ by Shinya Tsukamoto. Now, tone down any expectations of hyper-stylised violence and prepare yourself for psychological horror as a doppelganger forces a doctor to confront class issues in Tsukamoto’s first period film.

It is Meiji-era Japan and as the country goes through growth pains Yukio (Masahiro Motoki) has been blessed with good fortune. Following his unscathed return from being a military surgeon on the bloody frontlines of an unspecified war, he has followed in his father’s footsteps and taken over the practice in his family’s beautiful home. He is handsome, highly educated and refined, a naturally talented doctor, and well-respected by those who can afford him. To cap things off, he has a beautiful wife, Rin (Ryo). The only wrinkle in his picture-perfect life is that Rin has no past for she has amnesia and nobody knows a thing about her and her social status, something which rankles his parents. Despite this, Yukio is happy.

Things begin to go wrong for him during an outbreak of a plague in a nearby slum. Desperate people besiege his home with entreaties for help but the doctor prioritises treatment of the well-to-do and abandons the needy. Feelings of guilt over his actions turn into paranoia as he becomes aware of strange smells and a shadowy figure lurking in his abode and Rin begins to resent his behaviour towards the poor. When his parents die in mysterious circumstances, a warning from his mother before her death suggests Yukio’s seemingly perfect background has a shadow cast over it. When he is confronted by a stranger named Sutekichi (Masahiro Motoki) who shares his face, the doctor finds himself forced to come to terms with a hidden side to his character at the same time as the mystery of Rin’s past is revealed and it seems that everything finds its roots in the social fault-lines of Japan.

I recommended toning down expectations in the opening paragraph because you might be familiar with Tsukamoto’s frenetic cyberpunk stories Tetsuo: The Iron Man and Tetsuo II: Body Hammer where metal sprouts from skin and apocalyptic visions are rendered in stop motion, crazed editing takes us deep into psychosis, and icky body horror is done in practical effects that splinter the screen. Following those career-defining and insane bursts of energy, Tsukamoto moved more towards a calm and considered realism in his 90s output. Though there are bouts of extreme violence and crazy camerawork in his boxing drama Tokyo Fist (1995) and the grim film noir Bullet Ballet (1998), his early energy gave way to increasingly contemplative and brooding stories that allowed for deep dives into ambience as is seen here.

Tsukamoto creates a wonderfully moody Meiji gothic chamber piece in this film thanks to an atmospheric set and his artistic vision. His central location is a traditional house with twisty corridors, dark wood floors, gorgeous fusuma with their illustrations, and shoji that are perfect for letting in varying levels of light and acting as a backdrop for menacing shadows as Sutekichi impinges on Yukio’s perfect life. Interiors are shot with a variety of lighting techniques that emphasise shadows and the use of saturated colours, such as amber and blue, throw a disconcerting and surreal light on surroundings and characters.

These design choices lend the film an almost fairy tale-like feel but the story definitely spikes in moments of horror, especially the night-time introduction of Sutekichi in his garish garb.

Meanwhile, the exteriors offer little reprieve from tension as we are taken to a finely manicured garden but spend a lot of time in a claustrophobic dry well and we enter a chaotic slum crowded with beggars and trash, the likes of which Yukio and his ilk avoid. It is from here which threats and feelings of guilt emanate for the rich and Sutekichi is a symbolic representative of these people.

Throughout the film the issue of class is repeatedly brought up, whether it’s Yukio’s refusal to help the poor, his family’s offensive essentialist beliefs in the natural inferiority of the lower classes, or the upset caused by Rin’s lack of pedigree. Sutekichi’s invasion and inversion of Yukio’s life and the revelation of his background leads to a fundamental questioning of his beliefs as it posits a scenario that pulls apart Yukio’s rigid class definitions that strip people of their humanity. Furthermore, the film effectively explores the duality of human nature as the rich and civilised Yukio confronts his twin, a more animalistic antagonist who bristles with class resentment and makes him understand his position is merely a quirk of fate rather than breeding. The use of twins allows the story to symbolise this inner struggle, the well, a focal point of the drama, being symbolic sort of Yukio’s unconscious, perhaps.

Reading the film as an allegory is helped by the sense that the setting has no specific time. The military costumes and household props locate us in the early 20th century, a time when Japan modernised, its population exploded as did rates of urban poverty, but the striking makeup, which leaves the upper-class cast of characters without eyebrows and painted an aristocratic shade of white, and the mannered behaviour of the performers all adds to the blurring in time periods so that it moves the film into the realm of a fairy tale. It may be set in the past but this story remains relevant today as societies around the world grapple with increasing levels of poverty and discrimination so it is well worth watching and considering the ideas in this film.

Keeping the whole thing flowing are strong performances from the cast, Masahiro Motoki absolutely capturing the massively different behaviours of his two characters while Ryo is a luminous and mysterious beauty who enraptures the camera in many a scene, some which feel like dreamlike fashion shoots as she is wrapped in gorgeous kimono, others requiring her to carry weighty dramatic loads. The two have to balance a love story amidst heavy storylines full of conflict and they do so well, their relationship feeling essential as various conflicts are played out.

Released a year after Bullet Ballet, Gemini came at a time when the world clamoured for more J-horror after audiences experienced terror with Ring (1998) and it was shown at festivals alongside Shikoku, Ring, Ring 2, and Audition and like the latter title, it provides a great contrast to the stories full of vengeful ghosts as it gives audiences a historical horror story with a degree of social commentary that is done in a strikingly beautiful way.

Following this film, Tsukamoto returned to stories set in contemporary times and continued to toned down the horror and special effects. However, explorations of the human psyche, love triangles and hidden histories would be features in his next couple of films, A Snake of June (2002), a psycho-sexual drama where a woman is blackmailed into public acts of indecency, and Vital (2004), which has an amnesiac medical school student digging through his memories of a past lover whilst cutting up corpses. If you want to continue exploring Tsukamoto’s works, these are where you need to go.

And with that, I bid you a Happy Halloween!

Third Window Films are going to bolster their stable of  Shinya Tsukamoto films by issuing a (Region B) blu-ray release of Gemini, his 1999 horror title, on November 02nd.

It has a sparkling HD transfer that is pin-sharp and accentuates the colours and the extras, which the disc is packed full of, do a brilliant job of going into the background of the film.

The Takashi Miike documentary provided has nice snapshots of the film but these snippets of shoots are fleshed out in the “Behind the Scenes” which show, in depth, the creation of all of the key sequences, from the prop creation and costume fitting to filming multiple takes where Tsukamoto works with the actors on their performances and in utilising CG. There’s a great section where the construction of and filming in the well is gone into detail and reveals what a remarkable feat was accomplished.

It’s all fascinating viewing that adds extra depth to the film which has a fantastic score by Tsukamoto’s regular composer Chu Ishikawa, one dominated by a track which is all menacing chanting which grows increasingly stronger throughout the film. The make-up demonstration featurette offers some brilliant artistic details and seeing Tsukamoto and his principal cast premiering the film in Venice is a nice addition.

Extra features
New HD transfer
Audio commentary by Tom Mes, author of Iron Man: The Cinema of Shinya Tsukamoto
Making of Gemini” featurette directed by Takashi Miike
Behind the Scenes
Make-up demonstration featurette
Venice Film Festival featurette
Original Trailer
First 1000 units come with slipcase featuring new artwork illustrated by Ian McEwan

Here’s the trailer and synopsis and a little extra info:

Happy weekend (again)!

I hope you are all still well and you had a nice Halloween.

The only change between Friday and now is that I posted a review of Shinya Tsukamoto’s 1999 film Gemini and I will record an episode of the Heroic Purgatory podcast which was dedicated to Ang Lee’s 1994 film Eat Drink Man Woman.

Oh, and yesterday, I watched Phenomena and The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time.

What is released this weekend?

Futsuu ni shinu inochi no jiritsu   

普通に死ぬ　いのちの自立 「Futsuu ni shinu inochi no jiritsu」

Release Date: October 30th, 2020

Duration: 119 mins.

Director: Mayako Sadasue

Writer: N/A

Starring: Kimiko Yo (Narration)

Website

Synopsis: A sequel to the documentary “Living normally” that records the efforts of “Dera-to” and “Lapot”, which are life-care facilities, in Fuji City and Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture, set up by parents to live normally in the community with their children who have severe disabilities. These aging people and their families were recorded over eight years during which there were gradually changing management policies and the construction of a third office in the 10th anniversary of the establishment. It reflects the harsh reality of the difficulty of community life after a central carer in the home life of a person in need of medical care falls ill. In the latter half of the movie, the story is centred around the conflicts and awareness of family members, supporters, and medical professionals. Follow their efforts to “live together” and find hope.

MISSION IN B.A.C. THE MOVIE   

MISSION IN B.A.C. THE MOVIE 幻想と現実の an interval 「Misshon IN B. A. C. THE mūbī gensō to genjitsu no an intābaru」

Release Date: October 30th, 2020

Duration: 82 mins.

Director: Hiroki Yamaguchi

Writer: N/A

Starring: Miyuki Torii, Kanji Tsuda, Yuki Izawa, Wataru Shiokawa, Seiya Inagaki, Kandai Ueda,

Website

This is the movie adaptation of Mission in B.A.C., a LINE LIVE program and is directed by Hiroki Yamaguchi, who worked on the Messiah series and Bloody Sukeban Chainsaw.

Synopsis: Aoyagi, a college student, suffers from strangely real and mysterious dreams of fighting and injuring a mysterious enemy on the battlefield almost every night. Then one morning, it becomes all too real when he is about to be abducted by mysterious men in black but he is sucked up by the huge aerial fortress that appears in the sky. Seven young people, including Aoyagi, are gathered there, and they are tasked with a mission to save the future of the Earth.

Musical `Touken Ranbu’ Uta Awase Ranbu Kyouran 2019 4 DX 

ミュージカル「刀剣乱舞」　歌合　乱舞狂乱 2019 4DX 「Myūjikaru `Touken Ranbu’ Uta Awase Ranbu Kyouran 2019 4 DX」

Release Date: October 30th, 2020

Duration: 82 mins.

Director: Isamu Kayano

Writer: Chuujii Mikasano (Script), DMM Games, Nitroplus (Original Manga)

Starring: Ryo Kitazono, Tsubasa Sakiyama, Shunya Ohira, Yuuki Torigoe, Shoutaro Arisawa, Shougo Sakamoto, Kensuke Takahashi,

Website Touken Ranbu Wiki

Synopsis: This is a recording of a stage musical based on the Touken Ranbu franchise that has been given the 4DX treatment.

Eiga Precure Miracle Leap: Minna to Fushigi na 1-nichi   

映画プリキュアミラクルリープ　みんなとの不思議な1日 「Eiga Precure Miracle Leap: Minna to Fushigi na 1-nichi」

Release Date: October 31st, 2020

Duration: 71 mins.

Director: Toshinori Fukazawa

Writer: Isao Murayama (Script), Izumi Todo (Original Creator)

Starring: Aoi Yuuki (Cure Grace/Nodoka Hanadera), Hiyori Kono (Cure Sparkle/Hinata Hiramitsu), Natsu Yorita (Cure Fontaine/Chiyu Sawaizumi),

Animation Production: Toei Animation

Website ANN MAL

Synopsis: One night, Hikaru meets aliens Lala, Prunce, and Fuwa while watching the sky. She learns of the “Star Palace,” where the 12 Star Princesses of the constellations kept the balance of the universe until they were attacked. Lala is searching for the legendary Precure warriors to help find the 12 scattered “Princess Star Color Pens” which are needed to revive the princesses. When Fuwa is captured by an enemy, Hikaru wishes to save Fuwa, and a Star Color Pendent and a Star Color Pen appear to allow her to transform into Cure Star. From then on she works to collect the pens and raise Fuwa, who is the key to reviving the princesses.

Planet of the Red   

赤い惑星（ほし） 「Akai Wakusei (Hoshi)」

Release Date: October 31st, 2020

Duration: 40 mins.

Director: Daichi Murase

Writer: N/A

Starring: Shingo Nakayama, Irori Miyamoto, Ami Sugihara,

This work was directed by Daichi Murase, a graduate of the film department of Kyoto University of Art and Design in 2019.

Synopsis: Set on a planet where an unknown virus named “Chappy” has spread, a grave keeper named Hitoshi maintains a cemetery where red flags indicate graves. It is a lonely existence but a “man in a red shirt” suddenly appears and settles in Hitoshi’s house. He is followed by “Akari, a woman who draws pictures”. A strange time flows between the three.

Howl from Beyond the Fog   

狭霧の國 「Sagiri no Kuni」

Release Date: October 31st, 2020

Duration: 35 mins.

Director: Daisuke Sato

Writer: Daisuke Sato (Script),

Starring: Suguru Inoue, Michiyo Ishimoto, Akane Kanamori, Nana Nagao,

Website IMDB

This is short animation that pays homage to monster movies from the 1990s. It incorporates traditional special effects techniques such as having miniature sets.

Synopsis: During the Meiji era, a young man named Eiji ventures to a town in a mountainous region of Kyushu and witnesses a blind girl named Takiri and a monster called Nebula who lives in a mountain lake. The girl keeps the monster a secret, but soon everyone will know as he is called upon to fight against greedy developers who threaten to take over her family’s land.

Hakuchi: The Innocent   

白痴 「Hakuchi」

Release Date: October 31st, 2020

Duration: 146 mins.

Director: Macoto Tezuka

Writer: Macoto Tezuka (Script), Ango Sakaguchi (Original Novel)

Starring: Tadanobu Asano, Miyako Koda, Reika Hashimoto, Masao Kusakari, Masumi Okada, Kaori Kawamura, Miyuki Ono,

Website IMDB

Macoto Tezuka of Barbara and Legend of the Stardust Brothers fame made this in the 90s and it was shown at the Venice International Film Festival 1999. It reworks a wartime novel by Ango Sakaguchi and utilised the latest in media and video technology to tell a sci-fi tale. Tezuka built a huge open set, and spent 10 years filming on it, before exploding it and burning it in the climatic scene.

Synopsis: Izawa (Tadanobu Asano) is works in the TV industry making popular patriotic programmes with an idol for a nation constantly at war. Despite this glamour, he lives in the slums. The wife of one of his neighbours, a mysterious, mute women, leaves her husband and secretly moves into Izawa’s home. The man soon becomes caught between the idol and the mute woman whilst struggling with his career.

Muchi no Sekai   

ムチノセカイ 「Muchi no Sekai」

Release Date: October 31st, 2020

Duration: 57 mins.

Director: Kohei Tadano

Writer: N/A

Starring: Shingo Nakayama, Akira Matsui, Daichi Murase,

Website

This work was produced by director Kohei Tadano, a graduate of the film department of Kyoto University of Art and Design in 2020, when he was in the second year, and it is his theatrical debut.

Synopsis: Shingo works a dead-end part-time job which pays the rent for the place he shares with another freeter, Akira. Their relationship goes through a series of changes when a third man stays with them and then Akira suddenly gets a job at a company and brings his boss Suzuki home…

Lovers on Borders   

ポルトの恋人たち　時の記憶 「Poruto no koibitotachi toki no kioku」

Release Date: November 10th, 2018

Running Time: 139 mins.

Director: Atsushi Funahashi

Writer: Atsushi Funahashi, Shigeru Murakoshi (Screenplay),

Starring: Tasuku Emoto, Yuta Nakano, Ana Moreira, Antonio Duraes, Flavio Hamilton, Alex Miranda, Miguel Monteiro, Valdemar Santos,

Website IMDB

Lovers on Borders is an international co-production between Japan and Portugal that was released in 2018. Based on an original script by writer Shigeru Murakoshi and director Atsushi Funahashi, it tells the story of a relationship between two lost souls that defies many lines of separation. Life and death, geographical distance, language, race, religion, social class, hatred, and ultimately time are traversed in a love story that takes nearly 300 years to reach fruition.

The film starts in Japan in 2021, a year after the Tokyo Olympic Games have successfully been held but have failed to revitalise the economy and ten years after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the effects of which continue to haunt the nation.

Feeling this depression quite sharply is the Japanese-Brazilian community in Hamamtsu whose main source of employment is an ailing factory. When the owners decide, through a combination of cold capitalism and xenophobia, that the best way to save the business is to cut the number of already overworked foreign staff, they send hapless executive Shuji Kase (Tasuku Emoto) to the shop floor to wield the axe. One of the victims is talented guitarist Koshiro (Yuta Nakano) whose unemployment puts his legal status and future plans in jeopardy. He commits suicide and leaves behind his devoted wife, a Portuguese woman named Marina (Ana Moreira) who loved to sing fado songs with accompaniment from Koshiro but is now left swearing vengeance on Shuji.

Intertwined and inter-cut into this narrative is a period drama, replete with historic locations and convincing costumes, but with a set-up that mirrors the present-tense narrative and whose conclusion offers a sense of foreboding.

We are taken to Portugal after the Great Lisbon earthquake and tsunami of 1755 strikes and we find another country brought to its knees by a natural disaster. Aristocrat Gaspar de Carvalho (Antonio Duraes) returns from Asia to oversee reconstruction of his family’s estate. With him are slaves including two Japanese, a mute man named Soji (Tasuku Emoto) and his friend Shiro (Yuta Nakano). They find themselves in a perilous situation as they are subject to racism and being worked to death by their cruel master.

However, at the point of despair, seeds of hope are planted as Soji meets and falls in love with Mariana (Ana Moreira), a peasant who lost her parents in the disaster and now works on Gaspar’s estate. Without words, through physical gestures alone, these two people from vastly different countries and social circumstances understand how each other feel but the aristocrat’s hatred of the Japanese tears the lovers apart before their romance can truly blossom and so Mariana enacts a shocking vengeance on Gaspar.

With so many echoes across timelines, tension is built, not so much from characters traversing traditional borders, but from the hope that people can break repetition which will lead to tragedy.

Foreshadowing plays a big part of the film as Marina sets her sights on avenging her husband in a similar fashion to Mariana, even though she and Shuji are effectively reincarnations of fated lovers. The looming shadow of a self-fulfilling prophecy cuts between time periods while raw human emotions are examined as Marina grapples with the idea that might just be able to love the man partially responsible for her beloved husband’s death. This leaves the audience on tenterhooks as to how things will end.

Happy weekend, everyone.

I hope you are all doing well.

There was only one post this week and it was for the Atsushi Funahashi film Lovers on Borders (2019). I watched were The Colour Out of Space (2019), a brilliant updating of one of H.P. Lovecraft’s best stories, The Day of the Triffids (1963), a competent b-movie (I haven’t read the source novel) and The House on Haunted Hill.

Like last week (and probably going forward), I’ve split this trailer post into two due to the large amount of films being released thanks to the Covid-19 backlog from earlier this year.

What is released this weekend?

Junihitoe wo Kita Akuma   

十二単衣を着た悪魔 「Junihitoe wo Kita Akuma」

Release Date: November 06th, 2020

Duration: 112 mins.

Director: Hitomi Kuroki

Writer: Kumi Tawada (Script), Makiko Uchidate (Original Novel)

Starring: Kentaro Ito, Ayaka Miyoshi, Sairi Itoh, Naho Toda, Lasalle Ishii, Yusuke Iseya, Mio, Yae,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Rai (Kentaro Ito) is a freeter who has failed employment exams while his younger brother is on the pathway to success as he will enter the venerable halls of Kyoto University. While Rai drifts through life and wallows in an inferiority complex, he is working as a part-time labourer on an exhibition for classic novel “The Tale of Genji” where he finds parallels with his life in two of the characters. One night, on the way back home during a storm, he loses consciousness and wakes up to find himself in the world of “The Tale of Genji.” Having learned about the story due to the exhibition, he takes advantage of his modern-day knowledge to ingratiate himself into court life where he becomes an advisor to the emperor’s wife Nyogo Kokiden (Ayaka Miyoshi), a fearless woman who wants her son (Taketo Tanaka) to become emperor.

Ora, Ora Be Goin’ Alone 

おらおらでひとりいぐも 「Ora Ora de Hitori Igumo」

Release Date: November 06th, 2020

Duration: 137 mins.

Director: Shuichi Okita

Writer: Shuichi Okita (Script), Chisako Wakatake (Original Novel)

Starring: Yuko Tanaka, Yu Aoi, Masahiro Higashide, Gaku Hamada, Amane Okayama, Machiko Washio, Kankuro Kudo, Munetaka Aoki, Tomoko Tabata,

Website IMDB

Shuichi Okita, director of A Story of Yonosuke (2013), The Woodsman and the Rain  (2012), gathers together a great cast to bring to life a story that looks a little like a tear-jerker.

Synopsis: Momoko (Yuko Tanaka) is seventy-five-years old and lives alone in Tokyo. It wasn’t always like this. In 1964, Momoko (Yu Aoi) arrived in Tokyo and met a handsome man named Shuzo (Masahiro Higashide) who she married. An increase in their family soon followed as she gave birth to two children but then her husband dies and Momoko is left bereft in life. Then, she begins to go to a library and finds solace and companionship in the books on offer. As an older woman, she looks back on her life with voices of loneliness offering comments. 

Georama Boy Panorama Girl     

ジオラマボーイ・パノラマガール 「Jiprama Bo-i Panorama Ga-ru」

Release Date: November 06th, 2020

Duration: 105 mins.

Director: Natsuki Seta

Writer: Natsuki Seta (Script), Kyoko Okazaki (Original Manga)

Starring: Anna Yamada, Jin Suzuki, Erika Takizawa, Sora Hirata, Kogarashi Wakasugi, Ibuki Mochida, Riko Narumi, Misato Morita,

Website IMDB

This is the latest work of Natsuki Seta (Parks) and it has gotten a solid review in the Japan Times.

Synopsis: Kenichi Kanagawa (Jin Suzuki) is a hard-working high schooler about to take his university entrance exams when he suddenly quits his education and starts hanging around Shibuya trying to be cool. Fellow high schooler Haruko Shibuya (Anna Yamada) is a little more laidback and looking for an idealised romance. The two meet after Kenichi is beaten up following a date with an older woman named Mayumi (Misato Morita) and an unpleasant encounter with one of her “friends”. For Haruko, it is love but Kenichi is still thinking about Mayumi…

461 Days of Bento: A Promise Between Father and Son   

461個のおべんとう 「461ko no Obento」

Release Date: November 06th, 2020

Duration: 119 mins.

Director: Atsushi Kaneshige

Writer: Atsushi Kaneshige, Masashi Shimizu (Script), Toshimi Watanabe (Original Essay)

Starring: Yoshihiko Inohara, Shunsuke Michieda, Nana Mori, Haruko Kudo, Junko Abe, Emi Kurara, Jiei Wakabayashi, Chieko Baisho, Maki Sakai,

Website IMDB

Apparently, this is based on an essay by Toshimi Watanabe of “TOKYO No.1 SOUL SET”.

Synopsis: Kazuki Suzumoto (Yoshihiko Inohara) is a free-spirited musician who has just divorced. He lives with his 15-year-old son Kouki (Shunsuke Michieda) who is struggling with his high school entrance exam. When Kouki mentions how he thinks his father’s bento is great, Kazuki promises that he will make a lunch box everyday and Kouki promises that he will never skip school.

SAWADA From Aomori to Vietnam The Life and Death of Kyoichi Sawada, Pulitzer Prize-winning Photographer 

SAWADA 青森からベトナムへ　ピュリッツァー賞カメラマン沢田教一の生と死 「SAWADA Aomori kara Betonamu e pyurittsa-shou Kameraman Sawada Kyoichi no Seitoshi」

Release Date: November 03rd, 2020

Duration: 115 mins.

Director: Sho Igarashi

Writer: N/A

Starring: Sata Sawada, Akihiko Okamura,

The film is being screened at the Tokyo Photographic Museum where there is a permanent exhibition of cameras and other items used by the Japanese photographer Kyoichi Sawada who died 50 years ago in Cambodia at the age of 34 after making his name covering the Vietnam war. There are tens of thousands of negatives that are in the museum’s possession, his metal helmet and press badge.

Synopsis: A documentary about the life of Kyoichi Sawada, a news photographer who won many awards including the Pulitzer Prize and the Robert Capa Prize for his coverage of the Vietnam War. The film uses testimonies from family and colleagues as well as numerous photographs and negatives left by Sawada to tell his story.

Beautiful Dreamer   

ビューティフルドリーマー 「Byu-tefuru Dori-ma-」

Release Date: November 06th, 2020

Duration: 75 mins.

Director: Katsuyuki Motohiro

Writer: Yusuke Moriguchi (Script), Mamoru Oshii (Original Story)

Starring: Sara Ogawa, Kanro Morita, Fuju Kamio, Riko Fujitani, Sayaka Akimoto, Takumi Saito, Shieri Hiro,

Website

Production I.G and video and music label Avex teamed up to create Cinema Lab, a live-action film label dedicated to making works with people who have a proven track record of success. People involved include Cinema Lab added directors Kazuya Konaka (Ultraman series, Deep Red Love) and Shinichiro Ueda (One Cut of the Dead) and Mamoru Oshii (Patlabor, Ghost in the Shell). Beautiful Dreamer is their first project. The director is Katsuyuki Motohiro who works between live-action and anime. He is the director of many installments of the Bayside Shakedown series as well as the chief director for the first two Psycho-Pass series and the 2015 film and the Human Lost CG film.

Synopsis: Sara (Sara Ogawa) is the leader of a university filmmaking circle called Sensho Design University Film Research Group, and they are preparing for the school festival by attempting to make a student film. The thing is, they have never made a film before! However, Sara has a mysterious dream about “something in the corner of the classroom,” and she follows her dream to find a really old cardboard box, inside of which is an old script, a production note, and 16mm film. These items have been handed down over the generations of the club. The note says “Whenever we try to shoot, something terrifying happens.” Sara, together with the club members and almuni, decides this is the project they will make.

Monster Strike The Movie: Lucifer Zetsubou no Yoake   

モンスターストライク THE MOVIE ルシファー　絶望の夜明け 「Dounika Naru Hibi」

Release Date: October 23rd, 2020

Duration: 127 mins.

Director: Koubun Shizuno

Writer: Masaya Honda (Script), 

Starring: Yoko Hikasa (Lucifer), Yui Ogura (Pandora), Souma Saitou (Noah), Nana Mizuki (Arthur), Maaya Uchida (Solomon),

Animation Production: Anima, Dynamo Pictures

Website ANN MAL

Synopsis: Ren Homura has mastered the “Monster Strike” game and his dragon Oragon is still by his side but Lucifer has plans to bring destruction and despair.

Happy weekend!

I hope you are still all feeling good.

Following yesterday’s trailer post, I jumped onto this one and then prepared material for English conversation class and prepped to go back to my regular day job. I really need to restart writing reviews for my blog!

What else is released this weekend?

Doran   

動乱 「Doran」

Release Date: January 15th, 1980

Duration: 150 mins.

Director: Shiro Moritani

Writer: Nobuo Yamada (Script), Mamoru Oshii (Original Manga)

Starring: Ken Takakura, Sayuri Yoshinaga, Masakane Yonekura, Junko Sakurada, Takahiro Tamura, Takashi Shimura, Kei Sato, Kunie Tanaka,

Website IMDB

This is a 4K digital remastered version that is in cinemas. Here’s a review of the film by Matthew Legare.

Synopsis: April 1945, in the bitterly cold climes of Sendai, a soldier named Mizoguchi goes AWOL and heads home at the time that his older sister Kaoru (Sayuri Yoshinaga) is about to be sold as a “geisha” for 1,000 yen because of their family’s financial hardship. Captain Keisuke Miyagi (Ken Takakura) goes to apprehend him with some NCOs but a scuffle ensues and Mizoguchi kills one of them. Miyagi hands Kaoru’s family 1,000 yen and tries to defend Mizoguchi but it’s all for nought as the young soldier is executed and Kaoru is sent to a brothel in a Manchuria/Korea border town. For his efforts, Miyagi is sent to the same location and he meets her there…

Railroad Man   

鉄道員（ぽっぽや） 「Poppoya」

Release Date: June 05th, 1999

Duration: 112 mins.

Director: Yasuo Furuhata

Writer: Yoshiki Iwama (Script), Jiro Asada (Original Novel)

Starring: Ken Takakura, Shinobu Otake, Ryoko Hirosue, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Masanobu Ando, Ken Shimura, Tomoko Naraoka, Yoshiko Tanaka, Mitsuru Hirata, Renji Ishibashi,

Website IMDB

Here’s a review on Far East Films.

Synopsis: A middle-aged stationmaster on the Horomai Line, a lonely Hokkaido local line, has reached retirement age but still continues to pour himself into his work. One day, he receives news that the line will be decommissioned due to a lack of profitability. As that day approaches, he looks back on his life and remembers the day he lost his beloved wife and daughter. He is then visited by a young woman, who mysteriously appears to cheer him up. She looks like his late daughter Yukiko.

Saitan kyori wa mawarikudokute, rakka ryusui

最短距離は回りくどくて、　落花流水 「Saitan kyori wa mawarikudokute, rakka ryūsui」

Release Date: November 06th, 2020

Duration: 70 mins.

Director: Daisuke Yamanouchi

Writer: Daisuke Yamanouchi (Script), Hideo Tsuchida (Original Novel)

Starring: Riku Mukai, CIMA, Kohei Watanabe, Muo Hattori, Taishi Takemoto,

Website

No trailer, so here is the one from the last instalment.

Synopsis: The third movie in a boys love movie that ties up the romance between Yuuto and Aoyama.

Nekutai o Shimeta Hyakusho Ikki   

ネクタイを締めた百姓一揆 「Saitan kyori wa mawarikudokute, rakka ryūsui」

Release Date: November 06th, 2020

Duration: 147 mins.

Director: Jibeta Kono

Writer: Jibeta Kono (Script), Hideo Tsuchida (Original Novel)

Starring: Yoshihiro Kanno, Hideyuki Chida, Naoyuki Kido, Toshiharu Fujiwara, Yoshitake Obara, Masumi Nakamura,

Website

Synopsis: In the 1970s the Tokaido Shinkansen lines was expanding throughout Japan and Japanese National Railways (JNR) announced the Tohoku Shinkansen basic construction plan which the citizens of Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, expected to be a part of. They were not included due to JNR’s budgetary constraints. However, the citizenry, local businesses and local government launched a petition to get the station. This film charts that story.

Blue Forest   

青い、森 「Aoi, Mori」

Release Date: November 06th, 2020

Duration: 50 mins.

Director: Takuya Uchiyama

Writer: Takuya Uchiyama, Sou Ideuchi (Script), Hideo Tsuchida (Original Novel)

Starring: Hiroya Shimizu, Shutaro Kadoshita, Taketo Tanaka, Koichi Ito, Fushi Iwasaki, Noriyuki Tamada,

Website

Synopsis: Teenager Nami (Hiroya Shimizu) was raised by his grandfather following the death of his parents. When his grandfather dies, he begins to close his heart to the world until he meets Shimura (Shutaro Kadoshita) and Nagaoka (Taketo Tanaka), two young men who become such close friends that they feel like family. To mark the end of their high school years, the three of them decide to hitchhike north but Nami mysteriously disappears. Four years elapse and the mystery remains…

Kansha Hanare Zutto Issho ni   

感謝離　ずっと一緒に 「Kansha Hanare Zutto Issho ni」

Release Date: November 06th, 2020

Duration: 70 mins.

Director: Yuuichi Onuma

Writer: Fumiko Suzuki (Script), Keiichi Kawasaki (Original Novel)

Starring: Isao Bito, Mie Nakao, Arina Sakakibara, Nao Nawa,

Website

Synopsis: Kenzo Kasai worked as a bank clerk until he retired to a nice quiet life with his loyal wife Kazuko. They live in temporary housing as they wait for a new home but, unfortunately, one day, Kazuko collapses due to a cerebral infarction. She has to live in a home for the elderly due to her needing to use a wheelchair but dreams of living in a new home with Kenzo but a few years later, she passes away still living in the facility. When Kenzo began to organise his and Kazuko’s personal belongings at what should have been the couple’s house, hed gradually began to move forward, infusing words of gratitude into each item filled with memories with his wife.

The Pinkie   

さまよう　小指　　Samayou Koyubi

Release Date: September 14th, 2014 (Japan)

Duration: 63 mins.

Director: Lisa Takeba

Writer: Lisa Takeba (Screenplay),

Starring: Ryota Ozawa, Miwako Wagatsuma, Haruka Suenaga, Kanji Tsuda,

Website

When I first saw this film I fell in love with it and hyped the director up. Lisa Takeba is one of those multi-hyphenate talents whose imagination covers writing, directing and more. She has a background in advertising and writing videogames for the likes of Nintendo so she’s got a lot of experience with different styles to work with, something which shows in this fun and insane mash-up of genres where rom-com meets offbeat sci-fi and yakuza thrills in a story that firmly places love at the centre of everything.

The story is about love as experienced by four people but it starts with two.

Since they were both five, Ryosuke (Ryota Ozawa) has been stalked by Momoko (Miwako Wagatsuma) – the ugliest girl in the village. Momoko’s love for Ryosuke is so boundless that she has her face surgically altered to suit his taste – but still, he wants nothing to do with her. Ryosuke is a louche NEET who is in love with the girlfriend of a yakuza boss, a slippery dame named Manami (Haruka Suenaga), but when the boss finds out about their affair he has Ryosuke’s little finger hacked off and chases him off. Magically, the finger falls into Momoko’s hands and she uses it to clone Ryosuke so she can finally have him (or almost him) for herself – and that’s the first five minutes of this deranged tale of pure-hearted love.

With the duration of an hour, The Pinkie has one gear: go. It breathlessly runs through plot points with a cheery smile and a wink for the audience as Takeba melds a melange of influences together with nods to Noburu Iguchi and Kinji Fukusaku stylisations, the physical effects, CG and goofiness reminiscent of the former’s splatter style and the action scenes, their camera angles and on-screen text having the rebel energy of the latter. There’s even a reference to the training sequence in Rocky and the unstoppable killing prowess of a T-800 from Terminator which act as the basis for funny comedy sequences.

These are just references that I saw but there’s so much more original life and energy and creativity in the cinematic language deployed on screen to indicate Takeba knows how to craft a film and is a unique talent and not just derivative like so many other directors.

She knows how to frame a shot, how to light it, move a camera, what effects to use and how to get excellent blocking to milk the most of the emotions and make them radiate on screen. Close-ups on something often cut to a wider shot to reveal a punchline. For instance, Takeba’s taste for delightful physical effects is seen so often and framed perfectly such as a scene where ocean waves crafted from cardboard are shot in a close-up with a character on a rocky shore which we realise ingeniously substitutes for being on a fishing boat upon a wider shot. The camera during a POV shot swings and cuts to a medium close-up after a Ryosuke receives a slap to show him drunkenly gallivanting around town. Momoko is often captured with soft lighting as she fixates on her beloved, selling the romance, and a red string ties their pinkies together, a nice DIY physical touch that shows the naivete and force of passion Momoko has.

There’s a lot of humour and verve on display – plus a Full Metal Alchemist action figure in the cloning scene – and it makes the film so much fun but the real effect comes in the enduring sense of love the characters exude thanks to the committed acting.

I mentioned violence and action earlier but these are just the other side of all the love on display and it’s most prominent because of the exaggerated performances.

In the lead role is Miwako Wagatsuma who, as an actress, rose from bit-parts in films like The Drudgery Train and Guilty of Romance, to taking the lead in indies like The End of Puberty, Sentimental Yasuko, Kuro and Shin Shin Shin and even big budget movies with Heroine Shikkaku (2015) before going on hiatus to have a child. Here, she plays her character slightly cartoonishly with heightened movements and reactions that accentuate the emotions so that they feel so pure and fun. She is a joyful presence on screen. She tones it down towards the end as her romance doesn’t quite go the way expected and she shows maturity and the purity of her love with a sacrifice in an ending that had me emotional. I honestly fell in love with her. Meanwhile, Ryota Ozawa does a convincing job playing the filthy Ryosuke and the pure-hearted clone, his demeanour (and hairstyle) changing for each character to convince us he is a different person.

When the credits role, what is certain is that the film captures how transformative love is and how powerful a motivator it can be and does so in a fun way. Takeba’s style and her actors sell it with joy and then some. The film is a low-budget indie title that has more character than many films from Japan because of the talents of the people involved and Takeba’s playful vision and I hope Takeba gets more support in the years ahead.

Haruko’s Paranormal Laboratory   

春子超常現象研究所「 Haruko Chojo Gensho Kenkyujo」

Release Date: December 05th, 2015

Duration: 73 mins.

Director: Lisa Takeba

Writer: Lisa Takeba (Screenplay),

Starring: Aoi Nakamura, Moeka Nozaki, Fumiyo Kohinata, Sayaka Aoki, Takumi Saito, Yumiko Takahashi,

Website    IMDB

The spirit of love and youth animates everything in Lisa Takeba’s sophomore feature. With the imagination and energy of a high schooler drunk with love for B-movies, she showers the screen with handmade sets, head-spinning moments of romance, and characters set up to accentuate the giddy energy of love as Takeba crafts a colourful, creative and offbeat tale of a maladjusted girl finding romance with a TV in a film that doesn’t belabour but parodies and placates the existential angst living creatures feel as they seek a place in the world.

The story begins  with Haruko (Moeka Nozaki), a loner with a passion for the paranormal, something she has longed to encounter since childhood when she sought out an alien abduction to free her of her high school days which were fraught with betrayal and bullying. Her only company at home is her television, an old analogue set from the 1950 which, one day, transforms into a man (Aoi Nakamura) with a TV-shaped head. Haruko names him Terebi and soon falls in love with him. Their path to true love proves to be rocky and the two have to work through issues, Haruko’s being a hatred of other people and Terebi’s being an existential crisis brought on by the fact he was once an inanimate object and not human (so what are feelings and aree his real or something he learned from a TV show!?!?!).

Their travails proceed along with a fizz-bang bop of a step as the two leads get involved with many mischievous characters in misadventures – an arsonist and a “small-change” robber who steals coins, a militant NHK fee collector, cosplayers romping through forests and rampaging through scenes. While this is going on, Terebi seeks his humanity in the company of horny housewives and a freakshow circus, where the acts have psycho powers, in an effort trying to deprogram himself from years of learned behaviour from serial soap operas he has broadcast since 1953. This leads to nice comedic digressions as some cause him a degree of multiple personality disorder while Haruko undergoes her own transformations and crashes against the outer-worldly. What unites everyone is a yearning for a place in the world and, yes, love.

The film simultaneously inhabits the realms of the absurd and romantic and attempts to cultivate an admiration for its characters in the audience who watch these individuals strive for a human connection that embeds them somewhere, their every action crying out for love. It is a feeling that will touch the hearts of audiences.

This story is delivered in a luminous trace of pop-culture and Takeba thinks nothing of throwing together ideas that are seemingly counterintuitive and outre to placate what feels like an almost insatiable desire for love. Each character fights for what they believe in, quite literally, in this flick! The acting is at operatic levels and the tone is set at silly but tongues are clearly and firmly in cheeks so this film is like a good-natured avant-garde romantic Rimbaldian hippy indulging in a revelry with modern mythological transfiguration to make things surreal and the conclusion is satisfying as normality is established but hints that the fantastical is always a possibility. We’d all like to live in a world with that opportunity.

In Lisa Takeba’s world, love is everything. It can overcome emotional trauma, death and aliens. The hope to find a special one and make a family is the beating heart of every weird and wacky character, each of whom gets to go on misadventures in Takeba’s movies. Wowed with and loving her film The Pinkie, I leapt on to this one she released a year later and discovered, much to my delight, she continued being consistently silly, imaginative, inventive and free in ways her more staid, serious and august colleagues fail to be. Haruko’s Paranormal Laboratory is a charming slice of love-fiction that leaps and bounds, nymph-like, between people seeking warmth and is widely enjoyable.

Happy weekend everyone

I hope you are all well

This is part one of the trailer post and it will cover films I have already written about in some form. The ones gathered here have been taken from my Annecy, Japan Cuts, and TokyoIFF 2020 posts. 

In terms of what I have done this week, I have gone to work and posted reviews of two Lisa Takeba films, The Pinkie and Haruko‘s Paranormal Laboratory. I have watched the films Lisa and the Devil, Zodiac, and VHS2.

What is released this weekend?

Life: Untitled   

タイトル、拒絶　 「Taitoru, kyozetsu」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 98 mins.

Director: Kana Yamada

Writer: Kana Yamada (Screenplay)

Starring: Sairi Ito, Yuri Tsunematsu, Reiko Kataoka, Denden, Aimi Satsukawa, Kokoro Morita, War Marui, Aika Yukihira,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Based on a stage play by the director, this film stars Sairi Ito (Love and Other Cults) as Kanou, one of a number of young women working in a Tokyo escort service operating from a rundown office where the women all wait for calls and becomes a witness to others between their visits to local love hotels.

Flight on the Water   

水上のフライト 「Suijo no Furaito」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 106 mins.

Director: Atsushi Kaneshige

Writer: Akihiro Dobashi, Atsushi Kaneshige (Script), 

Starring: Ayami Nakajo, Yosuke Sugino, Nene Otsuka, Sara Takatsuki, Ami Tomite, Yukiyoshi Ozawa,

Website

Akihiro Dobashi wrote the script as an original story inspired by the interaction with the real Japanese paracanoe player, Monica Seta.

Synopsis: Haruka (Ayami Nakajo) is a promising athlete aiming to be the best at the high jump but her career is cut short by an accident which leaves her paralysed from the waist down. Haruka loses hope and sinks into misery but regains hope when she meets people who  view disabilities as individuality traits and she hears about paracanoe which motivates her to train in the sport.

Looking for Magical DoReMi       

魔女見習いをさがして 「Majo Minarai o Sagashite」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 90 mins.

Director: Junichi Sato, Yu Kamatani

Writer: Midori Kuriyama (Script), 

Starring: Chiemi Chiba (Doremi Harukaze), Rena Matsui (Mire Yoshizuki), Aoi Morikawa (Sora Nagase), Kanako Momota (Reika Kawatani), Tomoko Akiya (Hazuki Fujiwara),

Animation Production: Toei Animation

Website ANN MAL

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the popular magical girl anime Magical Witch Doremi, a series that was broadcast for four years from 1999, a movie version has been created that depicts a magical story for adults with three new heroines in the lead. The voices of the three heroines are Aoi Morikawa, Rena Matsui, and Kanako Momota.

Synopsis: 27-year-old Tokyo office worker Mire Yoshizuki has just returned to Japan, while 22-year-old fourth-year college student Sora Nagase aspires to be a teacher, and 20-year-old boyish Reika Kawatani is a part-time Hiroshima okonomiyaki shop worker and freelancer. What draws together these three women from completely different walks of life is a magic gem related to “Doremi” that allows them to embark on a journey and remember things they once thought important but forgot as adults.

Japan Sinks: 2020 “The Beginning of the End”  

日本沈没 2020 劇場編集版　シズマヌキボウ「Nihon Chinbotsu 2020 Gekijō henshu-ban shizumanukibou 」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 151 mins.

Director: Masaaki Yuasa

Writer: Toshio Yoshitaka (Script), Sakyo Komatsu (Original Creator)

Starring: Masaki Terasoma (Koichiro Muto), Tomo Muranaka (Go Muto), Yuko Sasaki (Mari Muto), Reina Ueda (Ayumu Muto),

Animation Production: Science SARU

Website ANN MAL

This is the theatrical cut of an anime that was released on Netflix in July of this year. The re-edit was handled by Masaaki (Ping Pong: The Animation and was a unit director on The Night is Short Walk On Girl) Yuasa who is given the director’s credit.

This anime is an adaptation of Sakyo Komatsu’s science-fiction novel of the same name. It has previously been adapted into a live-action film twice, one version directed by Shinji Higuchi in 2006, the other directed by Shiro Moritani in 1973. This newest version is a 10 episode anime that has been produced by animation outfit Science SARU for Netflix and is another collaboration for the two following Devilman Crybaby. Toshio Yoshitaka (Dragon Ball Super) is credited with penning the script adapted the book. Music comes from Kensuke Ushio (Ping Pong the Animation, A Silent Voice, Devilman Crybaby).

Synopsis: Sometime in the modern era, a series of natural disasters hit Japan, from volcanic eruptions to earthquakes and they begin to cause massive tectonic shifts that threaten the Japanese archipelago. It’s looking like the country will sink into the sea as the country shifts towards a trench. Amidst all of this mounting disaster, the Muto family attempt to escape Tokyo.

Date A Bullet Nightmare or Queen       

デート・ア・バレット　ナイトメア・オア・クイーン 「De-to a baretto Naitomea oa kui-n」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 29 mins.

Director: Jun Nakagawa

Writer: Yuichiro Higashide (Screenplay), Koushi Tachibana (Original Creator)

Starring: Asami Sanada (Kurumi Tokisaki), Kaede Hondo (Hibiki Higoromo), Rina Hidaka (Panie Ibusaki), Natsumi Fujiwara (Isami Hijikata), Mariya Ise (Tsuan), Saori Oonishi (White Queen), Asami Seto (Yui Sagakura),

Animation Production: GEEK TOYS

Website ANN MAL

The second part of the pre- and post-animation of the spin-off novel “Date A Bullet”, a spin-off from the light novel “Date A Live” by Koushi Tachibana.

Synopsis: An amnesiac young girl named Empty has found herself in another world where girls known as semi-Spirits have gathered to battle.

Fafner THE BEYOND Episodes 7, 8, 9   

蒼穹のファフナー THE BEYOND 第七話・第八話・第九話 「Soukyuu no Fafner THE BEYOND Dai nana-wa dai hachi-wa dai kyū-wa」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Running Time: 81 mins.

Director: Takashi Noto

Writer: Tow Ubukata, Hisashi Hirai (Screenplay),

Starring: Kohei Kiyasu, Makoto Ishii, Marika Matsumoto, Miyu Irino, Takahiro Sakurai, Nobuhiko Okamoto,

Animation Production: XEBECzwei

Website   ANN   MAL

Synopsis: “Fafner” are humanoid mobile weapons piloted by teens who battle creatures called “Festum”. It’s a long-running franchise and this latest season has batches of three episodes hived off and put in cinemas. Since there are 12 episodes in the series, there will be one more screened. 

Ling Tosite Shigure 15th anniversary #4 for Extreaming Live Edition

凛として時雨 15th anniversary #4 for Extreaming Live Edition 「Rin Toshite Shigure 15th anniversary #4 for Extreaming Live Edition」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 80 mins.

Director: Kentaro Saisho

Writer: N/A

Starring: TK, 345, “Pierre” Nakano,

Website

Synopsis: The band Ling Tosite Shigure (Wikipedia link) are celebrating 15 years since the release of their debut album and that celebration includes the release of the remastered album “# 4 -Retornado-” on November 11, 2020. A film showing a live performance centred on early songs such as the ones recorded for their debut album “# 4”, rehearsal videos and unreleased songs are part of the film.

Vanitas   

ヴァニタス 「Banitasu」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 104 mins.

Director: Takuya Uchiyama

Writer: Takuya Uchiyama, Tatsuhiro Murayama (Script), Tatsuhiro Murayama (Original Story)

Starring: Gaku Hosokawa, Gen Ogawa, YASU, Yudai Nogawa, Kiyohiko Shibukawa,

Takuya Uchiyama had a film at the Tokyo International Film Festival and one released last week. I believe this is his debut, a film that was at the Pia Film Festival 2016 where it won the Cinema Fan Award (Pia Eiga Seikatsu prize).

Here’s a review of the film.

Synopsis: Shibihara, Ito, Tachibana, and Nagai are in their third year of university and like to slack off and hang out at a basketball court rather than go to class. They are friends but in the loosest sense of the word and don’t know much about each other but it will soon change as the troubles of one of them emerge.

Onkio Haus Melody – Go – Round   

音響ハウス Melody-Go-Round 「Onkio Hausu Melody – Go – Round」

Release Date: November 14th, 2020

Duration: 99 mins.

Director: Hiromi Aihara

Writer: N/A

Starring: Yoshiyuki Sahashi, Yoshifumi Iiyo, Yukihiro Takahashi, Akira Inoue, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Akiko Yano, David Lee Roth,

Website

Synopsis: A documentary about the recording studio Onkio House in Ginza, Tokyo, which was where a lot of city pop albums were recorded in the 1970s and 1980s. Established in December 1974, the studio has been loved by domestic and foreign artists by constantly providing an environment where an original sound can be recorded faithfully, and many masterpieces have been produced. Various artists, including Ryuichi Sakamoto who has been using the studio since the Yellow Magic Orchestra era, give backround to their work at the place while the documentary also looks at the producers and engineers who were working there at the time of city pop. There is also footage of the recording of a collaboration song “Melody-Go-Round” involving various artists.

Happy weekend, part two!

I hope you are all still feeling good.

In the time between this post and the last, I have watched Memories of Murder as prep for another instalment of the Heroic Purgatory podcast.

What else is released this weekend?

The Man Who Was There   

そこにいた男 「Soko ni Ita Otoko」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 33 mins.

Director: Shinzo Katayama

Writer: Yukiko Sode (Script), 

Starring: Yaeko Kiyose, Hidekazu Yasui, Eriko Nakamura, Sawaka Minaguchi, Yuuya Matsuura,

A short film directed by Shinzo Katayama, whose debut feature film Siblings of the Cape attracted and was screened in different countries. He also has a credit as an AD on Bong Joon-Ho’s mystery-thriller film Mother and Nobuhiro Yamatshita’s The Drudgery Train. The script is by Yukiko Sode who is responsible for Good Stripes and Aristocrats.

Synopsis: A woman named Saki is discovered covered in blood and sat next to the body of an actor in the elevator hall of a condominium. She smokes a cigarette and seems stunned. The film takes audiences back two years in the past, a time when Saki, a staff member on a film, met the actor, Sho, on set and fell in love. He used her badly and had another woman on the side and so Saki reveals how strong her love is and the event occurs that night we first meet her. 

Tane wa Dare no Mono   

タネは誰のもの「Tane wa Dare no Mono」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 65 mins.

Director: Masaki Haramura

Writer: N/A

Starring: N/A

Website

Synopsis: A documentary that explores the amendment to the Seed and Seedling Law which is being deliberated in the Diet. The pros and cons are weighed up in numerous interviews with farmers, scientists and others involved in various agricultural sites from Hokkaido to Okinawa. The producer is Masahiko Yamada, a lawyer and former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The director is Masaki Haramura, who handles many agricultural-themed documentaries.

Tabun   

たぶん「Tabun」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 50 mins.

Director: Yuki Saito

Writer: Sinano (Script), YOASOBI (Original Story)

Starring: Rui Kihara, Rina Ono, Uta Yorikawa, Mizuki Shida, Haruka Kurosawa, Megane, Yoshijiro Itokawa,

Website

YOASOBI is a “unit that makes novels into music” which is composed of composer Ayase and vocalist ikura. This is an original story based on a novel of the same name by Shinano, which was the original story of their song “Maybe”.

Synopsis: Kanon and Sasano broke up after they began to feel a gap in their relationship which they thought would be rock solid. Sasano is more optimistic but Kanon begins to close up…

The Werewolf Game: Death Game’s Operator   

人狼ゲーム デスゲームの運営人「Jinro Gemu: Death Game no Uneinin」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 103 mins.

Director: Ryo Kawakami

Writer: Ryo Kawakami (Novel/Script), YOASOBI (Original Story)

Starring: Yuuki Ogoe, Momoka, Akane Sakanoue, Ken Nakajima, Nozomi Hanayagi, Uchikuri Uchikura, Fuyuna Asakura, Reira Hoshi,

Website

Ryo Kawakami, the original author of the series, directs this entry in the franchise. 

Synopsis: Another round of the Werewolf Game is about to tale place and while wealthy people wager on the winners and losers of the game, Masamune (Yuuki Ogoe), an operator of the game, tries to rescue a contender, a female high school student named Yuzuki Natsume who has been brought in to play.

Hotel Royal   

ホテルローヤル 「Hoteru Ro-yaru」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 104 mins.

Director: Masaharu Take

Writer: Yukako Shimizu (Script), Shino Sakuragi (Original Novel)

Starring: Haru, Kenichi Matsuyama, Ken Yasuda, Kimiko Yo, Fukiko Hara, Yui Natsukawa, Sairi Itoh, Amane Okayama, Chika Uchida, Ami Tomite,

Website

Shino Sakuragi’s autobiographical novel gets adapted into a film by director Masaharu Take (100 Yen Love, The Gun). A great set of actors like Yui Natsukawa (Still Walking), Ken Yasuda (The Actor), Sairi Itoh (Love and Other Cults) and Amane Okayama (Poetry Angel).

Synopsis: Hotel Royal is a small family-run love hotel located in Kushiro Marsh, Hokkaido, Japan. Masayo Tanaka (Haru) is the only child of the family and has failed to enter an art school so she has now returned home and works at the hotel. She does not show her emotions to anyone but carries a faint love for Miyagawa, a salesperson of an adult goods company. The film follows her and a collection of guests as Masayo’s family deals with various incidents just as her father falls ill. 

The Legacy of Dr. Death: Black File 

ドクター・デスの遺産 BLACK FILE 「Doctor Death no Isan: Black File」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 120 mins.

Director: Yoshihiro Fukagawa

Writer: Izumi Kawasaki (Script), Shinchiri Nakayama (Original Novel)

Starring: Gou Ayano, Keiko Kitagawa, Kenshi Okada, Tomoya Maeno, Misato Aoyama, Ken Ishiguro,

Website

Synopsis: Detective Hayato Inukai (Gou Ayano) and Detective Asuka Takachiho (Keiko Kitagawa) investigate a series of suspicious deaths of terminally ill people. Their search for answers turns up a person known as “Dr. Death” who performs euthanasia by request. Meanwhile, Detective Hayato Inukai’s daughter Sayaka asks Dr. Death to be her a visit due to her severe kidney disease.

Sakura   

さくら 「Sakura」

Release Date: November 13th, 2020

Duration: 119 mins.

Director: Hitoshi Yazaki

Writer: Masa Asanishi (Script), Kanako Nishi (Original Novel)

Starring: Takumi Kitamura, Nana Komatsu, Ryo Yoshizawa, Shinobu Terajima, Masatoshi Nagase, Kaho Mizutani, Yui Kobayashi, Kasumi Yamaya, Masaya Kato,

Website IMDB

Hitoshi Yazaki (Afternoon Breezes) has a great cast of actors such as Nana Komatsu (The World of Kanako) and Shinobu Terajima (Vibrator) in this family drama.

Synopsis: The Hasegawa family consists of parents and their 3 children, eldest son Hajime (Ryo Yoshizawa), middle child Kaoru (Takumi Kitamura), a university student, and the daughter Miki (Nana Komatsu), a high schooler and their dog Sakura. Hajime is handsome and everyone adores him but when he dies in a car accident his family fall apart. Then, a miracle-like event occurs that connects the broken family again.

The Believers   

the believers ビリーバーズ 「the believers biri-ba-zu」

Release Date: November 14th, 2020

Duration: 110 mins.

Director: Wataru Hiranami

Writer: Wataru Hiranami (Script), 

Starring: Ayaka Horii, Kiyoshiro Ishida, Ayako Ishikawa, Haruna Matsukawa, Miyu, Kazuya Okada, Midori Suiren, Soichiro Tanaka, Reika Akuzawa, Aya Fumino, Ryoka Neya, Ryutaro Ninomiya, Nozomi Suda, Satsuki Maue,

Website

Synopsis: A series of stories about different people living in Tokyo. A woman living with a lover who is a musician, women who love each other, a man who looks for a the person he believes is his fated lover and a woman who lives freely every day and wander the city. Each of these are told differently, some realistically, some humorously, and some lyrically.

The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time   

オルジャスの白い馬「Oruhasu no Shiroi Uma」

Release Date: January 18th, 2020

Duration: 81 mins.

Director: Yerlan Nurmukhambetov, Lisa Takeba

Writer: Yerlan Nurmukhambetov (Screenplay),

Starring: Dulyga Akmolda, Madi Minaidarov, Mirai Moriyama, Samal Yeslyamova,

Website IMDB

The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time is a wholly original film that runs for a tight 81 minutes and utilises the mechanics of various genres to explore the impact of a murder on a family in a remote region of the world. The film, which opened the 2019 edition of the Busan International Film Festival, is an international co-production between Kazakhstan and Japan. It’s the collective vision of two directors: Yerlan Nurmukhambetov, who won the New Currents Award at the Busan International Film Festival 2015 for The Walnut Tree, and Lisa Takeba who is known for her quirky sci-fi tinged romcoms, The Pinkie (2014) and Haruko’s Paranormal Laboratory (2015). What is delivered is a picture that definitely deserves to be seen on the widest screen possible as it zeroes in on the tiny dramas of a group of characters clinging to life in an uncaring environment.

Apparently based on a real-life murder, the action takes place on the lonely steppes of Kazakhstan. Audiences are presented with gloriously beautiful widescreen vistas of grasslands dotted with the occasional village and lake, isolated roads cutting across vast tracts of territory and nomadic sheep herders. These sights are framed by sprawling mountain ranges and a vast sky and everything is presented as a grand vision of life on the frontier in a way reminiscent of the Westerns of John Ford. 

In one particular remote ranch lives a precocious preadolescent boy named Olzhas (Madi Minaidarov), his father Odasyn (Dulyga Akmolda), mother Aigul (Samal Yeslyamova) and two younger sisters. While Ozhas would rather play with his friends than help out his parents, he is unknowingly taking his first steps towards manhood as he experiences a burgeoning awareness of sexual desire and is learning more about his responsibilities to his community and adapting to the harsh reality of life on the steppes. 

The family’s main source of income is horses which Odasyn takes to market while everyone else picks tomatoes from small fields with other villagers. As the story sleepily slips between the perspectives of father, mother, and son, the scenes of everyone at work have the feel of an ethnographic study of everyday life on the Kazakh plains. A shift to the more narratively dramatic comes when Odasyn is murdered by horse thieves. Death is quiet and unceremonious in this vast landscape and so a sad sense of desolation follows rather than any tension. This sense provides the atmosphere from which a taut family conflict slowly emerges as Aigul and her children endure an uneasy funeral defined by broiling resentments that reveal to the young Ozhas that his life and the life of his mother is more complicated than he had previously imagined.

These secrets are teased out when Aigul makes plans to leave the village and recruits the help of a mysterious stranger named Kairat (Mirai Moriyama) who escorts them on horseback. With his appearance comes clues to Aigul and Ozhas’ background. The film mostly adopts the perspective of the boy as he observes the adults and begins to show his adaptation to the world by riding a white horse alongside Kairat. There is the sense the stranger could become a father to the boy but as the film ambles along on a road-movie-cum-family-drama, an interesting complication emerges as Olzhas shows that he is already a child of the plains and we see that his mother is playing a more active role in her family’s life following the death of her husband.

Quiet dramas continue to play out between the characters who engage in terse and uneasy conversations where they wrestle with repressed feelings of remorse, resentment and curiosity. The performances are mostly in body language and on the faces of the actors who are compelling enough to lend a relatively simple story some depth and intrigue. Yeslyamova, Cannes 2018 Best Actress winner for her role in Ayka, imbues her character with a toughness and maternal care that ensures her character is believable as a woman who takes charge. In his first overseas role, Moriyama (The Drudgery Train) spent three months learning the Kazakh language and horseback riding and on screen he confidently takes on the role of Kairat and acquits himself well among a predominantly Kazakh cast and captures the mysterious and laconic air that some of the best heroic gunslingers have.

Like many Westerns, it comes down to a shoot-out as the horse thieves re-emerge but the film remains committed to its more contemplative and subdued dynamics and allows things to remain ambiguous at the end as the story focuses on the sense of the boy having demonstrated a capacity to grow and learning more about the world and the adults who inhabit it. While slight, the beautiful and stirring images, potent atmospherics and strong performances make the film feel like an epic coming-of-age story. 

The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time is streaming as part of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival from November 12-19.

My review was first published on V-Cinema on November 07th.

Wandering Alien Detective Robin

さすらいのエイリアン 私立探偵ロビン「Sasurai no eirian shiritsu tantei Robin」

Release Date: June 16th, 2012

Duration: 20 mins.

Director: Lisa Takeba

Writer: Lisa Takeba (Script), 

Starring: Masanori Mimoto, Takuro Kodama, Lisa Geran, Kinuo Yamada, Arata Yamanaka, Takashi Nishina, Yaeko Kiyose, Yuya Ishikawa, Marc Walkow,

JFDB IMDB

Lisa Takeba is a multi-hyphenate talent who gleefully blends genres, utilises melodrama and has the sort of imaginative hands-on DIY special effects that can charm an audience enough to paper over how slight or loopy her stories are. This can best be appreciated in her feature films The Pinkie (2014) and Haruko’s Paranormal Laboratory (2015), both of which are zany romances with a science fiction spin. Her earliest available work, the short film Wandering Alien Detective Robin (2012), is a good indicator of what she is capable of.

Wandering Alien Detective Robin had its genesis in Takeba’s fondness for the song “Englishman in New York,” by Sting. As Takeba explains in a director’s statement the song’s sense of “loneliness and romanticism of being an immigrant” makes her “heart become hard-boiled”. In order to realise these emotions and make real the sensation of a hard-boiled heart, Takeba utilises various traits from different genres and she takes the song’s chorus literally to gives us a “legal alien” for the lead character.

The story focusses on Robin, an extra-terrestrial who works as a private detective in a city that sort of approximates a cross between New York and Urawa. One day he receives a request to track down a murderer from the police. As he investigates he realises that the criminal is an alien who comes from the same planet as him and faces similar issues integrating with earthlings. While it turns out that this is hardly a complicated mystery, it allows the filmmakers to indulge their imaginations in bringing Sting’s most famous song to life.  

Making two of the main characters actual aliens is a very blunt but effective way for Takeba to create a story about lonely immigrants and she isn’t subtle about their appearance as she has her lead actors don large rubbery sci-fi masks to make themselves visibly different. This difference gives the human characters a reason to exhibit their prejudices against aliens which emerge during Robin’s manhunt as he faces discrimination from witnesses and cops and also discovers that the criminal faced similar negative experiences which led to his crime, a poignant tragedy that Robin can understand. In effect, all of this “othering” effectively helps underscore a shared sense of loneliness between the detective and the criminal and leads to a twist in the story of the two characters which involves both spaceships and making peace with femme fatales. 

The film’s cinematography and production design are pure film noir as Robin dons his fedora, three-piece suit and trilby and downs Jim Beam by the tumbler-full in between narrating his tale like a true hard-boiled detective. The monochrome look and melancholy jazz score underline the noir atmosphere although Takeba shows she has her tongue firmly planted in cheek by having characters carry rotary phones and use them like mobiles and while Robin is aiming for the look of Dick Powell in Murder, My Sweet (1944), Takeba chooses to have him be an alien to emphasise his immigrant/outsider status.

Overall, the short film is a good demonstration of Lisa Takeba’s strengths and weaknesses. While the story doesn’t have so much to it with regards to the mystery, it is still an enjoyable mish-mash of atmospherics and genres as she creates a unique take on Sting’s song. 

Hello everyone!

I hope you are all well.

This is part one of my weekend trailer post.

This week, I’ve posted reviews for the Lisa Takeba films Wandering Alien Detective Robin and The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time. I’ve split this trailer post into two, the first today and the second tomorrow to allow space for all of the films released. These are just Japanese ones but the Chinese film The Crossing gets a Japanese release.

What have I watched this week? The Departed, Umberto D, V/H/S 2, The House of Exorcism, Door III, The Revenge I: A Visit from Fate, To the Ends of the Earth.

What is released this weekend? A lot of films I have already written about for festivals this year!

Tezuka’s Barbara   

ばるぼら 「Barubora」

Release Date: November 20th, 2020

Duration: 100 mins.

Director: Macoto Tezuka

Writer: Hisako Kurosawa (Screenplay), Osamu Tezuka (Manga)

Starring: Goro Inagaki, Fumi Nikaido, Kiyohiko Shibukawa, Shizuka Ishibashi, Minami, Eri Watanabe, Moemi Katayama,

Website IMDB

Macoto Tezka, son of famous manga-ka Osamu Tezuka, turns his father’s novel into a film with Goro Inagaki and top actress Fumi Nikaido taking the lead in the “writer and his muse” story that mixes pink film thrills with weird tales. The cinematography is done by Christopher Doyle and it looks extremely erotic and a little magical. This one is backed by Third Window Films and it has been on the international festival circuit for a while, starting at Tokyo last year and appearing more recently at Fantasia. This was made for the 90th Anniversary of Osamu Tezuka’s birth.

Synopsis: Osamu Tezuka re-imagines The Tales of Hoffmann which creates a series of meetings wrapped up in lust, forbidden love, the occult, art and all-round weirdness for a famous writer named Yosuke Mikura and a mysterious girl named “Barbara” who he meets in an overpass tunnel. When he takes her home, his life takes a bizarre turn.

Food Luck   

フード・ラック!食運「Fu-do Rakku! Shaun」

Release Date: November 20th, 2020

Duration: 104 mins.

Director: Jimon Terakado

Writer: Jimon Terakado (Script), 

Starring: Naoto, Tao Tsuchiya, Ken Ishiguro, Satoru Matsuo, Yasufumi Terawaki, Chizuru Azuma, Miwako Kakei, Yo Oizumi,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Following the death of his father, Yoshito (Naoto) and his mother Yasue (Ryo) continued to live in the yakiniku restaurant he ran. His mother worked hard to make it a success and Yoshito enjoyed his mother’s cooking and their restaurant was loved by many people. Unfortunately, when a popular food critic named Tatsuya Furuyama (Satoru Matsuo), ruins the reputation of the restaurant, Yasue had to work harder than ever to recover business and Yoshito began to act out to get her attention. 18 years later, Yoshito lives alone and has lost contact with his mother. As a freelance writer he takes work from a new online foodie website about yakiniku. Around that time, Yoshito hears that his estranged mother Yasue has collapsed.

Runway   

滑走路 「Kassoro」

Release Date: November 20th, 2020

Duration: 135 mins.

Director: Norichika Oba

Writer: Sayaka Kuwamura (Script), Shinichiro Hagihara (Original Poetry)

Starring: Asami Mizukawa, Kodai Asaka, Uta Yorikawa, Kei Kinoshita, Yuto Ikeda, Kenji Mizuhashi, Maki Sakai, Shota Sometani,

Website

A human drama that depicts the anguish and hope of people struggling to live in the present age, based on the poetry collection that was the debut work of Shinichiro Hagihara, a poet who died at the age of 32.

Synopsis: Takano (Kodai Asaka) is a 25-year-old bureaucrat at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. He is under severe stress at work and loses his vigour. One day, an NPO he works with gives him a list of people who committed suicide due to temporary employment. On that list, he becomes interested in a 25-year-old man and begins to investigate the background of the death. Meanwhile, Midori (Asami Mizukawa) is a woman in her late 30’s and is a cutout picture artist. She has anxiety about her future since she is uncomfortable with her husband and yet the idea of having children is still floating around. And just to add more misery to this story, a high schooler becomes the target of bullying but keeps his problems to himself so as not to worry his mother. The lives of these three people, each with their own worries, will eventually lead to a single path.

Me & My Brother’s Mistress  

おろかもの 「Orokamono」

Release Date: November 20th, 2020

Duration: 96 mins.

Director: Takashi Haga, Sho Suzuki

Writer: Masataka Numata (Script), 

Starring: Nanami Kasamatsu, Yui Murata, Satoshi Iwago, Hachi Nekome,

Website IMDB

This one is cute. The chief delight is exploring how the mistress is more complex than first perceived and the relationship she develops with the main character.

Synopsis: High schooler Yoko has been looked after by her older brother Kenji since their parents died. He is about to get married so Yoko is trying to deal with a new normal but when she spies her brother dating another woman, she begins to investigate. A confrontation turns to understanding as Yoko finds this other woman more relatable and figures she is a better match for Kenji. But, guilt remains over the love triangle…

Any Crybabies Around?   

泣く子はいねぇが 「Nakuko wa ineega」

Release Date: November 20th, 2020

Duration: 95 mins.

Director: Takuma Sato

Writer: Takuma Sato (Script), 

Starring: Taiga Nakano, Riho Yoshioka, Kanichiro, Takashi Yamanaka, Yoki Miko, Toshiro Yanagiba, Kimiko Yo

Website IMDB

Takuma Sato has four films to his name so far, all original stories, with two released last year (link to a trailer post), and he has worked with Taiga Nakano (Au revoir l’ete, Harmonium, Japanese Girls Never Die). For this film, he draws upon the Namahage festival that takes place in Akita Prefecture and uses this ancient tradition to tell a story depicting young adults in contemporary society.

Synopsis: Tasuku (Taiga Nakano) isn’t the best husband around, as proven by the fact that it is New Year’s Eve and he is out drinking with his friends while his wife Kotone is pregnant and about to give birth. Deciding to turn over a new leaf, he declares he will go home. But not before a last sip of sake. This sends him over the edge and he tears off his clothes and tears out into the street. This being Oga, it is the time of Namahage – an ancient tradition where men wear costumes and go door-to-door to scare kids. A naked Tasuku crashes this event and it is caught on television. This shameful moment causes a national uproar that causes Kotone to divorce him and Tasuku to flee to Tokyo.

Two years later, Tasuku returns after he discovers that Kotone is now working in a red-light district and raising their daughter alone but the situation is more difficult than he anticipates…

Stand By Me Doraemon 2   

STAND BY ME ドラえもん 2 「Stand By Me Doraemon 2」

Release Date: November 20th, 2020

Duration: 127 mins.

Director: Ryuichi Yagi, Takashi Yamazaki

Writer: Takashi Yamazaki (Script), Fujiko F. Fujio (Original Creator)

Starring: Mizuta Wasabi (Doraemon), Megumi Oohara (Nobita Nobi), Yumi Kakazu (Shizuka Minamoto), Subaru Kimura (Takeshi Gouda), Tomokazu Seki (Suneo Honekawa), Satoshi Tsumabuki (Adult Nobita)

Animation Production: Robot, Shin-Eei Animation, Shirogumi Inc.

Website ANN MAL

According to an Anime News Network report:

The film’s story will largely be based on the franchise’s 2000 film Doraemon: Obāchan no Omoide (Doraemon: A Grandmother’s Recollections), but will add original elements, including the love story of Shizuka and Nobita that was also present in the previous Stand By Me Doraemon film. The 2000 film, in turn, was based on a chapter from the fourth manga volume.

Synopsis: Nobita finds his old teddy bear among the trash after his mother partially cleaned up their shed and tells her not to throw it away. The stuffed animal is a precious gift from his beloved grandmother. Reminiscing about her makes Nobita ask Doraemon to take him back to when he was still three years old and his grandma was still alive.

Happy weekend!

I hope you are all well!

This is the second part of my weekly trailer post. Part one can be found here.

What else is released this weekend?

Graffiti Graffiti   

グラフィティ・グラフィティ 「Gurafiti Gurafiti」

Release Date: November 20th, 2020

Duration: 30 mins.

Director: Go Matsuo

Writer: Go Matsuo, Kana Miyamoto, Taichi Yoshizawa (Script), 

Starring: Rikako Watanabe, Masamichi Hagiwara, Takeshi Sumi, Mai Murakami, Haruki Murakami,

Website

Synopsis: One night, high school girl Yuzu is goaded by some bad friends into doing some graffiti on the shutters of a store in a shopping street. The next morning, the owner of the store finds the graffiti and is furious and paints over Yuzu’s work with the word “Hetakuso!” This is a declaration of war as far as Yuzu is concerned and a grafitti fight ensues. While this happens, Yuzu gradually awakens to the fun and artistry of graffiti itself.

Tsuyogari Caponata / Macho Caponata   

強がりカポナータ 「Tsuyogari Kapona-ta」

Release Date: November 20th, 2020

Duration: 60 mins.

Director: Shoichi Yokoyama

Writer: Yuta Okuyama (Script), 

Starring: Tadazo Igami, Shinya Orikasa, Takenori Goto, Yui Akino, Yoshiki Kondo, Atsuko Kubo,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Takeshi runs a popular Italian restaurant in a port town. His ex-lover Kazuyoshi went to Italy to train as a chef seven years ago so he is single. His sister is pregnant with the baby of Kazuyoshi’s younger brother and a wedding between the pair will happen before the birth. Due to this, Kazuyoshi returns from Italy and invites Takeshi to go to Italy with him…

Wonderful Paradise   

脳天パラダイス 「Noten Paradaisu」

Release Date: November 20th, 2020

Duration: 97 mins.

Director: Masashi Yamamoto

Writer: Suzuyuki Kaneko, Masashi Yamamoto (Script), 

Starring: Kaho Minami, Seiko Ito, Soran Tamoto, Mayu Ozawa, Kentaro Okochi, Akira Emoto, Jun Murakami, Hyunri, Arata Furuta,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Due to his bankruptcy, Shuji Sasaya (Seiko Ito) and his family are facing having to give up their large mansion on the outskirts of Tokyo. This throws the family into a spin. His daughter, Akane (Mayu Ozawa), writes on Twitter, “Let’s have a party today at my place. Anyone can come!!” In the blink of an eye, a mob of people descend on the place including Shuji’s ex-wife Akiko (Kaho Minami), a gay couple looking for a wedding venue, elementary school students who want to rent a shower, two men cultivating suspicious plants on the premises of the Sasayas, and others who want to have a wedding, a funeral and even a festival at the mansion. Obviously, chaos ensues…

Yaunpe wo Sagase!   

ヤウンペを探せ！ 「Yaunpe wo Sagase!」

Release Date: November 20th, 2020

Duration: 86 mins.

Director: Ryo Miyawaki

Writer: Akihiko Takaishi, Mirai Shibuya (Script),

Starring: Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Daisuke Miyagawa, Tetsuhiro Ikeda, Misako Renbutsu, Eiji Akaso, Louis Kurihara, Yuki Sakurai,

Website

A slapstick comedy depicting dull middle-aged men who have known each other since cram school and gather together for the first time in 20 years. They are secretly rivals and struggling to outsmart each other in order to fulfil the wishes.

Synopsis: Kinya, a struggling actor, Junpei, a struggling Chinese restaurant manager, Taro, a ronin struggling to pass a teacher’s exam, and Akki, a love hotel owner, are 40-something guys who went to the same cram school when they were in college. They reunite with Misato, the girl they have long admired and the one who played the heroine in a movie they made 20 years ago, at a yakiniku restaurant. She says to the four, and said, “I need Yaumpe now, I want Yaunpe the most.” The four are confused but they may be able to marry her if her wishes are fulfilled, and so they go out to look for something called “Yaunpe”…

Listening to the Air   

空に聞く 「Sora ni kiku」

Release Date: November 21st, 2020

Duration: 73 mins.

Director: Haruka Komori

Writer: N/A

Starring: Hiromi Abe

Website IMDB

This was at Nippon Connection earlier this year. Haruka Komori shot this film at the same time as Trace of Breath (winner of the NIPPON VISIONS JURY AWARD 2018) and in this film she followed her protagonist from 2013 to 2018.

Synopsis: A documentary about Hiromi Abe, a woman who hosts a radio show in an area devastated by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Her show is “Rikuzentakata Disaster FM” and was established in December 2011. She reports on local events and interviews the residents. Through following her, director Haruka Komori tracks the rebuilding and also the recording the personal stories of people in the area. Director Haruka Komori moved to Tohoku as a result of volunteering after the earthquake.

Nakamuraya Saketen no Kyoudai   

中村屋酒店の兄弟　 「Nakamuraya Saketen no Kyoudai」

Release Date: November 21st, 2020

Duration: 45 mins.

Director: Daichi Shiraisho

Writer: Daichi Shiraisho,

Starring: Kisetsu Fujiwara, Takuma Nagao, Nagako Fujishiro, Mio Tachibana,

Website

Hakuto Daiichi was born in Tokyo in 1996 and has worked as an actor since the age of 17. This is his directorial debut and is based on a screenplay he wrote while acting on other projects. I wrote about it for last year’s Kanzawa Film Festival.

Synopsis: A man named Kazuma returns from Tokyo to his family’s sake shop which his brother Hirofumi has inherited. As he and his brother spend time together, the warmth of nostalgia is accompanied by the sense something is different and they puzzle over the ever-changing present.

The Mistress (aka Wild Geese)     

雁 「Gan」

Running Time: 104 mins.

Release Date: September 15th, 1953

Director: Shiro Toyoda

Writer: Masashige Narusawa (Screenplay), Ogai Mori (Original Novel)

Starring: Hideko Takamine, Hiroshi Akutagawa, Choko Lida, Eijiro Tono, Jukichi Uno,

IMDB

Wild Geese a.k.a The Mistress is based on a novel by Ogai Mori (real name, Mori Rintaro, 1882–1916), an interesting figure in himself. Originally born to a family of doctors, he was expected to follow that path but, instead, found fame as a translator, novelist, and poet. He lived through the transition from the Meiji era to the Taisho period and, from what I have read on Wikipedia, his works are humanist dramas as is evident in this particular film that tells a quiet tragedy about a poor woman who dares to dream of escaping the confines of her lowly position through marriage but finds herself trapped by gender and class as is revealed when she falls in love.

Taking place some time at the end of the Meiji era and the beginning of the Taisho period, Japan is awakening to the modern world as Western ideas and fashion are embraced. However, many people still experience grinding poverty such as the film’s heroine Otama (Hideko Takamine). A beautiful woman with a mournful face, she is barely listening to a marriage broker who is selling a prospective relationship as the mistress of a “recently widowed” kimono merchant with children. The terms: at first, she gets her own house and after the mourning period, the marriage is on and she moves in with the groom.

Otama is cautious for she was tricked into marrying someone whose wife was still alive but, as a divorcee with an elderly father who is on his last legs, her options are limited. As the old woman states, being once-married, she has become damaged goods and… “Once she becomes damaged goods, a woman cannot escape unhappiness.” These words turn out to be prophetic but for now, Otama meets the merchant named Suezo (Eijiro Tono) and accepts his proposal.

With a simple screen wipe we are taken from dark, crowded and squalid streets lined by rickety row-houses, where women in dishevelled clothes dodge potholes and puddles to hang out washing, to a broader hilly street with cherry blossoms and beautiful residences with stone foundations under a broad sky. The film’s tones, location and lighting reflect her rise in status. Otama’s pristine house, which is on the sloping street of Muen-zaka, not too far away from the University of Tokyo, shows it. She, like her neighbours has fancy kimono and delicate items that adorn the walls of her comfortable home. She even has a maid to keep everything in order. Becoming a kept woman doesn’t seem so bad after all but bliss soon turns into a nightmare because, what Otama slowly realises is that the marriage broker has tricked her. Not only is Suezo still married, and his wife has no intention of giving her husband up, but he is a despised loan shark, as shown by the hateful glances and comments that he gets from people he passes by and people who distance themselves from Otama herself once they find out who she is the mistress of.

At this stage, it might seem like the film will pile in on making Otama a victim but it complicates her. She is clearly fully aware of what she is getting into and resigns herself for compromise as detailed in the middle portion of the film where we see her accepting the scorn of neighbours for being a mistress and, without even a blush, playing out her role as a sexual object for the older man. Shiro Toyoda makes no bones about showing the two preparing their love nest for the night and even a little bit of fondling. We can understand her decision having seen the poverty described in the film’s early scenes and listening to her father’s entreaties to just accept it. There are also countless examples of women who have had to compromise and become street walkers around her, many being Suezo’s clients. We now understand how her gender has limited her future and also, once again, how wretched poverty makes people. Despite all of this, the pressure and shame Otama feels bubbles up, as does the sense that she is trapped.

Some basic symbolism like Otama constantly being seen through the latticework of shoji screens, a parakeet (inko) she keeps caged, and kids outside singing songs about caged birds and turtles with some interesting imagery make everything clear. Just as compellingly, we see how, as she is propelled away from poverty by Suezo, she becomes more aware of how people around her who are trapped in it thanks to his ruthless business practices and the resentment he is held in by the community.

There are various characters that pop in and out of the narrative, their money problems providing fuel for drama and, as they pawn items like bolts of cloth to stave off starvation, these items serve as ways to identify the connection between Suezo and Otsune after she takes ownership of them. The misery his profession as a money-lender creates soon spreads like a foul taste throughout her life. It taints everything with a bitterness that is inescapable and felt in every interaction she has in her small community. Far from being free, she realises she is just as much in Suezo’s debt as others and we watch Otama’s face go from blissful smiles to sourness as she understands just how scorned she is outside her home and how it has become a cage since she dare not leave him and go back to being poor.

Despite being vilified by the community Suezo is not a caricature. His own rise in poverty is heard in backstory given in snatches of dialogue and he is shown to be a hard working man with a knack for making things and he even has a sense of humour but he is capable of cruelty and exploitation. Ultimately he is pitiable as we see how his own poverty has made him greedy and this has led him to making others miserable.

The humiliations and misery for Otama culminate in wordless confrontations with Suezo’s still-living wife, Otsune. One scene in particular where she runs into her on the street on a rainy day is very effective. The two carry matching umbrellas. Like a samurai duel, they square off, eyeing each other. The pressure mounts as the older and stouter woman suddenly dashes forward. Otama breaks and flees! The atmosphere is electric as we wonder how it will end.

And so we understand that in an effort to escape poverty, Otama has ended up trapped in her home as the mistress of a miserly moneylender and the situation grates until she can bear it no more. Which is where a handsome young man named Okada comes in.

As mentioned earlier, situated not far from Muen-zaka is Tokyo University and Otama’s house is along the daily walk for Okada (Hiroshi Akutagawa). Like many of the male students seen in the film, he is a vision of youthful idealism and energy, especially in contrast to the slouching and shifty Suezo, a middle-aged man steeped in malfeasance. He is noble and intelligent as told by people who Otama overhears gossiping and she sees how brave he is when he saves Otama’s caged parakeet from a snake in one scene. But he too is also a victim of Suezo’s profession since he is a medical student with tuition and tests to pay for. Despite this, or maybe because of it, Otama feels closer to him and tries to catch his attention with acts of kindness. Of course, he responds.

The two chat like bashful kids, they openly gaze at each other, and linger when they time comes for them to part. There is an almost palpable tension between the two when they are close, that aching love that makes you want to physically embrace a person and never let go. It causes them to flout social conventions and so we watch as Otama risks Suezo’s wrath and Okada seems to reciprocate. And yet we know it is impossible. Other characters warn them. Their lives are too different. How will they live? We wonder, can the two be happy together? As one of Okada’s friends says, “neither you nor I are free from the restrictions of the Meiji era.” Whether that restriction is poverty or gender roles, both are hard to escape.

This content is ripe for melodrama but everything is restrained. Words and actions are laced with ambiguity and we focus more on body language and facial expressions that tell a closer version of the truth. There is a frankness about sex that makes this believable and the drama darker but the most powerful moments are the exchange of gazes between people who love each other and people who despise each other.

Shiro Toyoda uses plenty of close-ups on the faces to show us world’s of experiences and thoughts. The lined and sly face of the old marriage broker with her disingenuous smiles, Suezo’s sharp features that suggest jealousy, ruthlessness but also regret. As for Takamine, her angelic face radiates with a range of emotions that will bowl viewers over. Up there with Setsuko Hara and Ayako Wakao, Takamine played a range of characters but does a good deal with suffering women. Her face relays depths of emotion which the camera gets to zoom in on as she aspires to love, the background going black behind her as we focus on her visage. It eventually buckles with frustration and disappointment and resolves itself with resignation over the course of the film and it is quite moving to see a woman accept her sad fate. Indeed, we feel everyone’s emotions keenly through the screen. We understand their social situations, and feel the desire for a true love that Otama feels. Alas, they cannot escape their place and some haunting words from Otama’s father come back.

“No matter how much we dwell on it, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Released in the same year as Ugetsu Monogatari (Kenji Mizoguchi) and Tokyo Story (Yasujiro Ozu), it doesn’t get much press but was recently given a profile boost, along with An Inlet of Muddy Water (Tadashi Imai), with some festivals around the world screening it to celebrate Japanese actresses. This is one of Hideko Takamine’s best works and is definitely worth checking out for the human drama, the beautiful period details and sense of society seen on screen.

無縁坂

Goke, Body Snatcher From Hell   

吸血鬼ゴケミドロ 「Kyuketsuki Gokemidoro」

Release Date: August 14th, 1968

Duration: 84 mins.

Director: Hajime Sato

Writer: Kyuzo Kobayashi, Susumu Takaku (Script),

Starring: Tereuo Yoshida (Sugisaka, the co-pilot), Tomomi Sato (Kazumi Asakura, the stewardess), Eizo Kitamura (Gozo Mano, the senator), Hideo Ko (Hirofumi Teraoka, the hijacker), Kathy Horan (Mrs. Neal), Yuko Kusunoki (Noriko Tokuyasu), Nobuo Kaneko (Tokuyasu). Kazuo Kato (Dr. Momotake, the psychiatrist), Masaya Takahashi (Toshiyuki Saga, the scientist)

IMDB

Goke, Body Snatcher From Hell is a pessimistic sci-fi horror where a group of survivors from an airplane crash encounter an extra-terrestrial blob that can turn humans into bloodsucking vampires.

Released in 1968, the same year as classic Edo-gothic horror Kuroneko (Kaneto Shindo), the disturbing drama The Profound Desire of the Gods (Nagisa Oshima), and social commetary Death By Hanging (Nagisa Oshima), while it won’t be remembered as anything ground-breaking like those titles, it has its B-movie charms that justify giving it a watch.

It all begins with Air Japan flight 8012. Flying through a strange blood-red sky from Tokyo to Osaka, we board the jet just before authorities demand that it turn back due to a bomb threat. Sugisaka, the co-pilot (Teruo Yoshida) and Kazumi Asakura, the stewardess (Tomomi Sato), in their search for the device, end up uncovering a deadly assassin who hijacks the plane but he is the least of everyone’s worries as the vehicle gets buzzed by a UFO and crashes. The survivors crawl out of the wreckage and into a world of terror as they discover that the Gokemidori, a race of aliens who suck blood, are plotting an invasion of Earth and that UFO is hanging around waiting to kidnap and transform the humans into blood-sucking freaks one by one, forcing the others to barricade themselves in the plane wreckage.

This film is a low budget high tension affair. One location, a ravine, one set, the crashed plane, and a group of 11 characters that are gradually whittled down by their in-fighting and the alien siege until the film reaches a twist ending almost as good as Invasion of the Body Snatchers but much darker.

An assassin, an American war widow, a a corrupt careerist conservative politician in bed with a greedy weapons manufacturer (figuratively) and his wife (literally), an aloof and amused psychologist and an even more aloof and amused space biologist find themselves trapped in the area and all deal with their situation badly and turn on each other, that Japanese collectivism fragmenting as self-interest, jealousy, fear, and alien attacks get the better of them. All the while, the stout and decent Sugisaka and the humane and loyal Asakura try to keep everyone together and safe. Even if they can escape the aliens safety is not guaranteed and so it is for them to get the final lines of the film as they lament that humanity is too far gone to save.

The general theme of the film is man’s inability to work together and its willingness to descend into murderous barbarism. This is keenly felt throughout Asia (now and back in 1968) in both the past (video footage of atomic bombings) and present (still photographs depicting carnage in the Vietnam War). The aliens verbalise these themes as they gloat about their nefarious plot to utilise humanity’s penchant for conflict and these themes are found in the action as the survivors play out increasingly desperate games of survival as the situation brings out their treacherous and violent natures which is far scarier than the actual aliens.

The Gokemidori are the sort of aliens who are scary as a concept but not when sighted. They come to Earth and pass judgement and find humanity lacking as capitalism, warfare, environmental destruction and man’s warlike nature have ruined everything and made Earth easy pickings for a take over. Their first appearance via flying saucers is menacing as a Close Encounters of the Third Kind golden light swallows everything while a menacing musical tone pulses but they, as actual physical beings, are little more than just ectoplasm that gloops around the set, slipping and sliding in the shadows before slurpling into people. That’s their only attack until they can possess a human in which case they do the vanilla thing of strangling people or sucking blood. It’s kind of a let-down that their body-snatching abilities are underdone and that the only visibly affect on victims is a gash that runs down the face and that isn’t something that applies to everyone. There is a nice line in desiccated corpses that turn into dust blown away by a desolate wind after the vampires are through with their meal. Also, the model work with the plane crash really is something to behold as the good old fashioned special effects hold up and convey a sense of disaster and Hajime Sato’s direction proves dynamic enough to keep everything interesting as the camera roves around sets with some grace making rather bland sets more palatable and easy to imagine.

Overall, this is one worth watching and its message about humanity, unfortunately, remains relevant today. Some of the grand speeches about mankind falling apart may be the sort of content that people need to see to understand that we had better work together to prevent more conflict, climate change etc.

Happy weekend, everyone.

I hope you are all well.

Since my last trailer post, I have watched two b-movies Goke, Body Snatcher From Hell and Matango, and three Hong Kong crime thrillers – the Infernal Affairs trilogy. I posted reviews for The Mistress/Wild Geese and Goke, Body Snatcher From Hell. Also, the latest episode of the Heroic Purgatory podcast is up and it is about Bong Joon-ho’s sophomore feature Memories of Murder!

I hope you are all listening to interesting podcasts and watching interesting films.

What Japanese films are released this weekend? 19 films so I’m splitting the trailer post up into three parts. Thankfully, I’ve written about some of these which played at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

Underdog   

アンダードッグ「Anda-doggu」

Release Date: November 27th, 2020

Duration: 276 mins.

Director: Masaharu Take

Writer: Shin Adachi (Script/Original Novel)

Starring: Mirai Moriyama, Takumi Kitamura, Ryo Katsuji, Asami Mizukawa, Kumi Takiuchi, Minori Hagiwara, Ami Tomite, Ryotaro Ninomiya, Mami Kumagai, Akira Emoto,

Website

This film has been split into two parts and it reunites writer Shin Adachi with Masaharu Take who both made the award-winning boxing film 100 Yen Love (2014). Here’s a review at the Japan Times.

Synopsis: “Underdog” follows three boxers who are all underdogs. Akira Suenaga (Mirai Moriyama) is a boxer who once had a shot at the title but has now been relegated to being a human punching bag. Ryuta Omura (Takumi Kitamura) is a young boxer with a bright future but a violent past. Shun Miyagi (Ryo Katsuji) is a TV comedian who has taken up boxing to revitalise his showbiz career. Their performance in the ring can change their lives for the better and each man struggles to win.

Sora wa doko ni aru   

空はどこにある 「Sora wa doko ni aru」

Release Date: November 25th, 2020

Duration: 38 mins.

Director: Miyo Yamaura

Writer: Miyo Yamaura (Script),

Starring: Sei Ando, Haru Asada, Koki Sawada, Kosei Kudo, Haruna Hori, Satoru Nogawa, Reiko Asano,

Twitter

Synopsis: Miki grew up without knowing her mother due to her parent’s death and now she is a mother herself with a daughter named Chihiro. She tries to balance childcare and work but Miki feels uneasy about herself as a mother.

Mogura   

もぐら 「Mogura」

Release Date: November 25th, 2020

Duration: 36 mins.

Director: Miyo Yamaura

Writer: Miyo Yamaura (Script),

Starring: Sakiko Kato, Satoshi Mitsu, Haru Kawakubo, Seijiro Konno, Nenji Nagase,

Twitter

Synopsis: Ever since her mother disappeared Aoi has lived alone in the city of Kawasaki. She is a sex worker who goes under the name “Haru”. One day, she meets a new driver sent by her agency, Kei. These are two lonely people travelling around the city at night… 

Songs of Triumph 

凱歌 「Gaika」

Release Date: November 28th, 2020

Duration: 90 mins.

Director: Katsumi Sakaguchi

Writer: N/A

Starring: Kimie Yamauchi, Sada Yamauchi, Kenichi Nakamura, Kurumi Saito, Moe Nakajima, Osamu Sagawa,

Website     Twitter

Hansen’s disease, something perhaps more commonly known as leprosy, has been the subject of a number of films such as Naomi Kawase’s Sweet Bean and an important element in the classic story Castle of Sand. It is the latest work from director Katsumi Sakaguchi, who released the award-winning documentary Walking My Mother.

Synopsis: A documentary set in the “National Sanatorium Tama Zenseien“, a facility for people with Hansen’s disease that is located in in Higashi-murayama, Tokyo. The crew of the film interviewed former Hansen’s disease patients who were forcibly admitted by the government’s life isolation policy. One of these people was Kimie Yamauchi, who entered Tama Zenseien at the age of 21 in 1951. While there, she met and married Sada, another person with Hansen’s disease. However, in order for Hansen’s disease patients to get married in the hospital, her husband had to undergo “sterilization surgery”, a policy at the time. Through meeting them, the documentary goes into details about a number of inhumane measures taken in the facility such as surgery and abortion and asks why discrimination and prejudice are repeated. 

Sasaki in My Mind     

佐々木、イン、マイマイン 「Sasaki, In, Mai Main」

Release Date: November 27th, 2020

Duration: 118 mins.

Director: Takuya Uchiyama

Writer: Takuya Uchiyama, Gaku Hosokawa (Script), 

Starring: Kisetsu Fujiwara, Gaku Hosokawa, Minori Hagiwara, Sakurako Konishi, Yusako Mori, Yuya Shintaro,

Website

Synopsis: Yuji reunites with his high school classmate Tada after trying to make it as an actor in Tokyo. They recall their high school days with Sasaki, who was a hero when he was in school and the film slips between past and present.

One in a Hundred Thousand   

10万分の1 「10 Man-bun’no 1」

Release Date: November 27th, 2020

Duration: 112 mins.

Director: Koichiro Miki

Writer: Chieko Nakagawa (Script), Kaho Miyasaka (Original Novel)

Starring: Eiji Okuda, Alan Shirahama, Jin Shirasu, Yuna Taira, Mio Yuki,

Website IMDB

Synopsis: Rino Sakuragi is a high school student who is the manager of the high school kendo club which Ren Kiritani, the most popular boy in school, is a part of. They have known each other since junior high school and Rino harbours a crush on him but lacks the confidence to ask him out because he is so popular. Then, one day, Ren confesses to Rino that he likes her and they begin to date and a sweet high school romance ensues that makes them the envy of everybody. They enjoy their time together, but Rino is diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a cruel fate that only occurs with a probability of “1 / 100,000” people.