Cinema Guild has acquired the North American distribution rights for the new 4K restoration of Shinji Somai’s 1993 film Moving from MK2 Films. The New York-based distributor of world cinema plans to open the film in specialist U.S. and Canada theaters in 2024.
The newly restored version of Somai’s coming-of-age classic won the best restored film prize at Venice Classics when it premiered at the Biennale in September.
One of Somai’s best-known works, Moving premiered at the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section in 1993. The film tells the story of Renko (Tomoko Tabata), a young girl coming to terms with her parents splitting up. Living with her mother Nazuna in Kyoto, Renko leans on her boyfriend and best friend as she tries to first get her parents to reconcile before deciding to find her own place in the world.
“Moving shows Shinji Somai’s style at...
The newly restored version of Somai’s coming-of-age classic won the best restored film prize at Venice Classics when it premiered at the Biennale in September.
One of Somai’s best-known works, Moving premiered at the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section in 1993. The film tells the story of Renko (Tomoko Tabata), a young girl coming to terms with her parents splitting up. Living with her mother Nazuna in Kyoto, Renko leans on her boyfriend and best friend as she tries to first get her parents to reconcile before deciding to find her own place in the world.
“Moving shows Shinji Somai’s style at...
- 10/25/2023
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Japan Society announces Amiko directed by Yusuke Morii as the winner of the third Obayashi Prize at Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film. The film is selected from titles within Next Generation—the festival's sole competitive section introduced in 2020 dedicated to independently produced narrative feature films from emerging filmmakers in Japan.
The festival's only juried section, Next Generation awards the Obayashi Prize to the most accomplished title as determined by a jury of industry professionals. This year's distinguished jurors are: critic and essayist Moeko Fujii; Dan Sullivan, programmer at Film at Lincoln Center; and distributor Pearl Chan. The jury remarks:
“As Amiko peeks into calligraphy class watching other children practice discipline and character building, they play a game of who can spot her first. She is too much, too loud; she cannot be held inside the lines and there is no language to describe her. This is where the...
The festival's only juried section, Next Generation awards the Obayashi Prize to the most accomplished title as determined by a jury of industry professionals. This year's distinguished jurors are: critic and essayist Moeko Fujii; Dan Sullivan, programmer at Film at Lincoln Center; and distributor Pearl Chan. The jury remarks:
“As Amiko peeks into calligraphy class watching other children practice discipline and character building, they play a game of who can spot her first. She is too much, too loud; she cannot be held inside the lines and there is no language to describe her. This is where the...
- 8/8/2023
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Coming-of-age dramas often focus on challenges that affect us all and how they can be overcome. But Yusuke Morii's “Amiko” focuses very much on a child that isn't like anyone else, and as such, those around her don't know how to deal with her, as a story of a unique life sees a unique comedy in a strong directorial debut.
Amiko (Kana Osawa) lives in a suburb of Hiroshima with her father (Arata Iura), pregnant mother (Machiko Ono) and older brother. They have what appears to be a very simple life of a young family, with a humble father, diligent mother and caring older brother for his eccentric and enthusiastic little sister. But tragic events strike, and the family all have their lives shaken up. All that is, apart from the naïve and bright-eyed Amiko.
While the rest of the family show clear signs of grief, Amiko is still...
Amiko (Kana Osawa) lives in a suburb of Hiroshima with her father (Arata Iura), pregnant mother (Machiko Ono) and older brother. They have what appears to be a very simple life of a young family, with a humble father, diligent mother and caring older brother for his eccentric and enthusiastic little sister. But tragic events strike, and the family all have their lives shaken up. All that is, apart from the naïve and bright-eyed Amiko.
While the rest of the family show clear signs of grief, Amiko is still...
- 3/9/2023
- by Andrew Thayne
- AsianMoviePulse
Shinji Somai’s crying out for a re-release 1993 work “Ohikkoshi” is masterful in its simplicity. An oft-told tale of a pre-teen, Renko, struggling to come to terms with her parents’ separation, Somai creates one of the most realistic and powerful coming-of-age dramas; and one of Japan’s best films on the 90s.
Somai’s development of Renko shows real empathy and brilliant character development, starting off with denial, developing into fear, rage and isolation. Depicting the breakdown of the family unit into individuals, the natural pacing throughout culminates in one of the best – and most heart-breaking – closing passages in modern cinema. In remembering her past, Renko sees her present state and what it means for her future in a powerful scene where young Tomoko Tabata shines, reminiscent of Mizoguchi’s “Sansho the Bailiff”. But not content with the finale alone, Somai uses the end credits to address the change in...
Somai’s development of Renko shows real empathy and brilliant character development, starting off with denial, developing into fear, rage and isolation. Depicting the breakdown of the family unit into individuals, the natural pacing throughout culminates in one of the best – and most heart-breaking – closing passages in modern cinema. In remembering her past, Renko sees her present state and what it means for her future in a powerful scene where young Tomoko Tabata shines, reminiscent of Mizoguchi’s “Sansho the Bailiff”. But not content with the finale alone, Somai uses the end credits to address the change in...
- 5/1/2022
- by Andrew Thayne
- AsianMoviePulse
Despite the fact that Shinji Somai had been popular in Japan since the 80’s, his fame did not surpass the borders of Asia until the 90’s. One of the first festivals that acknowledged his skill was Cannes, with “Moving” screening in the Un Certain Regard section in 1993.
Based on the novel “Ohikkoshi”, by Hiko Tanaka, the film revolves around Renko, a girl in the sixth grade (between 11 and 12 years old) whose parents’ divorce shutters her happy but fragile life. In the beginning, the girl is rather calm, as she does not seem to realize fully, what exactly is going on. As time passes though, she begins to act out, in all aspects of her life. In school, she starts hanging out with the class’s “pariah,” a girl whose parents are also divorced, thus alienating her former friends. Furthermore, when they confront her about the fact, the...
Based on the novel “Ohikkoshi”, by Hiko Tanaka, the film revolves around Renko, a girl in the sixth grade (between 11 and 12 years old) whose parents’ divorce shutters her happy but fragile life. In the beginning, the girl is rather calm, as she does not seem to realize fully, what exactly is going on. As time passes though, she begins to act out, in all aspects of her life. In school, she starts hanging out with the class’s “pariah,” a girl whose parents are also divorced, thus alienating her former friends. Furthermore, when they confront her about the fact, the...
- 12/22/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
It is a rare occasion when Takashi Miike directs an almost completely tame film, while it borders on surprise when you have Tatsuya Fujiwara, one of the most hyperbolic actors in Japanese cinema, exercising the same kind of restraint. For that only, “Sabu” is a unique entry in Miike’s filmography. Let us see, however, how it fares as a movie.
Made as a TV film to mark the 40th anniversary of Nagoya TV, “Sabu” is based on a novel by Shugoro Yamamoto, whose works also served as basis for “Red Beard” and “Sanjuro”. One of the harshest “themes” of Edo period, parents sending away their kids because they were not able to feed them, serves as the basis, as the titular character has suffered this fate in the hands of a papermaker. While still a kid, he meets Eiji, who has become an apprentice after being orphaned at a young age,...
Made as a TV film to mark the 40th anniversary of Nagoya TV, “Sabu” is based on a novel by Shugoro Yamamoto, whose works also served as basis for “Red Beard” and “Sanjuro”. One of the harshest “themes” of Edo period, parents sending away their kids because they were not able to feed them, serves as the basis, as the titular character has suffered this fate in the hands of a papermaker. While still a kid, he meets Eiji, who has become an apprentice after being orphaned at a young age,...
- 4/3/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Keep up with the wild and wooly world of indie film acquisitions with our weekly Rundown of everything that’s been picked up around the globe. Check out last week’s Rundown here.
– The Orchard has acquired the rights to “Kings,” the drama starring Halle Berry and Daniel Craig and directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Deadline reports. The film focuses on a foster family in South Central a few weeks before the city erupts in violence following the verdict of the Rodney King trial in 1992.
Ergüven previously directed “Mustang,” which received an Oscar nomination in 2015 for Best Foreign Language Film. Charles Gilbert and Vincent Maraval served as the producers on “Kings.”
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: IFC Films Picks up ‘Sweet Virginia,’ Oscilloscope Buys ‘Song of Granite’ and More
– Lionsgate has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the crime-thriller “Dragged Across Concrete” The film will be released by the...
– The Orchard has acquired the rights to “Kings,” the drama starring Halle Berry and Daniel Craig and directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Deadline reports. The film focuses on a foster family in South Central a few weeks before the city erupts in violence following the verdict of the Rodney King trial in 1992.
Ergüven previously directed “Mustang,” which received an Oscar nomination in 2015 for Best Foreign Language Film. Charles Gilbert and Vincent Maraval served as the producers on “Kings.”
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: IFC Films Picks up ‘Sweet Virginia,’ Oscilloscope Buys ‘Song of Granite’ and More
– Lionsgate has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the crime-thriller “Dragged Across Concrete” The film will be released by the...
- 5/19/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
The Tale Of Princess Kaguya Gkids Reviewed for Shockya by Harvey Karten. Data-based on Rotten Tomatoes. Grade: B+ Director: Isao Takahata Screenwriter: Isao Takahata Cast: Dubbed version: Chloë Grace Moretz, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Darren Criss, Lucy Liu, Beau Bridges, James Marsden, Oliver Platt, Dean Cain. Subtitled version: Aki Asakura, Kengo Kora, Takeo Chii, Nobuko Miyamoto, Atsuko Takahata, Tomoko Tabata, Tatekawa, Takaya Kamikawa, Hikaru Ijuin, Ryudo Uzaki, Nakamura Shichinosuke II, Isao Hashizume, Yukiji Asaoka, Tatsuya Nakadai Screened at: Review 2, NYC, 10/14/15 Opens: October 17, 2014 If your high school World History course was like mine, you spent a little time on Greece and Rome, another few weeks on medieval [ Read More ]
The post The Tale of Princess Kaguya Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post The Tale of Princess Kaguya Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 10/22/2014
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
A trailer has been released for Shinpei Hayashiya’s upcoming film Rakugo Story. As a filmmaker, Hayashiya is known for writing and directing the recent low-budget science fiction monster movies “The Deep-Sea Monster vs. the Battleship Yamato” and “Deep Sea Monster Raiga”, but he’s spent the majority of his career as a rakugo performer. His latest film is loosely based on his own experiences.
Story: After witnessing a rakugo performance, Masato (Wasabi Yanagiya) is inspired to become the apprentice of an established storyteller, Master Koroku Imadoya (Pierre Taki). Masato is given the name “Koharu” and is promoted to “zenza” (opening act performer). Koharu becomes extremely busy with his work as a zenza as well as with Master Koroku and his wife Aoi (Tomoko Tabata), but an unexpected incident soon thrusts him into the spotlight.
“Rakugo Story” was screened at the 3rd Old Town Taito International Comedy Film Festival on...
Story: After witnessing a rakugo performance, Masato (Wasabi Yanagiya) is inspired to become the apprentice of an established storyteller, Master Koroku Imadoya (Pierre Taki). Masato is given the name “Koharu” and is promoted to “zenza” (opening act performer). Koharu becomes extremely busy with his work as a zenza as well as with Master Koroku and his wife Aoi (Tomoko Tabata), but an unexpected incident soon thrusts him into the spotlight.
“Rakugo Story” was screened at the 3rd Old Town Taito International Comedy Film Festival on...
- 1/19/2011
- Nippon Cinema
Hitoma Iruma’s popular light novel Usotsuki Mii-kun to Kowareta Maa-chan is being turned into a live-action adaptation starring former fashion model Aya Oomasa. The original work has sold over 900,000 copies while pushing the boundaries of content usually found in light novels, which are usually read by young teens.
Oomasa, an up-and-coming young actress who recently garnered attention for her memorable starring role in the TBS drama “Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge”, will play Mayu Misono, aka Maa-chan. The challenging role will require her to drastically shift from grief to cheerfulness to extreme anger. Maa-chan was involved in an incredibly traumatic incident as a child which left her mentally scarred. Because of this, she’s capable of unpredictable cruelty, but also sometimes reverts to a child-like personality when she’s around Mii-kun (Shota Sometani), a childhood acquaintance.
The story takes place in a countryside town where two young siblings have recently disappeared.
Oomasa, an up-and-coming young actress who recently garnered attention for her memorable starring role in the TBS drama “Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge”, will play Mayu Misono, aka Maa-chan. The challenging role will require her to drastically shift from grief to cheerfulness to extreme anger. Maa-chan was involved in an incredibly traumatic incident as a child which left her mentally scarred. Because of this, she’s capable of unpredictable cruelty, but also sometimes reverts to a child-like personality when she’s around Mii-kun (Shota Sometani), a childhood acquaintance.
The story takes place in a countryside town where two young siblings have recently disappeared.
- 5/26/2010
- Nippon Cinema
Here’s the trailer for Sankaku, the latest film by director Keisuke Yoshida (Raw Summer, Cafe Isobe).
The film stars Sosuke Takaoka as 30-year-old Momose, a bit of a loser who’s currently living with his girlfriend Kayo (Tomoko Tabata). However, their relationship is far from loving, as they’ve recently fallen into a rut and have become slightly bored of one another.
One day, Kayo’s 15-year-old sister Momo (Erena Ono of AKB48) comes to stay with them during her summer vacation from junior high school. As soon as she moves in, Momose can’t seem to calm down around her, as Momo does things like walk around in her underwear or cutely whisper things in his ear. In spite of his relationship with 27-year-old Kayo, Momose finds himself charmed by the way-too-young Momo in a strange summer love triangle.
Nikkatsu will be releasing “Sankaku” in Japan on June 26, 2010.
Source: Official website via logboy,...
The film stars Sosuke Takaoka as 30-year-old Momose, a bit of a loser who’s currently living with his girlfriend Kayo (Tomoko Tabata). However, their relationship is far from loving, as they’ve recently fallen into a rut and have become slightly bored of one another.
One day, Kayo’s 15-year-old sister Momo (Erena Ono of AKB48) comes to stay with them during her summer vacation from junior high school. As soon as she moves in, Momose can’t seem to calm down around her, as Momo does things like walk around in her underwear or cutely whisper things in his ear. In spite of his relationship with 27-year-old Kayo, Momose finds himself charmed by the way-too-young Momo in a strange summer love triangle.
Nikkatsu will be releasing “Sankaku” in Japan on June 26, 2010.
Source: Official website via logboy,...
- 3/15/2010
- Nippon Cinema
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