Happy Weekend
I hope you are well.
This is the first in a two-part trailer post, so tune in for more tomorrow.
Reminder: We’ve entered the final few days to watch free films that are part of the Japan Fringe strand at Cinematheque Francaise’s streaming site.
What are this week’s first films?
Orbital Children / Extra-Terrestrial Children Kouhen “Hajimari no Monogatari”
地球外少年少女 後編「はじまりの物語」 「 Chikyuugai Shounen Shoujo Kouhen “Hajimari no Monogatari”」
Release Date: February 11th, 2022
Duration: 91 mins
Director: Mitsuo Iso
Writer: Mitsuo Iso (Screenplay/Original Creator)
Starring: Natsumi Fujiwara (Touya Sagami), Mariya Ise (Nasa Houston), Yumiko Kobayashi (Hiroshi Tanegashima), Kensho Ono (Taiyou Tsukuba), Azumi Waki (Konoha Б Nanase), Chinatsu Akasaki (Miina Misasa)
Animation Production: Production +h
Mitsuo Iso, the man behind Dennou Coil has a new six-episode anime out and it will be available to stream worldwide via Netflix on January 28th. The theatrical release is the second part of a two-part release.
Synopsis: It is the year 2045 and the Internet and artificial intelligence have spread into space following in the trail of astronauts and it has now become easier to ascend to the stars. We follow children who meet at the Japanese-built space station, “Anshin,” a place where kids, whether born on Earth or in space, can transition to the atmosphere’s of each other’s homes. Their future is put in peril after a comet strike leaves them stranded. Their only means for survival are AI, their smartphones, and each other as the kids band together, fight, and struggle to survive.
Usogui 
嘘喰い 「Usogui」
Release Date: February 11th, 2022
Duration: 119 mins.
Director: Hideo Nakata
Writer: Tetsuya Oishi, Itaru Era (Script), Toshio Saki (Original Manga),
Starring: Ryusei Yokohama, Hayato Sano, Mai Shiraishi, Kanata Hongo, Shohi Miura, Win Morisaki,
Synopsis: Baku Madarame (Ryusei Yokohama) aka The Lie Eater, is a skilled gambler who has earned his moniker because he can see through lies. He enters a dangerous game at Club Kakerou, an illegal gambling den that influences the upper echelons of Japanese politics and finance and the criminal underworld. When Baku hears that a new member is making a killing, Baku takes on a dangerous death game against a group of top-notch cheaters who are mired in greed…
Just Remembering 
ちょっと思い出しただけ 「Chotto omoidashita dake」
Release Date: February 11th, 2022
Duration: 115 mins.
Director: Daigo Matsui
Writer: Daigo Matsui (Script),
Starring: Sosuke Ikmatsu, Sairi Ito, Jun Kunimura, Masatoshi Naggase, Misuzu Kanno,
Synopsis: Jim Jarmusch’s film Night on Earth inspired Sekaikan Ozaki of Creephyp to write a song. Director Daigo Matsui, who had previously worked with Creephyp on How Selfish I Am! was then inspired to write an original screenplay by the song. Sosuke Ikematsu, one of the leads in How Selfish takes on a lead role here where he plays the ex-lover of Sairi Ito’s character and they reminisce about moments in their relationship.
Kitakaze Outsider 
北風アウトサイダー 「Kitakaze Autosaida-」
Release Date: February 11th, 2022
Duration: 151 mins.
Director: Tetsuhiro Sai
Writer: Tetsuhiro Sai (Script),
Starring: Tetsuhiro Sai, Maho Kaisaku, Wataru Ito, Wako Ueda, Aimi Tanaka,
Synopsis: In Osaka’s Ikuno ward, Koreans make up a sizeable community and they face discrimination. In this climate, a debt-burdened family come together for the funeral of the mother. Her eldest son, Yonggi, who disappeared 15 years ago, also returns, and his appearance has changed…