Happy weekend, everyone.
We made it to another one and thank you for joining me here.
This week was packed to the rafters with coverage of the New York Asian Film Festival and all the while I had to go back to regular work, with an admittedly reduced schedule, and amend a funding form for a film festival. I have been busy writing reviews for films and posted a preview for the San Sebastien Film Festival 2020 which launches later this month. Already underway is the Venice International Film Festival. I also posted about the upcoming release of Melancholic by Third Window Films. Here’s my review.
What were the films I reviewed?
Dancing Mary Dir: Sabu (2019) – a fun genre mash-up movie where a supernatural romance meets a road trip with yakuza action and Kurosawa style atmospherics. Sabu uses familiar themes of fate and finding a purpose whilst utilising a similar structure to some of his more recent films by having an extended flashback tie everything up. My review is over at V-Cinema
One Night Dir: Kazuya Shiraishi (2019) – it started off promisingly with a uncomfortable yet believable depiction of people dealing with domestic violence and the insidious ways that it can destroy and reshape people, but a let crime-fuelled subplot used to ease the characters into a cathartic ending was too contrived to be believed. My review is over at V-Cinema
A Beloved Wife Dir: Shin Adachi (2019) – a stellar comedy that is both hilarious and uncomfortable about the dysfunctional relationship between a lazy sex-mad writer and his long-suffering wife. The writing was pure perfection as these two angular characters clashed as she pushes him to be a better guy and he focuses on getting laid. A late redemption for everyone feels earned and highly rewarding. One of my favourite films of the year. Here’s my review.
I watched some non-Japanese films including Grizzly Man Dir: Werner Herzog and Taxi Dir: Jean-luc Besson.
What is released this weekend?
The Brightest Roof in the Universe 
宇宙でいちばんあかるい屋根「Uchu de Ichiban Akarui Yane」
Release Date: September 04th, 2020
Duration: 115 mins.
Director: Michihito Fujii
Writer: Michihito Fujii (Script), Tomoso Nonaka (Original Novel)
Starring: Kaya Kiyohara, Kaori Momoi, Kentaro Ito, Maki Sakai, Miki Mizuno, Takashi Yamanaka, Hidetaka Yoshioka,
Synopsis: 14-year-old Tsubame (Kaya Kiyohara) lives in a nice place with her father Toshio (Hidetaka Yoshioka) and stepmother Asako (Maki Sakai) and the boy she loves, university student Toru (Kentaro Ito), and her biggest issue in life is not being able to declare her feelings for him. Then, one day, she learns that Asako is pregnant and she begins to feel left out. The place she works through her feelings is the rooftop of her calligraphy class which is where she finds a strange kickboard scooter and a mysterious old woman Hoshi-baa (Kaori Momoi) who suddenly appears in front of her.
Ninzu no Machi 
人数の町「Ninzu no Machi」
Release Date: September 04th, 2020
Duration: 111 mins.
Director: Shinji Araki
Writer: Shinji Araki (Script), Tomoso Nonaka (Original Novel)
Starring: Tomoya Nakamura, Shizuka Ishibashi, Eri Tachibana, Junpei Hashino, Rio Kanno, Elisa Yanagi, So Yamanaka,
Synopsis: Aoyama (Tomoya Nakamura) is a young man shackled by debts but his life changes when a mysterious bearded man tells him of a town where he can indulge himself in the pleasures of food, clothing and more. Aoyama arrives in this town and discovers that it is a place people can freely enter but cannot leave…
Restart After Come Back Home 
リスタートはただいまのあとで「Risuta-to ha tadaima no ato de」
Release Date: September 04th, 2020
Duration: 99 mins.
Director: Ryuta Inoue
Writer: Kumiko Sato (Script), Cocomi (Original Manga)
Starring: Yuki Furukawa, Ryo Ryusei, Eri Murakawa, Gaku Sano, Hiroko Nakajima, Yukijiro Hotaru, Masahiro Komoto,
Synopsis: Mitsuomi Kozuka (Yuki Furukawa) quits his job in Tokyo due to his boss and returns to his hometown in the countryside. It has been 10 years since he was last there and he struggles to win back the approval of his family and his community. He meets Yamato Kumai (Ryo Ryusei), a young man adopted by one of his neighbours during his time away and the two become good friends, but, one night, Mitsuomi Kozuka kisses Yamato Kumai while he is sleeping…
Our Lies and Truths: Documentary of Keyakizaka46 
僕たちの嘘と真実 Documentary of 欅坂46「Bokutachi no uso to shinjitsu Documentary of Keyakizaka46」
Release Date: September 04th, 2020
Duration: 136 mins.
Director: Eiki Takahashi
Writer: N/A
Starring: Keyakizaka46,
Synopsis: The first documentary movie for the idol group “Keyakizaka46”, we get footage from their debut in 2016, their participation in NHK’s annual Kouhaku, a large-scale arena tour nationwide, their two-day Tokyo Dome performance, the retiring of member Yurina Hirate and their activities during the present coronavirus crisis.
Ile Noire Black Island 
イル・ノワール 黒い島「Iru nowa-ru Kuroi Shima」
Release Date: September 04th, 2020
Duration: 35 mins.
Director: Kishin Shinoyama
Writer: N/A
Starring: Rina, Mari,
Synopsis: A video work showing the sisters Rino and Mari by famous photographer Kishin Shinoyama (Wikipedia link) who specialises in sensual pictures shot in monochrome.
Kiss Cam! COME ON, KISS ME AGAIN! 
キスカム！ COME ON, KISS ME AGAIN!「Kisu Kamu! COME ON, KISS ME AGAIN!」
Release Date: September 04th, 2020
Duration: 91 mins.
Director: Hana Matsumoto
Writer: Rinrin (Script),
Starring: Shono Hayama, Akane Hotta, Arisa Yagi, Takashi Tsukamoto, Aika Yukihira, Nao,
This has been billed as a ‘ kiss film’ that will get viewers in the mood to kiss someone. The cast mostly consists of charismatic women in their 20s born after 1989.
Synopsis: A guy named Umi (Shono Hayama) gets dumped by his girlfriend Saya (Akane Hotta) and is feeling down but when the cosmetics company he works for assigns him to a subsidiary company called “Amorous Consultations”, his mood changes as he gets involved in work designed to solve problems in love through kisses. Then, one day, he gets a query from Saya.
Denen Boys THE MOVIE 
劇場版 田園ボーイズ「Gekijouban denen bo-izu」
Release Date: September 04th, 2020
Duration: 95 mins.
Director: Kenichiro Nishiumi
Writer: Sadayume Ikeura (Script),
Starring: Shotaro Arisawa, Yuu Imari, Naoki Tanaka, Yuuya Matsuura, Yoko Mitsuya,
A movie sequel to a drama that was broadcast on local, stations.
Synopsis: Somewhere in rural Japan are four handsome guys who think they can cut it as the best hosts in Tokyo’s Kabukicho and start their own host club. They are Shinji, a clerk at the gas station, Yasuo, a civil servant. Jiro, the son of a farmer, and their audience consists of local middle-aged women. Frustrated with their lack of success, they struggle along but when an actress named Misono, who is shooting a movie nearby, comes to visit, she introduces the guys on SNS and they suddenly become famous…
TK from Ling Tosite Sigure Studio Live for “SAINOU” Film Gig Emotion 
TK from 凛として時雨 Studio Live for “SAINOU” Film Gig Emotion「TK from Ling Tosite Sigure Studio Live for “SAINOU” Film Gig Emotion」
Release Date: September 04th, 2020
Duration: 77 mins.
Director: Kentaro Saisho
Writer: N/A
Starring: TK
Synopsis: TK of the rock band Ling Tosite Sigure performed a live session that has been recorded. This features unreleased songs that were newly produced for this theatrical release.
The island where we were born OKINAWA 2018 
私たちが生まれた島 OKINAWA2018「Watashitachi ga Umareta Shima OKINAWA 2018」
Release Date: September 04th, 2020
Duration: 141 mins.
Director: Shinya Todori
Writer: N/A
Starring: N/A
Synopsis: Following on from the documentary, Okinawa 1965 (2017), which looked at the prefecture when it was under U.S. control, director Shinya Todori looks at how contemporary Okinawans regard the base, from teenagers to those in their 40s.
Reframe THEATER EXPERIENCE with you 
私たちが生まれた島 OKINAWA2018「Watashitachi ga Umareta Shima」
Release Date: September 04th, 2020
Duration: 85 mins.
Director: Taketoshi Sado
Writer: N/A
Starring: Perfume: Ayano Omoto,Yuka Kashino, Ayaka Nishiwaki,
Synopsis: Perfume’s Reframe concert, which took place at the Line Cube Shibuya concert venue in October 2019, is brought to the screen by director Taketoshi Sado, who previously helmed the the group’s last concert film, WE ARE Perfume -WORLD TOUR 3rd DOCUMENT, and it uses the scope of cinema to provide an enhanced view of the performance.
Daibutsu Kaikoku The Great Buddha Arrival 
大仏廻国 The Great Buddha Arrival「Daibutsu Kaikoku The Great Buddha Arrival」
Release Date: September 04th, 2020
Duration: 85 mins.
Director: Hiroto Yokokawa
Writer: Hiroto Yokokawa, Yuki Yonezawa, Kazuma Yoneyama, Kensaku Sakai (Script), Yoshiro Edamasa (Original Work)
Starring: Masanori Kikuzawa, Kazuma Yoneyama, Iwata Momoka, Yuma, Ai Aoki, Yukijiro Hotaru, Akira Takarada, Shiro Sano, Akira Kubo, Yukiko Kobayashi, Norman England
The Great Buddha Arrival is a reboot of a same-named film made in 1934 by Edamasa Yoshiro. It original was one of the earliest Japanese “Tokusatsu (special effects)” movies but was destroyed during World War ll. The remake was produced by 3Y Film and was made with the cooperation of the grandson of the original director, Yoshiro Edamasa. Additional footage with new actors, many famous from tokusatsu films, was shot to extend the film’s run time for international distribution, with still more footage shot for a Japanese theatrical release in 2020. Details from Wikizilla.
Synopsis: The plot focuses on one particular giant Buddha statue (known in Japan as a “Daibutsu”), the 33ft tall Shurakuen Buddha statue, located in Aichi, which suddenly springs to his feet and wanders around Nagoya city and the story becomes even stranger when Heaven and Hell appear later in the film.
Meg Lion 
メグ・ライオン「Megu Raion」
Release Date: September 04th, 2020
Duration: 52 mins.
Director: Minoru Kawasaki
Writer: Minoru Kawasaki, Hirotoshi Kobayashi (Script),
Starring: Mami Hase, Anna Asano, Jonathan Sieger, Yuta Watanabe, Ryu Manatsu, Shimako Iwai, Miwako Tanaka, Sakura Rin, Shiffon, Mio Momoyama,
This film stars Mami Hase, a regular middle-aged woman (non-actress), who got the role through buying a lucky bag at a department store, a custom that happens every around new year as stores offload old goods. You don’t know what is in each bag that you buy but it turns out that being a film star was the lady’s dream!
Synopsis: One day, Meg Shido (Mami Hase), a frustrated office lady in her 50s who is a bit of a loner, sees a naked handsome man named Jonathan appear out of thin air Terminator-like, and he tells her, “You are the princess of the King Lion star and the daughter of the Galactic Federation’s 10 billion star royal family.” Then, Jonathan’s kiss tries to transform her into a beautiful woman, but an Ultra Tiger alien who tries to obtain her secret power stretches out a devil’s hand.
The Sleeping Insect 
眠る虫「Nemuru Mushi」
Release Date: September 05th, 2020
Duration: 62 mins.
Director: Yurina Kaneko
Writer: Yurina Kaneko (Script),
Starring: Ryo Matsuura, Takeo Gozu, Kaoru Mizuki, Yura Sato, Hirobumi Watanabe,
This is the feature film debut by director Yurina Kaneko, who has received attention for her Pia Film Festival Award 2019 winning work Walking Plants which screened at Nippon Connection earlier this year. Sleeping Insects went on to win he 2019 MOOSIC LAB Grand Prix. You can view it, and other MOOSIC LAB films, here.
Synopsis: Kanako Seri is on a packed bus heading to band practice. She becomes fascinated by a melody being hummed by a fellow passenger, an old man who is a stranger. When the bus reaches Kanako’s stop, she doesn’t get off, she continues on the route. The number of passengers on the bus gradually decreases until she eventually reaches the final stop in what turns out to be a strange journey.
Sore wa maru de ningen no you ni 
それはまるで人間のように「Sore wa maru de ningen no you ni」
Release Date: September 05th, 2020
Duration: 78 mins.
Director: Nebiro Hashimoto
Writer: Nebiro Hashimoto (Script),
Starring: Chiho Shishime, Yasuyuki Sakurai, Yumiko Teradansu, Yuuta Katagishi, Iyo Tomita,
Synopsis: Nebiro Hashimoto, the director of the short film Tokyo Girl (the 8-minute short which was programmed for Japan Cuts 2020) which won the Grand Prix at the Tokyo Gakusei Eigasai, makes his debut feature film with this story about the relationship between Hana and Suzuki who love each other at the outset, but gradually fall apart as Hana becomes fed up with Suzuki, living off her.
Tokyo Jihen 2020.7.24 Leap Vision Special News Flash
東京事変2020.7.24閏vision特番ニュースフラッシュ「Tōkyō jihen 2020. 7. 24 Urū vision tokuban nyu-su furasshu」
Release Date: September 05th, 2020
Duration: 78 mins.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
Starring: Tokyo Jihen: Ringo Sheena, Ukigumo, Seiji Kameda, Ichiyo Izawa, Mikio Hirama, Toshiki Hata,
No trailer
Synopsis: Tokyo Jihen, ace musician Ringo Sheena’s group, reformed for the first time in eight years back in January 2020 and were planning to hold a national tour “Live Tour 2020 News Flash” from February to April, but due to the spread of the covid-19, that plan was abandoned and then, on July 24th, when the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics was supposed to be held, band members and staff gathered at the NHK Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo, and gave a live performance of “Live Tour 2020 News Flash” to an audience. This film is available on certain streaming services and will be screened for four days in September – 5th, 12th, 13th, 14th.
Hibiki ausekai Resonance 
ひびきあうせかい RESONANCE「Hibiki ausekai Resonance」
Release Date: September 05th, 2020
Duration: 70 mins.
Director: Toshinori Tanaka
Writer: Toshinori Tanaka (Script), Cocomi (Original Manga)
Starring: Takuji Aoyagi, Yasumasa Ohara, Seiko Obara, Marcus Archer,
Synopsis: A documentary following the activities of Takuji Aoyagi, a musician who was born and raised in Tokyo with a guitarist grandfather and mother. A musician and father with two daughters, he left the modern city where people and nature were separated and moved to Okinawa. With the grandfather’s dream of creating harmony that transcends national borders through music, he creates a participatory music event, “Circle Voice,” where people form a circle and join together with musicians around the world. The film follows Aoyagi’s journey to Okinawa, Tokyo, Munich, and Leipzig, and reflects a peaceful world found at the moment when people join their voices together across borders and races.
Hataraku Saibou!! Saikyou no Teki, Futatabi. Karada no Naka wa “Chou” Osawagi! 
「はたらく細胞!!」最強の敵、再び。体の中は“腸”大騒ぎ！ 「Hataraku Saibou!! Saikyou no Teki, Futatabi. Karada no Naka wa “Chou” Osawagi!」
Release Date: August 22nd, 2020
Duration: 112 mins.
Director: Hirofumi Ogura
Writer: Yuuko Kakihara (Script), Akane Shimizu (Original Manga)
Starring: Kana Hanazawa (Red Blood Cell), Tomoaki Maeno (White Blood Cell), Akira Ishida (Cancer Cell), Daisuke Ono (Killer T Cell/Memory T Cell), Rie Takahashi (Lactic Acid Bacteria)
Animation Production: David Production
Synopsis: A spin-off movie from the second season of the show that takes us into the inner-workings of the human body where many cells are at work. White blood cells (neutrophils) and red blood cells meet the normal cells that protected the lost lactic acid bacteria. White blood cells (neutrophils) and general cells go to the intestine to send lactic acid bacteria to their friends, where the strongest enemy cancer cells were waiting. The intestinal environment is devastated by cancer cells and bad bacteria, causing the body to enter an unprecedented pinch.