Welcome to the first of three trailer posts this week!
The next two will follow over the next two days.
I’m starting earlier than normal because there are over 20 Japanese films getting a release and I have to break them down into more manageable reads. On top of that, my festival coverage will begin so I’ll be posting reviews and interviews very frequently.
I forgot to mention that Detective vs Sleuths hit cinemas in Japan last week. This week sees the works of Peter Greenaway hit screens after their 4K upgrade last year.
What are the first bunch of films released this weekend?
The Parades 
パレード 「Paredo」
Release Date: February 29th, 2024
Duration: 132 mins.
Director: Michihito Fujii
Writer: Michihito Fujii (Screenplay),
Starring: Masami Nagasawa, Nana Mori, Shinobu Terajima, Lily Franky, Denden, Mai Fukagawa, Yusei Yokohama,
This film was shot by Michihito Fujii’s regular DP Keisuke Imamura (Yan). It will be available on Netflix.
Synopsis: After waking up on a beach alone, Minako is the latest lost soul collected by Akira and a small community that live in a theme park. This community exists in a purgatory they cannot leave until they address unresolved feelings. There will be a parade where the dead search for the people they have longed to meet…
52 Hertz Whales 
52ヘルツのクジラたち 「52 Herutsu Kujiratachi」
Release Date: March 01st, 2024
Duration: 135 mins.
Director: Izuru Narushima
Writer: Yukari Tatsui (Screenplay), Sonoko Machida (Original Novel),
Starring: Hana Sugisaki, Jun Shison, Hio Miyazawa, Karin Ono, Nanase Nishino,
Website Twitter: @52hzwhale_movie
Another take on the 52-hertz whale = loneliness formula.
Synopsis: A young woman moves from Tokyo to a coastal town to escape painful experiences with her family. There she meets a mute child referred to as “mushi” (insect) who is suffering abused. Gradually, these two isolated and hurt people begin to communicate and the woman remembers a person from her past who had previously reached out to help her.
Cottontail 
コットンテール 「Kottonte-ru」
Release Date: March 01st, 2024
Duration: 94 mins.
Director: Patrick Dickinson
Writer: Patrick Dickinson (Screenplay),
Starring: Lily Franky, Ryo Nishikido, Tae Kimura, Rin Takanashi, Yuri Tsunematsu, Miki Maya, Ciaran Hinds,
Website Twitter: @JP_cottontail IMDB
This is a Japanese-British co-production.
Synopsis: A recent widower named Kanzaburo travels to England to scatter the ashes of his late-wife Akiko in order to fulfil her last wishes. Their destination is Lake Windermere, the birthplace of “Peter Rabbit,” a favourite character from Akiko’s childhood, and a place they had wanted to visit together.
Suiheisen 
水平線 「Suiheisen」
Release Date: March 01st, 2024
Duration: 119 mins.
Director: Katsuya Kobayashi
Writer: Takashi Saito (Screenplay),
Starring: Pierre Taki, Gaku Oshida, Chika Uchida, Tomomitsu Adachi, Aino Kuribayashi, Wan Marui,
Website Twitter: @suiheisen_movie IMDB
Actor Katsuya Kobayashi makes his directorial debut with this title.
Synopsis: Shingo and his daughter Nao live in Fukushima Prefecture and are both still affected by the loss of his wife. She works at a fish processing plant while he runs a business that scatters ashes for the elderly and needy. Shingo and Nao find their lives begin to change when he has to handle the ashes of a murderer.
Doraemon Movie 43: Nobita no Chikyuu Symphony 
映画ドラえもん のび太の地球交響楽（シンフォニー） 「Eiga Doraemon: Nobita no Chikyuu Koukyougaku (Shinfoni-)」
Release Date: March 01st, 2024
Duration: 115 mins
Director: Kazuaki Imai
Writer: Teruki Utsumi (Screenplay), Fujiko F. Fujio (Original Creator),
Starring: Wasabi Mizuta (Doraemon), Megumi Ohara (Nobita), Kyoko Yoshine (Miina),
Animation Production: Shin-Ei Animation
Website Twitter: @doraemonChannel ANN MAL
This is the 43rd Doraemon film. It commemorates the 90th anniversary of the birth of Fujiko F. Fujio, the duo who created the character.
Synopsis: Nobita, Doraemon, and friends travel to a planet where music becomes energy and are asked to revive the place. While there, they meet an eerie life form that can erase music from the world…
Paripi Komei Road to Summer Sonia 
パリピ孔明 Road to Summer Sonia 「Paripi Komei Road to Summer Sonia」
Release Date: March 01st, 2024
Duration: 120 mins
Director: Shu Honma
Writer: Teruki Utsumi (Screenplay), Ryo Otawa, Yuto Yotsuba (Original Creator),
Starring: Ryotaro Okiayu (Koumei Shokatsu), 96Meko (Eiko Tsukimi’s singing voice), Kaede Hondo ((Eiko Tsukimi’s speaking voice),
Animation Production: P.A. Works
Website Twitter: @paripikoumei_PR ANN MAL
This is a film version of a TV animation that re-edits footage from all 12 episodes and adds a few new cuts for a performance at a festival.
Synopsis: Legendary general of the Three Kingdoms, Kongming, may have been hot stuff in “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” but his last wish on his deathbed was to be reborn into a peaceful world. His wish is granted and he is reincarnated in modern-day Shibuya which is where he meets Eiko Tsukimi, a wannabe singer-songwriter. Kongming teams up with Eiko in order to make her a star.
Miyakojima Story Futata Villa – Sea of Reunion 
宮古島物語ふたたヴィラ 再会ぬ海 「Miyakojima Monogatari Futata Bira Saikanu Umi」
Release Date: March 01st, 2024
Duration: 125 mins
Director: Yudai Uenishi
Writer: Yudai Uenishi (Screenplay),
Starring: Katsuya Shibayama, Yudai Uenishi, Ai Furukawa, Mika Tokutake, Toshiki Kashuu,
A year after the first instalment of the Miyakojima saga, cast and crew unveil the latest entry.
Synopsis: After the passing of the original owner of “Futata Villa,” a place reputed to bring reunions for people, it goes to his daughter and remains a place for many different people to restore love.
Manzai Kyokai the Movie 
漫才協会 THE MOVIE 舞台の上の懲りない面々 「Manzai Kyokai the Movie Butai no Ue no Korinai Menmen」
Release Date: March 01st, 2024
Duration: 100 mins.
Director: Nobuyuki Hanawa
Writer: N/A
Starring: Kyuji Aozora, Koji Aozora, Obon, Kobon, Kyoko Koizumi, Nobuyuki Tsuchiya (Narration)
Website Twitter: @MANKYO_THEMOVIE
Synopsis: This documentary was directed by Nobuyuki Hanawa, president of the Manzai Association, and a Manzai comedian himself. It reveals the lives of various comedians involved in the art.