Welcome to the third and final trailer post of this week
You can find part one here and part two here.
I started the trailer posts early to realign my viewing/writing schedule. I have two Hong Kong films to watch for the Heroic Purgatory podcast: On the Run and Righting Wrongs. I have a grip of Japanese films to review.
In terms of what has been published here since the last trailer post, I published more on Nippon Connection via an interview with Dr. Catherine Munroe Hotes about what she has programmed for Nippon Connections animation section. Then there was my review of Lonesome Vacation, and interview with its director, Atsuro Shimoyashiro. The film went on to win the Jury Award in the Nippon Visions Category.
What are the last trailers for the Japanese films released this weekend?
東京カウボーイ 「Tokyo Kaubo-i」
Release Date: June 07th, 2024
Duration: 118 mins.
Director: Marc Marriott
Writer: Dave Boyle, Ayako Fujitani (Screenplay),
Starring: Arata Iura, Goya Robles, Ayako Fujitani, Robin Weigert, Jun Kunimura, Scout Smith,
Website Twitter: @TOKYOCOWBOY2024 IMDB
I wrote about this one for Osaka Asian Film Festival 2024.
City slickers done Tokyo style. Tokyo Cowboy comes from Marc Marriott, a director who studied film in Japan under Yoji Yamada. It is a drama-comedy that works because of a good synthesis of eastern and western culture.
It should come as no surprise as the production side of things features Dave Boyle and Ayako Fujitani who are collaborators on other culture-combination works such as The Man From Reno. On screen are the great Jun Kunimura and Arata Iura and Ayako Fujitani so the acting is assured and the film generally has a feel good atmosphere boosted by the glorious vistas of Montana.
Synopsis: Hideki is a businessman looking to turn a struggling cattle ranch into profit-turner with a plan to sell Wagyu beef, all while juggling plans to marry his long-term girlfriend, his co-worker Keiko. To do this, he switches environments and flies from Tokyo’s forest of skyscrapers to Montana’s wide plains. Under the big skies, he makes the mistakes expected of city slickers, such as stiff sartorial decisions like keeping his salaryman suit on to falling off horses that ruin said suit. However, in his efforts to win over sceptical ranch hands and friendly locals, he learns to loosen up and appreciate the people he meets and understand the places he is in, thus helping him grow.
An easy-going and big-hearted adventure about overcoming cultural boundaries, it is filmed with a wide scope for beautiful landscapes and the pleasant characters who inhabit them, the whole experience is pleasing and it might inspire people to go to Montana and try the cowboy way of life.
P DOCUMENTARY OF PLAMO IDOL 
Release Date: June 07th, 2024
Duration: 90 mins.
Director: Satoshi Kawataki / Mina Omatsu (Animation)
Writer: N/A
Starring: Remi Amakawa,Mei Arai, Rena Ando, Erika Ishikawa, Yuka Ishida, Matoi Ohto, Sana Sato, Nana Miyazaki,
Website Twitter: @plamogirls
Synopsis: LINKL PLANET are a nine-member idol employed by BANDAI SPIRITS as plastic model ambassadors and they got their start in 2022. They get a documentary charting the run-up to their second live performance back in November 2023 to mark a year since their formation.
Funnys 
ファニーズ 「Fani-zu」
Release Date: June 07th, 2024
Duration: 97 mins.
Director: Tomoji Yamashiro
Writer: N/A
Starring: Tatsuki Yamashiro, Minato Yamashiro, Yuko Yamashiro,
Website Twitter: @Funnys_movie JFDB
Synopsis: Tatsuki Yamashiro was a comedian from the duo “Funnies,” from Okinawa, and they were popular during the 90s and went on to found his own company. He passed away at the age of 26. He is the subject of this documentary, directed by his younger brother Minato Yamashiro, a first-time director who is also a comedian like his brother Tatsuki and contains footage from the 90s and interviews with people who knew him.
Two films by Nami Iguchi will be shown together, starting at the Eurospace Cinema in Shibuya.
Keep Your Left Hand Down 
左手に気をつけろ 「Hidareite ni ki o tsukero」
Release Date: June 08th, 2024
Duration: 43 mins.
Director: Nami Iguchi
Writer: Nami Iguchi (Screenplay),
Starring: Miho Morioka, Yusaku Kawai, Yuta Akiya, Mia Kitaguchi, Sakana Hosomi,
Website Twitter: @hidarite_movie JFDB
Synopsis: In the year 20XX, a virus carried by left-handed people sweeps the world. However, children don’t get infected and so “Children’s Police” are formed to arrest left-handed people. Life continues with film seminars and café dates but cinemas are near empty and a female fortuneteller predicts destinies. With this as the background, Rin Kobe goes on a journey to find her missing older sister. On her journey, she meets the man of her dreams and becomes determined to change the world.
Dare ka ga utteru
だれかが歌ってる 「Dare ka ga utteru」
Release Date: June 08th, 2024
Duration: 30 mins.
Director: Nami Iguchi
Writer: Nami Iguchi (Screenplay),
Starring: Megumi Nagoya, Mia Kitaguchi, Kei Matsumoto,
Synopsis: This film, which served as inspiration for the one above, depicts how people are connected through overlapping coincidence and a melody that is heard out of nowhere on an ordinary street corner.