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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.

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

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.

This year’s festival, held in partnership with King’s College London, has been significantly expanded to cover the Chinese speaking world, including art, films and more from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Featuring a wide range of creative and entertaining content, the festival presents the reality of the Chinese speaking world to global audiences through imaginative conversations between moving images and art.

THe festival will include working with King’s Cultural Institute, Objects of Fantasy, the first solo exhibition for Chinese artist Wang Yuyang, at the Inigo Rooms, Somerset House East Wing.

They will also be welcoming four prestigious documentary film makers: Zhou Hao from Mainland China, Wu Wuna from Taiwan and Tammy Cheung and Wong Yee Mei from Hong Kong. The works of the directors form part of a fascinating program of 29 films, almost all UK premieres, covering a wide range of topics from modern relationships through to politics, the environment and more. This year, the festival has selected its first ever animations and fiction film, offering audiences enhanced variety.

The festival runs uns from 8th May 8th to 12th June at King’s College London. For the full programme of events and to purchase tickets, see chinesevisualfestival.org.

As part of this year’s Terracotta Festival, Terracotta are partnering with Cathay Pacific to present an exciting competition to win a trip to the vibrant city of Hong Kong… (more…)

Regular contributor Fausto gives us a rundown of what to look forward to at Cannes this year… (more…)

We chat to Asia House’s festival director Sumi Ghose and artistic director Alison Poltock… (more…)

The Deauville Asian Film Festival is beginning tonight until March 10, and here is the complete program of the next 5 days… (more…)

The Pan-Asia Film Festival returns for a 5th time tomorrow, with a strong and, as ever, diverse range of films… (more…)

Fausto presents some of the more interesting Asian films screening at the Berlinale Film Festival, which runs from 7-17 February… (more…)

Examining the country’s past through the eyes of contemporary filmmakers such as Kore-eda and Takashi Miike, the Japan Foundation’s latest touring film programme debuts on 1 February… (more…)

A sweet wonderfully evocative animation about adolescence and growing up – finally released on DVD… (more…)

The bit where we take a look back at the year, and what’s coming up next year… (more…)

We were expecting something special, but this star-studded – Bruce, John and Helen…? (more…)

We join the LKFF for the opening gala of The Thieves, and a rather fine Q&A with director Choi Dong-hoon and lead star Kim Yoon-suk… (more…)

If you live in London and use the underground on a regular basis, then it’s been pretty much impossible to miss that the 7th London Korean Film Festival begins this Thursday, 1 November,. This time the festival will stretch to Kingston in Southwest London, Bristol, Bournemouth and Glasgow with screenings continuing to 16 November.

Things will get off to a rattling good start with an opening ceremony with a screening of Choi Dong-hoon’s The Thieves, one of the biggest Korean box office successes of the year, and a Q&A with the director and star Kim Yoon-Suk (The Yellow Sea) A co-production with Hong Kong set in Macau, it features a great cast of Korean and Hong Kong stars including Kim Hye-soo (The Red Shoes), Lee Jung-jae (The Housemaid), Simon Yam (Election, Exiled) and Derek Tsang (The Eye 2). Choi is no stranger to commercial successes, with Woochi: The Demon Slayer and Tazza: The High Rollers, both also playing in this festival.

Other movies of note include Jung Ji-woo’s EunGyo (A Muse); Kim Dong-won’s Black Eagle (R2B: Return to Base, aka Sour Into The Sun) starring Rain and Shin Sang-ok; Jang Yoon-hyun’s Gabi; animated films PADAK and King Of Pigs; Park Jung-woo’s sci fi horror Deranged; Moon Hyun-sung’s As One; Kim Tae-gyoon-I’s Spring, Snow, with a Q&A with actress Youn Suk-hwa and more than a few K-Pop features and documentaries – which PSY’s current Gangnam Style popularity can only propel right now.

(It’s okay if I say that’s one thing I don’t look forward too…?)

The closing gala features Choo Chang-min’s Masquerade, starring Lee Byung-hun on a break from all those Hollywood films he keeps making. Originally this was due to include a Q&A with Director Choo Chang-min and Actor Lee Byung-hun, however that appears to have disappeared now from website listing (but not in the festival directors statement or highlights email?!). The gala, which is already sold out, takes place on Saturday 10 November, though film screenings continue in London the day after.

Check out the full schedule on the London Korean Film Festival site.