As dusk fell on a warm Tokyo evening, comeback director Wim Wenders introduced the cast and crew of “Perfect Days” at an outdoor stage, giving the opening ceremony of the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival a moment of European cool.
Inside the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, Wenders was brought on stage twice more.
“I had a dream that with ‘Perfect Days,’ I’d make a film that would play at the Cannes Film Festival. I dreamed that it would win the best acting prize. I didn’t dare to dream that it would be Japan’s Oscar entry. But I did dream that it would be the opening film at the Tokyo festival and play in front of Japanese audiences,” said Wenders, getting into his stride. “And then I woke up. And yet here you are.”
Wenders, who must be nursing a bad case of jetlag, having only recently been honored...
Inside the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, Wenders was brought on stage twice more.
“I had a dream that with ‘Perfect Days,’ I’d make a film that would play at the Cannes Film Festival. I dreamed that it would win the best acting prize. I didn’t dare to dream that it would be Japan’s Oscar entry. But I did dream that it would be the opening film at the Tokyo festival and play in front of Japanese audiences,” said Wenders, getting into his stride. “And then I woke up. And yet here you are.”
Wenders, who must be nursing a bad case of jetlag, having only recently been honored...
- 10/23/2023
- by Patrick Frater and Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Zhang Yimou has had mixed fortunes recently. His latest release, 2018’s “Shadow” is generally recognised as his best film in years. Since its release though, he has had his Revolution-era set “One Second” pulled from Berlinale. Although “technical reasons” were cited, it would seem that the finished product ran afoul of the Chinese censors at the last minute and hasn’t been heard of since. Production on “Impasse”, a spy drama, had to be halted due to the coronavirus pandemic but has since resumed, delaying its production and eventual release. There is, however, good news too, as the third project he had in production, “Under The Light”, has just released a first trailer and is gearing up for a theatrical release later this year.
While no synopsis has been releases yet, what is known is that the film will wade uncharted territory for the veteran director, being an urban crime drama.
While no synopsis has been releases yet, what is known is that the film will wade uncharted territory for the veteran director, being an urban crime drama.
- 6/9/2020
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
John Woo is to direct a remake of action thriller Manhunt, based on a novel by Japanese writer Juko Nishimura, for Hong Kong-based Media Asia Films.
The novel, Kimi Yo Funnu No Kawa O Watare, was first adapted in 1976 as a Japanese film starring legendary actor Ken Takakura, who passed away last year. It was the first foreign film released in China after the Cultural Revolution.
The story follows a prosecutor who is framed for robbery and rape and sets out on a one-man mission to clear his name. Media Asia acquired the rights to the original novel from Japanese publisher Tokuma Shoten Publishing.
Woo has been a huge fan of Takakura since watching him in Yasuo Furuhata’s 1983 Station. In 2005, the Japanese actor worked with Chinese director Zhang Yimou, starring in Riding Alone For Thousands Of Miles.
“When I found out that John was a huge fan of the late Ken Takakura, I immediately...
The novel, Kimi Yo Funnu No Kawa O Watare, was first adapted in 1976 as a Japanese film starring legendary actor Ken Takakura, who passed away last year. It was the first foreign film released in China after the Cultural Revolution.
The story follows a prosecutor who is framed for robbery and rape and sets out on a one-man mission to clear his name. Media Asia acquired the rights to the original novel from Japanese publisher Tokuma Shoten Publishing.
Woo has been a huge fan of Takakura since watching him in Yasuo Furuhata’s 1983 Station. In 2005, the Japanese actor worked with Chinese director Zhang Yimou, starring in Riding Alone For Thousands Of Miles.
“When I found out that John was a huge fan of the late Ken Takakura, I immediately...
- 3/19/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
In November 2014 Japanese Cinema lost two of its greatest: Ken Takakura and Bunta Sugawara. Since both legendary actors have had a great impact on the world of Japanese film and have starred in countless classic productions, I felt the need to write a short article about the matter and salute these two great actors.
On the 10th of November 2014, Ken Takakura passed away at the age of 83. He was known as the “Japanese Clint Eastwood”. Starting his career in 1955, Takakura became mostly known for his portrayal of tough but disciplined gangsters in the 1960s and 1970s. Most famous of these films is his performance as gangster Shinichi Tachibana in the Abashiri Prison series (1965-1972). This lead to him eventually working together with Sydney Pollack for the film The Yakuza (1974), his first international production.
But it wasn’t until 1989 before Takakura became internationally known by playing alongside Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia...
On the 10th of November 2014, Ken Takakura passed away at the age of 83. He was known as the “Japanese Clint Eastwood”. Starting his career in 1955, Takakura became mostly known for his portrayal of tough but disciplined gangsters in the 1960s and 1970s. Most famous of these films is his performance as gangster Shinichi Tachibana in the Abashiri Prison series (1965-1972). This lead to him eventually working together with Sydney Pollack for the film The Yakuza (1974), his first international production.
But it wasn’t until 1989 before Takakura became internationally known by playing alongside Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia...
- 12/8/2014
- by Thor
- AsianMoviePulse
You can’t go wrong when screen legends Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao are in a picture together. You just can’t. Director Gao Xiaosong’s upcoming period actioner “My Kingdom” — which is penned by “Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles” scribe Zou Jingzhi — looks pretty damn cool, even if the aforementioned actors only have supporting roles. But why take my word for it? Take a few minutes out of you busy scheduled and spend some time gawking at the preview for a spiffy new kung fu movie. It might make your day that much brighter. Here’s what it’s all about: In the closing days of the 19th century, the Prince Regent of the crumbling Qing Dynasty orders the mass execution of the entire Meng clan. Before his beheading in a crowded Beijing marketplace, the Meng clan leader vows that his family will avenge this travesty of justice.
- 5/24/2011
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
As the release date is approaching near, more promotional material to Alan Mak & Felix Chong's biographical martial arts film The Lost Bladesman has turned up via Mtime in the form of a music video and a behind-the-scenes video. The theme song, performed by Tan Jing is entitled "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles" (千里走单骑).During the warring period of the three kingdoms, ancient China is in turmoil. To unify the country general Cao Cao, the real power behind the emperor, enlists the aid of the greatest warrior in the land Guan Yun Chang (Donnie Yen). However, Guan Yun Chang is a loyal friend of Cao Cao's enemy Liu Bei. To persuade the peerless warrior to fight, Cao Cao takes his beloved Qi Lan (Sun Li)...
- 3/26/2011
- Screen Anarchy
Robert here, with another entry in my series about great contemporary directors.
Maestro: Zhang Yimou
Known For: films about the lives of women in China and more recently wuxia epics.
Influences: American Noir, Chinese fantasy and mythology
Masterpieces: Raise the Red Lantern
Disasters: none
Better than you remember: If you're among those who think his recent films aren't as good as his older ones, you might be right, but if you think they're bad, then I'd say they fall into this category.
Box Office: 53 mil for Hero
Favorite Actor: the beautiful, ravishing, talented Gong Li
It's entirely possible that Zhang Yimou's greatest achievement of the past ten years had nothing to do with film. He garnered his largest audience and highest place on the world stage for directing the Opening Ceremonies to the Olympic Games. Those who saw the spectacle were blown away by the beauty and artistry. Those who...
Maestro: Zhang Yimou
Known For: films about the lives of women in China and more recently wuxia epics.
Influences: American Noir, Chinese fantasy and mythology
Masterpieces: Raise the Red Lantern
Disasters: none
Better than you remember: If you're among those who think his recent films aren't as good as his older ones, you might be right, but if you think they're bad, then I'd say they fall into this category.
Box Office: 53 mil for Hero
Favorite Actor: the beautiful, ravishing, talented Gong Li
It's entirely possible that Zhang Yimou's greatest achievement of the past ten years had nothing to do with film. He garnered his largest audience and highest place on the world stage for directing the Opening Ceremonies to the Olympic Games. Those who saw the spectacle were blown away by the beauty and artistry. Those who...
- 9/10/2010
- by Robert
- FilmExperience
After the big budget bombast of Hero, The House Of Flying Daggers and Curse of the Golden Flower it would appear that Zhang Yimou is well and truly back to being himself. And when being yourself means being the director of some of the most sensitive and compelling relationship dramas of your generation, well, that's a pretty good thing to be.
Yes, Yimou had one more typical film - the excellent Riding Alone For Thousands of Miles - tucked in the midst of his big budget trio but he's lived a rather odd life since, first coordinating the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics and then making a sort of Chinese opera inspired remake of the Coen Brothers' Blood Simple.
In that context it's hard not to see The Love Of The Hawthorn Tree as a deliberate return to roots, both in style and in roots, with the film being...
Yes, Yimou had one more typical film - the excellent Riding Alone For Thousands of Miles - tucked in the midst of his big budget trio but he's lived a rather odd life since, first coordinating the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics and then making a sort of Chinese opera inspired remake of the Coen Brothers' Blood Simple.
In that context it's hard not to see The Love Of The Hawthorn Tree as a deliberate return to roots, both in style and in roots, with the film being...
- 8/25/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Sony Pictures Classics co-presidents Tom Bernard and Michael Barker will be the recipients of The Hollywood Reporter's inaugural Indie Mogul Award, to be presented next month at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City.
The award was created to recognize the continued growth of the independent film arena and to celebrate the achievements of prominent executives with a reputation for producing and releasing quality indie features.
Bernard and Barker, 25-year veterans of the indie sector, have built a reputation in the industry as the chief purveyors of high-profile films and enjoy ongoing relationships with some of cinema's most respected auteurs.
This year, the executives have backed an eclectic slate that includes such critically acclaimed pictures as Germany's The Lives of Others, China's Curse of the Golden Flower and Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles and Spain's Volver, and they continue to prove that, with the right business model, there's money to be made on foreign-language product.
The award was created to recognize the continued growth of the independent film arena and to celebrate the achievements of prominent executives with a reputation for producing and releasing quality indie features.
Bernard and Barker, 25-year veterans of the indie sector, have built a reputation in the industry as the chief purveyors of high-profile films and enjoy ongoing relationships with some of cinema's most respected auteurs.
This year, the executives have backed an eclectic slate that includes such critically acclaimed pictures as Germany's The Lives of Others, China's Curse of the Golden Flower and Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles and Spain's Volver, and they continue to prove that, with the right business model, there's money to be made on foreign-language product.
- 12/17/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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