Welcome to the first of three trailer posts this week.
The next two posts drop over the next two days.
After a rocky couple of years, I restarted language learning and I’ve got to a point in my Japanese studies where I can pick up on even more dialogue and understand things better. This has come from starting actual lessons and immersing myself in the language more. This realisation came from Diva in the Netherworld, directed by Takafumi Nagamine where I didn’t need subtitles.
What are the first batch of films for this weekend?
チャチャ 「Cha-Cha」
Release Date: October 11th, 2024
Duration: 108 mins.
Director: Mai Sakai
Writer: Mai Sakai, Takamasa Oe (Screenplay),
Starring: Mariko Ito, Taishi Nakagawa, Shodai Fukuyama, Nanoka Hara, Rena Matsui, Yota Kawase, 
Website Twitter: @NotHeroineM
This is the latest film in the “(not) HEROINE” project, which focuses on up-and-coming actresses and next-generation directors to create films from unique perspectives and non-traditional, female-focused stories. Helming the project is Mai Sakai. Her last film was You Made My Dawn released back in September 2023. Sakai was helped in writing the film by Takamasa Oe (writer on Drive My Car, writer-director on Whales Bones) and her star is former Nogizaka46 idol Marika Ito.
It was featured at Japan Cuts 2024.
Website Twitter: @NotHeroineM
Synopsis: Cha-Cha is a free-spirited artist who works at a graphic design company. She lives her life as she pleases and falls into a relationship with Raku, a mysterious guy who intrigues her. One day, Cha-Cha sees something questionable in his apartment and things take a disturbing turn. Behind “the whimsical colors of a romantic comedy are darker hues to be found in its deranged depths.”
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin Movie Edition Dai-San-Sho Rumu Hen 
機動戦士ガンダム THE ORIGIN（movie edition） 第三章 ルウム編 「Kido Senshi Gundam: The Origin (movie edition) Dai-San-Sho Ruumu Hen 」
Release Date: September 27th, 2024
Duration: 120 mins
Chief Director: Katsuyuki Sumisawa, Director: Takashi Imanishi,
Writer: Yuniko Ayana (Series Composition), Hajime Yatate, Yoshiyuki Tomino (Original Creator),
Starring: Shuuichi Ikeda (Char Aznable), Toru Furuya (Amuro Ray), Megumi Han (Sayla Mass), Ken Narita (Bright Noa), Satomi Arai (Haro) Saori Hayami (Lalah Sune),
Animation Production: Sunrise
Synopsis: This is the third chapter of the three-chapter movie adaptation of “Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN,” an OVA series that ran for six episodes between 2015 and 2018. The series has been re-edited for theatrical screening and does not include new cuts or new footage. The story takes place after the Duchy of Zeon conducts a colony drop that results in the death of half of the world’s population and the Earth Federation Forces fight back and the rise of Char Aznable and the Battle of Loum.
カフネ 「Kafune」
Release Date: October 12th, 2024
Duration: 66 mins.
Director: Haruki Kinemura
Writer: Haruki Kinemura, Miu Chiba (Screenplay),
Starring: Suika Yamazaki, Taishi, Isana Matsumoto, Takashi Irie, Ichika Sakura,
Website Twitter: @Cafunekumano
played at Osaka Asian Film Festival 2023.
Synopsis: Is this a case of too much, too young as two teens living in a port town 
find themselves pregnant? The mother and the father wrestle with how to take responsibility while their family and friends look on. This, however, is part of a bigger battle the two face, one of finding out how to express themselves and what they want from their future. In his debut feature-length film Haruki Kinemura delicately depicts different desires and conflicts surrounding the characters, all while taking advantage of the beautiful views of the seaside locations in Mie Prefecture.
This film was inspired by a rise in teen pregnancies during the Covid-19 pandemic.