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Yoshito Seino reports on Japanese films in Cannes…

Today (Day 2, 16th May) Japan Special 2013 is presented on Screen International at Cannes. The focus is on the Tokyo International Films Festival, TIFFCOM (international films markets) and Japanese films.

Fortunately, two Japanese films, Wara no Tate (Shield Of Straw) directed by Takashi Miike and Soshite Chichi Ni Naru (Like Father, Like Son) directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, are selected to compete in this year’s showcase at Cannes. Miike’s films are entertaining, comparable to Hollywood films, while Kore-eda’s films are much more Japanese in style. I hope one of our offerings will win the Palme d’Or, a prize not won since 1997, with Unagi directed by Shohei Imamura.

Meanwhile, various Japanese films will be showcased in market screenings and short films corners. Among which are Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s new films Real and Shinsuke Sato’s new films Library War. I think that’s good opportunity for Director Shinsuke at marketing screening of Cannes. Because, His great Sci-fi entertainment film titled GANTZ will be highlighted again. Also, in short films corner, I’m curious about Inseki to Importance and Mon Pays La vie.

I hope to introduce many impressive Japanese films at Cannes for a broader, global audience through my reviews on easternKicks and CUEAFS in UK.

We’re delighted to be offering the chance to win one of five copies of this very special film on Blu-Ray… Read more »

The Chinese Visual Festival has announced their first ever Jury Prizes, chosen by distinguished experts and professionals… Read more »

Lee Yoon-ki’s most accessible film to date is a note perfect romantic comedy that, well, isn’t – with sublime performances from leads Jeon Do-yeon and Ha Jung-woo… Read more »

Yuen Sang-ho’s debut is a graphic and bloody story of youth and pain made of memories and regrets from the past of three abandoned kids… Read more »

It’s Law and Order meets Terminator 2… Read more »

We’re offering you the chance to win a copy of one of the best films of last year, the multi-awardwinning Life Of Pi… Read more »

Yakult and Bidets can change the world… Read more »

Well done to the winner of Oblivion Island. Your copy will be in the post soon. Thanks to everyone who entered, if you weren’t successful this time stay tuned… we have a great competition coming up in the next few days!

The Terracotta Festival returns with the biggest programme yet, and just maybe strongest line-up too… Read more »

Thanks to a friend in L.A. for highlighting this ongoing exhibition to me!

Right now there’s a fun exhibition going on at the Academy’s Grand Lobby Gallery in Beverly Hills – a selection of posters from the collection of producer and screenwriter Stephen Chin, who donated more than 800 in 2011.

The posters celebrate the heyday of kung fu in the 70s, spotlighting Bruce Lee and the multitude of imitators who came after, like Bruce Li, Bruce Le and Dragon Lee; as well as stars like Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Sonny Chiba, Jet Li, Chuck Norris, Angela Mao and Sue Shiomi. A viewing station will play many of the trailers for the posters featured.

The exhibition is free and runs until 25 August. See The Academy website for more information.

We know how difficult it can be in those times of restructuring of the distribution market for Asian films in the UK. Terracotta is having a hard task countering the trend that sees shrinking outlet space for East Asian cinema. And… they are doing extremely well: First The King of Pigs and now they are bringing a double dose of Tai Chi martial art – Tai Chi Zero and Tai Chi Hero – to the big screen.

This is through a partnership with the Sci-Fi London Film Festival 2013 (April 30 to May 6) which allows the Chinese blockbuster series to find a spot at the Stratford Picturehouse this Saturday evening at 8:20pm.

Initially released in China on September 27 and October 25, 2012 those two films finally reach the British shores. This time the delay is of about 6 months, much more reasonable than for other films like Dragon. So the Stephen Fung’s vehicles shall still benefit from a novelty effect, and we will enjoy them as such. See you at the screening!

And more information about the screening on the Sci-fi London website.

Superstar Zhao Wei and superhero Iron Man give a serious boost at this year’s box office in China with stellar theatrical openings that suggest new records will be set… Read more »

Zhang Che directs Jimmy Wang Yu in the Shaw Brothers classic that made both their careers… Read more »

Beautiful, intelligent and like nothing else. Well, Peter Chan’s (The Warlords, Perhaps Love) take on the wuxia genre was never going to be straightforward?… Read more »