KAIJI (Drama)
Taking over US$21 million at the local box office, this live-action pic following the exploits of a down-and-out gambler brings to life Nobuyuki Fukumoto’s best-selling gambling manga.
Ito Kaiji (Tatsuya Fujiwara) is a deadbeat job hopper who leads a hand to mouth existence. Whilst working part time in the local convenience store, he receives a visit from Rinko Endo (Yuki Amami). President of an unscrupulous loan outfit, she demands he settle a debt guaranteed for a friend. With an exorbitant interest rate, he owes over 2 million Yen – an inconceivable sum for Kaiji.
The enigmatic Endo has a proposal for the desperate young man. Not only can he clear his debt, but possibly net more cash. The stakes, however, are high. If he wins, the outstanding balance will be written off. If he loses, it could cost him his life....
Cast: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Yuki Amami, Teruyuki Kagawa
Director: Toya Sato
Duration: 129min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English only
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
The Laughing Policeman (Drama)
Returning to the director’s chair after an eleven year absence, Haruki Kadokawa’s gritty, intelligent crime thriller cuts to the flesh as it depicts the struggles of a police department endemic with renegade cops.
A policewoman is found strangled in an apartment used by the force’s top brass. The investigation is kept under wraps, however ex-boyfriend Officer Tsukui (Hiroyuki Miyasako) appears to be prime suspect. Shortly due to give evidence in a police corruption case, an unprecedented shoot to kill order is placed on the young man.
With doubts on how the murder inquiry is being handled, Tsukui’s former partner, Sergeant Koichi Saeki (Nao Omori) initiates a covert investigation with a group of trusted colleagues. However, as they delve deeper into the case, they find themselves stepping into the dark shadows that lie inside the Hokkaido Police Department....
Cast: Nao Omori, Yasuko Matsuyuki, Hiroyuki Miyasako
Director: Haruki Kadokawa
Duration: 123min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Villon' s Wife (Drama, Romance)
Award:
2009 Montreal Film Festival- Best Director Award
2009 marks the centenary of the birth of Japanese novelist Osamu Dazai. Through changing times, his fiction has never lost its appeal and his classic short story Villon’s Wife, known for its brilliant portrayal of a woman looking to the future, is brought to the big screen.
Life is hard in Tokyo after World War II. In order to keep her prodigal husband Otani (Tadanobu Asano) out of prison, Sachi (Takako Matsu) offers to repay his debt by working at the restaurant of his debtors. She starts to enjoy her newfound independence and popularity as her beauty and lively spirit fill the restaurant with customers. Otani, meanwhile, dispirited, drunk and constantly unfaithful, falls ever deeper into financial problems and depression. Will Sachi remain loyal and cheerful through the challenges in her marriage?
Villon’s Wife is a beautiful portrayal of the strength and perseverance of Japanese women in the difficult circumstances of post-war society.
Cast: Tadanobu Asano, Takako Matsu
Director: Kichitaro Negishi
Duration: 114min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English/ English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
BALLAD (Drama)
1574 – Power Struggles in Feudal Japan
There once lived a samurai in the small kingdom of Kasuga that was untouchable in battle. His name was Matabei Ijiri (Tsuyoshi Kusanagi). The fearsome “Demon Ijiri” pledged his life to protecting the kingdom and its beautiful princess Ren (Yui Aragaki). Despite deep feelings for one another, the princess and the warrior could never transcend their respective roles as master and subject.
Then one day, the untouchable Matabei has a close call. In the very instant an enemy foot soldier’s bullet would have brought Matabei down, a miracle occurs. A young boy appears out of nowhere and gives the foot soldier a start, throwing him off target and saving Matabei’s life. The boy’s name is Shinichi Kawakami (Sho Takei) and he claims to have slipped back in time from the future. The incredulous Matabei decides to take the boy back to Kasuga Castle to ask his Lord Yasuzuna (Atsuo Nakamura) how to deal with him. At the castle, Shinichi meets Lord Yasuzuna and Princess Ren, and much to his surprise, he recognizes Ren from a recurring dream from the future. When Princess Ren hears of Shinichi’s prophetic dream, she orders Matabei to look after him. Although reluctant at first, Matabei slowly opens up to the earnest Shinichi, and the two begin to form an unlikely friendship.
Then one day, Lord Takatora Okurai (Takao Osawa) pays a visit to Kasuga Castle, asking for the beautiful Princess Ren’s hand in marriage. It’s an opportunity for the small kingdom of Kasuga to ally itself with the powerful Takatora and ensure its own safety. Despite their love for each other, Princess Ren and Matabei must bury their feelings and acquiesce to the political marriage.
Cast : Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Yui Aragaki
Director: Takashi Yamazaki
Duration: 133min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
The Hovering Blade (Drama)
Film Festival:
2009 Montreal Film Festival
Based on Keigo Higashino’s bestseller with sales of over one million copies, The Hovering Blade is a polished, edgy police drama that takes an unsparing look at Japan’s Juvenile Law and its impact on the victims of juvenile crime.
Two youths commit a series of vicious rapes. However, Japan’s “Juvenile Law” protects them.
Widower Hideki Nagamine (Akira Terao) is in the depths of despair when he receives an anonymous phone call informing him of the two teenagers who killed his beloved daughter. Knowing full well that vengeance is an empty act solving nothing, he nonetheless sets out after the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, detectives Oribe (Yutaka Takenouchi) and Mano (Shiro Ito) are in pursuit of Nagamine. They know his anguish will never end and the underage assailants will never receive a sentence appropriate to their crime. However, as police officers with a fundamental duty to uphold the law, they find themselves caught between an ideal of justice and the reality of everyday police work.
Cast: Akira Terao, Yutaka Takenouchi, Shiro Ito
Director: Shoichi Mashiko
Category: PG-13
Duration: 113min, Theatrical
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English/ English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Raise The Castle! (Drama)
In Sanage, a small town of rural Japan, two factions are at a stand-off: rebuilding an ancient castle to attract tourists, or constructing a large factory to create jobs. In midst of this quarrel, the spirits of three samurai, take over the bodies of the unfortunate stodgy civil servant Ishizaki, the carpenter Kansuke and the homeless Gon. They call themselves Ondaiji Hayatonosuke, Kantessai and Gontaifu. Ondaiji, claiming to be the lord who once ruled Sanage over 400 years ago, order the townspeople to “raise a castle”, an attempt he could not realize back in his time.
With the help from a local history professor, Iwate, and an architecture student, Natsuki who also is the daughter of Kansuke, the somewhat perplexed townspeople come together to build this castle, to everyone’s surprise, from a material that is available, cardboard…
Meanwhile the Mayor of Sanage, an advocate for constructing a factory in the castle building site, has plans to destroy this frenzy of castle making. With the castle near completion, the medieval lord and modern mayor face off.
What will happen to the castle and its townspeople!?
Cast: Ainosuke Kataoka, Hana Ebise, Toru Emori
Director: Yo Kohatsu
Duration: 115min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Hula Girls (Drama)
Nominated in twelve categories at the 2007 Japan Academy Awards and going on to win five, this critically acclaimed, feel-good movie follows the true story of how a small community saves their village from economic despair through the introduction of hula dancing!
It’s 1965, and in Japan, the country has started to replace coal with oil as its main source of energy. One by one, the old mining towns begin their slow decline, but for one small settlement way up north, its residents have an idea. They will build Japan’s first Hawaiian Village in an effort to boost their fading economy. But what use is a Hawaiian Village if it does not have hula dancers? The search is on ... but not only do the locals not know how to do the hula, they don’t even know what the hula is!
Cast: Yasuko Matsuyuki, Etsushi Toyokawa, Yu Aoi, Shizuyo Yamazaki, Ittoku Kishibe, Sumiko Fuji
Director: Lee Sang-il
Duration: 110 mins, Theatrical
Category: PG
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English/ English only
Territory: Worldwide ex. Japan & Korea
Amalfi (Drama)
Japan Box office: Over USD30,000,000
Shot entirely on location in Italy, Amalfi brings together an amazing all-star cast in a landmark thriller on a scale never seen before in Japanese cinema. It was specially made to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Japan’s leading creator of television and film entertainment: Fuji Television Network.
It’s the festive season in Rome and the streets are lined with Christmas decorations. However, all is not peaceful – the Italian government receives intelligence on a potential terrorist attack.
Japanese diplomat Kuroda (Yuji Oda) is sent to Rome to ensure the safety of his fellow citizens in the Italian capital. A young Japanese girl goes missing. Is she the victim of an ordinary kidnapping, or could it be a prelude to the terrorist plot? The actions of Italian authorities seems to have little effect in locating the girl. Assigned as an interpreter in the investigation, Kuroda joins forces with the girl’s mother Saeko (Yuki Amami) to uncover the truth behind the child’s disappearance.
Cast: Yuji Oda, Yuki Amami, Eriko Toda, Koichi Sato
Director: Hiroshi Nishitani
Duration: 125min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese & English / English
Territory: Worldwide exclude Japanese, European, Australian and Israeli territories
ROOKIES (Drama)
Japan Box office: Over USD87,000,000
A fired-up high-school teacher who teaches his baseball team the importance of having a dream, and the students he leads, burning with this dream of a national championship.
A group of modern young people: they have no hope for the future, and no idea of what they want to do. ‘The world is full of hope,’ a new teacher shouts at them. ‘Don’t make fun of people who have dreams.’ He is Koichi Kawato, and he is afire with hope.
The baseball club at Futakotamagawa High School is under suspension after a fight broke out during one of its games. Betrayed by the teachers, their coach taken away from them, the team members now run up against Mr Kawato, for whom dreams are more important than anything else, and who is ready to risk even his career for the sake of his players, in whom the dream of a national championship still burns.
The TV drama follows this devoted teacher trying to reform a team of misfit youths, charting their spiritual growth as this uncoordinated group of problem teens claws its way forward.
The movie finds the 2nd-year players now in their final year, with newcomers joining the team. Overcoming problems with the new players, and an injury to their captain, with Mr Kawato they move into the semifinal tournament that leads to their final chance at a national championship. Will the dreams of the Futakotamagawa baseball team come true? Meanwhile, graduation day draws near.
Cast: Ryuta Sato, Hayato Ichihara, Keisuke Koide
Director: Yuichiro Hirakawa
Duration: 138min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese & English / English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
The Vulture (Drama)
Based on the critically acclaimed, prize-winning television series, The Vulture offers a fascinating insight into the complex manoeuvres in the world of corporate acquisitions, as two high-profile fund managers go head to head in a high stakes battle.
Fed up with the closed market of Japan, Masahiko Washizu (Nao Omori) chooses to live abroad. On visiting the trader, friend Takeo Shibano (Kyohei Shibata), reveals a suspicion of a hostile takeover of his employer, Japanese auto maker Akama Motors. Fearing acquisition by a foreign fund, he asks Washizu to help save the company.
Meanwhile, Washizu’s arch rival ‘Red Vulture’ Ryu (Tetsuji Tamayama) is hired to lead a Chinese mega fund’s intended takeover of the prestigious car company. With Ryu once Washizu’s subordinate, the battle is personal. Riding an economic tidal wave fuelled by money and greed, the two ‘vultures’ face off in the greatest battle of their careers. What will become of them – and Japan – in the aftermath?
Cast: Nao Omori, Tetsuji Tamayama, Ryuhei Matsuda
Director: Keishi Otomo
Category: PG-13
Duration: 135min, Theatrical
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English/English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
April Bride (Romance)
Film Festivals:
2009 Hong Kong Film Market
2009 Cannes Film Festival
2009 Japan Box office: Over USD 28,500,000
Taking over US$4.2 million in its first week of release, this emotionally charged drama is based upon the true story of Chie Nagashima, a young woman who conceals a devastating illness from her future husband.
Speaking at a corporate event, Chie (Nana Eikura) ends up in the wrong auditorium. There, she encounters young salaryman, Taro (Eita).
Their attraction is mutual and romance ensues. Taro is soon talking marriage, however Chie is hiding something: she has been diagnosed with cancer and must undergo treatment.
Suffering the harsh side effects of chemotherapy, she decides to end the relationship and moves away. Determined to be with the woman he loves, Taro soon locates her, and each makes a promise to remain devoted through difficult times.
Re-united, the future is looking rosy. However, the disease returns and as she once again falls ill, Taro, friends and family secretly plan the most magnificent of weddings…
Cast: Nana Eikura, Eita
Director: Ryuichi Hiroki
Duration: 129 min, Theatrical
Category: PG - 13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English / English
Territory: Worldwide ex. Japan
Rescue Wings (Drama)
Based on a highly popular Japanese anime, this live-action production follows the intense and challenging missions undertaken by brave individuals serving in Japan’s air rescue service.
Twenty three year old Haruka Kawashima (Yuko Takayama) has eventually realised her dream of becoming a helicopter pilot. The first female assigned to the Komatsu Rescue Squad of the Air Self-Defense Force, she has become the nation’s centre of attention.
With a tough training regime and harsh discipline, Haruka and her colleagues struggle to overcome the daily pressures of the job, however teamwork and friendship keep the squad together during difficult times.
Haruka’s courage and determination is truly put to the test when she is sent to locate fighter pilot Yokosuka (Ken Kaneko), missing whilst on a dangerous assignment. With time running out, his only hope of survival is now in her hands…
Cast: Yuko Takayama, Dai Watanabe
Director: Masaaki Tezuka
Duration: 108min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Nobody to Watch over Me (Drama)
Award:
2008 Montreal World Film Festival- Best Screenplay award
In the skillfully directed Nobody to Watch over Me, a shocking crime brings together a frightened girl and battle-hardened cop in this dark, edgy drama from writer /director Ryoichi Kimizuka.
When two children are found murdered, an eighteen-year-old high school student becomes prime suspect and the case quickly becomes a media sensation. Veteran police detective Takumi Katsuura (Koichi Sato) is instructed to protect Saori (Mirai Shida), fifteen year old sister of the accused.
As the relentless onslaught of the paparazzi takes hold, Takumi takes the girl to a remote country town - only to discover nowhere is safe from the prying eyes of the tabloid press…
Cast: Koichi Sato, Mirai Shida
Director: Ryoichi Kimizuka
Duration: 118min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Penguins in the Sky - Asahiyama Zoo (Drama)
Film Festival:
2008 Tokyo International Film Festival- Special Screening
Based on a true event, this long-awaited production tells the dramatic story of Asahiyama Zoo, which after developing innovative, behavioural based exhibitions, established the facility as one of the world’s most progressive zoos.
Struggling Asahiyama Zoo welcomes new keeper Yoshida (Yasuhi Nakamura), who after years of bullying at school has more affection for animals than people. He soon learns that the facility is facing a deep financial crisis and zoo director Takizawa (Toshiyuki Nishida) is fighting to save it from closure.
Moved by Takizawa’s passion, Yoshida and his fellow keepers set out on the seemingly impossible task of revitalising Asahiyama. Heated debates are exchanged day and night, however the employees eventually agree on a shared vision. Aspiring to house animals in natural, challenging habitats, the dedicated group rises to the challenge of transforming the ailing zoo….
Cast: Toshiyuki Nishida, Yasuhi Nakamura, Ai Maeda, Keiko Horiuchi
Director: Masahiko Tsugawa
Duration: 112min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Suspect X (Detective Drama)
Film Festival:
2008 American Film Market
Based on Keigo Higashino’s bestseller and a highly popular television series, the big-budget crimer Suspect X has claimed top spot at the local box office and sees two of Japan’s hottest talents reprise their television roles on the big screen.
The body of a male has been found, his fingers suffering appalling injury. Assigned to the case are local precinct detectives, Kaoru Utsumi (Kou Shibasaki) and Shunpei Kusanagi (Kazuki Kitamura). As they commence investigations, it soon becomes clear that it will take a genius to catch a genius and they draft in physicist Manabu Yukawa (Masaharu Fukuyama) to assist in the case. But as enquiries progress, elaborate bluffs, false testimonials and loopholes suddenly start to appear …
Cast: Masaharu Fukuyama, Kou Shibasaki, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Yasuko Matsuyuki
Director: Hiroshi Nishitani
Category: PG-13
Duration: 126min, Theatrical
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
The Homeless Student (Drama)
Film Festival:
2008 Tokyo International Film Festival
Based on the best-selling memories of comic Hiroshi Tamura, The Homeless Student depicts a young boy’s adolescent life as it is suddenly plunged into despair by the actions of his debt ridden father.
On his last day of school before summer vacation, Hiroshi (Teppei Koike) is thinking about plans for the summer holidays. He’s just been invited on his first date and life is really looking up.
As he arrives home, he finds the family furniture lined up outside the door and his home under a seizure notice. Dumbstruck, he’s joined by his brother and sister in front of the yellow tape. Father Ichiro (Issey Ogata) soon turns up and after a dispassionate speech, abandons his children.
Claiming he can look after himself, Hiroshi runs off with a handful of coins and little belongings. Ending up at the local park, he curls up in a children’s slide, his challenging lifestyle about to begin…..
Cast: Teppei Koike, Akihiro Nishino, Chizuru Ikewaki
Director: Tomoyuki Furumaya
Category: PG-13
Duration: 117min, Theatrical
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Tokyo Sonata (Drama)
Film Festivals:
2008 Cannes Film Festival
2008 Sydney Film Festival
2008 Osian’s Cinefan Film Festival
2008 Jerusalem International Film Festival
2008 Toronto International Film Festival
2008 Vladivostok - Pacific Meridian
2008 Helsinki International Film Festival
2008 San Sebastian Film Festival
2008 Bangkok International Film Festival
2008 Hamburg International Film Festival
2008 Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival
2008 New York Film Festival
2008 Festival du nouveau cinema – Montreal
2008 Antalya International Film Festival
2008 Asia Film Festival (Hong Kong)
2008 Chicago International Film Festival
2008 Sao Paulo International Film Festival
2008 Carthage Film Festival
2008 Asia Filmfest (Germany)
2008 Damascus International Film Festival
Awards:
2008 Cannes Film Festival- Un Certain Regard Jury Prize
2008 Osian’s Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema- Best Film
In a major departure for Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, the delightful Tokyo Sonata is a startlingly rich, humorous and powerful drama which gained international recognition by picking up the Jury Prize - Un Certain Regard at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.
Salaryman Ryuhei Sasaki (Teruyuki Kagawa) is the principal breadwinner of a seemingly happy Tokyo family, supporting his teenage sons Takashi (Yu Koyanagi) and Kenji (Kai Inowaki) and wife Megumi (Kyoko Koizumi). But what Megumi and her children don't know is that Ryuhei has lost his job and weaves an intricate web of lies to keep conceal the truth. As his tries to maintain a normal routine, it becomes clear that his family have tragically lost touch with one another. When son Kenji asks for money to take piano lessons, the simple request tips the family over the precipice and an unforeseeable chasm appears, only to spread ever so quietly, disintegrating the household.
Cast: Teruyuki Kagawa, Kyoko Koizumi, Koji Yakusho
Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Duration: 119min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
The Glorious Team Batista (Drama)
Based on Takeru Kaido’s best-selling novel, this gripping medical drama revolves around a group of distinguished surgeons whose success on the operating table leads them to become known as The Glorious Team Batista!
On the staff of Tojo University Hospital is charismatic heart surgeon, Kyoichi Kiryu (Koji Kikkawa), the principal force around which an elite team of specialists have gathered. Ever since Kiryu took up his post, his team have had unrivalled success in the innovative but high risk Batista procedure. Their achievements have catapulted them to global fame. And then suddenly, it all begins to fall apart.
Three successive operations end inexplicably in failure. Kiryu and his staff claim that the operations were conducted in the same flawless way as always. The gravity of the situation prompts the launch of an investigation. Doctor Kumiko Taguchi (Yuko Takeuchi) and Health Ministry official Keisuke Shiratori (Hiroshi Abe) are assigned to the case. Together, they examine the circumstances behind the loss of life. Is it a case of malpractice? Or perhaps even homicide? The secrets of the Glorious Team Batista are about to be laid bare…..
Cast: Yuko Takeuchi, Hiroshi Abe
Director: Yoshihiro Nakamura
Duration: 118 min, Theatrical
Category: PG - 13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English / English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
A Tale of Mari and Three Puppies (Family Drama)
Inspired by a true account of canine heroism, A Tale of Mari and Three Puppies is a touching story of love and resilience, which became a symbol of hope for the people of Yamakoshi in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of 2004.
In the village of Yamakoshi, a dog named Mari gives birth to three puppies, much to the joy of its owners Ryota (Ryohei Hirota) and Aya (Mao Sasaki).
A major earthquake hits the area and entire sections of the village are reduced to rubble. Away from home, Ryota and his father Yuichi (Eiichiro Funakoshi) are spared from injury, however Aya and grandfather Yuzo (Ken Utsui) are trapped in their collapsed house. As the two drift in and out of consciousness, the silence is broken by Mari who desperately tries to pull her owners from the rubble.
A rescue team eventually arrives at the scene, however Mari and her puppies are left behind. Without food or shelter, she desperately tries to protect her offspring from danger in the now deserted village…
Cast: Eiichiro Funakoshi, Akiko Matsumoto, Ryohei Hirota, Mao Sasaki
Director: Ryuichi Inomata
Duration: 118 min, Edited
Category: PG - 13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English / English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Hidden Fortress, The Last Princess (Drama)
Film Festival:
2008 Cannes Film Festival (Market)
In an action-packed remake of Akira Kurasawa’s 1958 feature, director Shinji Higuchi’s Hidden Fortress, The Last Princess has the makings of an international blockbuster hit!
Takezo (Jun Matsumoto) is a man who has no respect for Japan’s noble families or the samurai who protect them. In an ironic twist of fate, he is joined by Princess Yuki, heir to the Akizuki Clan (Masami Nagasawa), her samurai bodyguard (Hiroshi Abe) and fellow peasant conspirator Shinpachi (Daisuke Miyagawa) as they attempt to smuggle the defeated Akizuki kingdom’s wealth across enemy lines.
Cast: Jun Matsumoto, Hiroshi Abe, Masami Nagasawa, Daisuke Miyagawa
Director: Shinji Higuchi
Duration: 118 min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English / English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Flowers in the Shadow (Drama)
Labelled as one of the most promising directors in today’s film industry, Yuichiro Hirakawa brings together a stellar ensemble cast in this intricately crafted story, harmonising humour and emotion with a sensitive visual touch.
It’s summer in Japan and a typhoon is heading towards Toyko. Home to some troubled souls, our characters strive to keep their lives together. There’s helpless fellow Shinya Sawatari (Junichi Okada), mired in debt from a gambling habit. The young and attractive Hisako (Aoi Miyazaki), in search of her mother’s long-lost love. TV idol Mya-ko (Aya Hirayama), who’s on the verge of being fired. And wealthy businessman Ryutaro (Tomokazu Miura), whose admiration for homeless man Moses (Toshiyuki Nishida) takes him on a voyage of self discovery.
Led by mysterious turns of fate, their seemingly unrelated lives gradually start to entwine ….weaving a dramatic, emotional and exquisitely told tale.
Cast: Junichi Okada, Aoi Miyazaki, Itō Atsushi, Aya Hirayama, Takashi Tsukamoto, Tomokazu Miura, Toshiyuki Nishida
Director: Yuichiro Hirakawa
Duration: 115min, Theatrical
Category: PG - 13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English / English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Yomigaeri: Recurrection (Drama)
Nominations:
2004 Award of the Japanese Academy- Best Director/Best Actress/Best Screenplay/Best Music Score
Film Festivals:
2003 Cannes Film Festival
2003 American Film Festival
2003 Japan Box office:
Ranked No.4 by collecting total USD30 million in Japan box office
Taking home the Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Music Score awards from the Japan Academy, this touching story went on to earn more than US$30 million at the local box office alone.
Heida Kawada (Tsuyoshi Kusanagi) returns to his home town of Aso where a strange phenomenon seems to be taking place. Beginning with a little boy who died many years previous, the deceased appear to be coming back to life and emerging to those they left behind. Bizarrely none of them have aged, returning exactly as they were on the day they left this world.
As Heida puzzles over the bizarre occurrences, he meets Aoi (Yuko Takeuchi), a previous girlfriend whom he still loves. Aoi’s feelings for Heita appear to have long gone and she now struggles with the death of her boyfriend. As loved ones continue to return, she too wishes that this miracle may be bestowed upon her … and Heida must watch from afar.
Director: Akihiko Shiota
Starring: Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Yuko Takeuchi
Duration: 118 min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Tsubaki Sanjuro 2007 (Drama)
In a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1962 classic Sanjuro, a group of idealistic young men, determined to clean up corruption, are aided by a scruffy, cynical samurai who does not fit their concept of a noble warrior.
Eighteenth century Japan. Weary of corruption, nine young revolutionary samurai send a document to the Chief Retainer, Mutsuda (Makoto Fujita), detailing their plan to clean up the wrongdoing of the clan. Mutsuda, uncle of Isaka (Ken'ichi Matsuyama), one of the idealistic young men, immediately dismisses the claim, tearing up the document before their eyes.
Disappointed, Isaka solicits the aid of Chief Inspector Kukui (Tokuma Nishioka) who meets with the youngsters. But Kikui proves not to be their saviour but a most dreadful enemy and quickly orders his troops to surround the building. Overhearing the conversation is Sanjuro (Yuji Oda) – an unkempt samurai who takes on the soldiers whilst the young men escape.
With a deep commitment to justice and honour, Sanjuro joins the rebellious group in their quest to overthrow the ruling elite. But just as they make plans, the Chief Retainer is kidnapped and it is Sanjuro who must face off with a ferocious enemy.
Cast: Yuji Oda, Ken'ichi Matsuyama, Tokuma Nishioka, Makoto Fujita
Director: Yoshimitsu Morita
Duration: 117 min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Closed Note (Drama)
While training to be a teacher, university student Kae (Erika Sawajiri) finds an old diary left in her home by a previous tenant. However, between her studies, mandolin practice and a part time job at a local fountain pen store, she’s so busy that the unusual find slips her mind.
Whilst working in the shop, Kae meets a handsome illustrator, Mr Itoshibi (Yusuke Iseya) and her admiration for him quickly turns to love. Rediscovering the forgotten diary, Kae leafs through the worn pages to find a single photograph - the diary’s author, Ibuki Sensai (Yuko Takeuchi) surrounded by her class of elementary students. Dreaming of becoming a teacher herself, Kae cannot help but read the personal words of this stranger.
As her romance with Mr Ishitobi develops, her life curiously begins to fall into sync with that of Ibuki’s …. but fate has in store a bitter-sweet truth indeed…
Cast: Erika Sawajiri, Yusuke Iseya, Yuko Takeuchi
Director: Isao Yukisada
Duration: 117 min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English / English
Territory: Worldwide (ex Japan)
Christmas on July 24th Avenue (Fantasy Drama)
Sayuri is a homely girl who works in an office in Nagasaki. She yearns for a dream man to take her to July 24th Avenue in Lisbon, Portugal. Suddenly, her world is turned upside down when she runs into Satoshi, a fellow high school student on whom she had a crush many years ago. The two become lovers and as Christmas draws nearer, Sayuri questions if this is the time of her life she has been patiently waiting for?
Cast: Miki Nakatani, Takao Osawa
Director: Shosuke Murakami
Duration: 109 mins, Theatrical
Category: PG
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese & English / English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Life - Tears In Heaven (Family Drama)
Based on a true story, this heartwarming production follows the life of Natuske Iijima and his quest to become Japan’s first world-ranking professional windsurfer.
Young and carefree, Natsuke (Takao Osawa) travels the world competing in international competitions. With unconditional support from his wife, his reputation grows and he quickly climbs to the top of his field. Blessed with 4 children, he moves his family to tropical Hawaii where the Pacific Ocean proves to be his ideal training ground. But this idyllic existence is about to be cut short and Natsuke must face the realities that life brings. Can his loving family and loyal fans support him as faces the toughest of challenges?
Cast: Takao Osawa, Misaki Itowu, Miki Maya, Yoshihiko Hakamada
Director: Takehiko Shinjo
Duration: 117 min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English / English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Say Hello For Me (Drama)
Orphaned at a young age, Karin (Masami Nagasawa) is taken in by the Toyama family. Together with their son Satoshi (Takayuki Yamada), she grows up in a loving environment spending her days playing with her adopted brother and their good friend Yuji.
As the years pass and the children become adults, Karin leaves the Toyama household to pursue a career as a fashion model. Meanwhile, Satoshi stays in his small town and opens Trash, an aquatic plant shop.
A few years later, a glamorous woman turns up in Satoshi’s store. Supermodel Karen has returned to her home town and Satoshi’s once brotherly feelings have turned to love. Wishing to rekindle their childhood friendships, the pair set off to find Yuji. But their dream of reliving the happy days of their past takes a tragic turn…
Cast: Masami Nagasawa, Takayuki Yamada
Director: Yuichiro Hirakawa
Duration: 114 mins, Theatrical
Category: PG
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Bizan - The Mountain of Mother's Love (Family Drama)
On hearing the news of her mother Tatsuko’s (Nobuko Miyamoto) illness, daughter Sakiko (Nanako Matsushima) returns to her home town, the historic city of Tokushima.
The ailing Tatsuko has a secret, and whilst in hospital reveals details of her past, a long lost lover called Terasaw. Although deeply in love, Terasaw was married leaving the young Tatsuko to live alone with their newborn daughter. Now, as she weakens from her illness, Tatsuko gives her daughter a box of old letters. Reading the passionate words, Sakiko is deeply moved by this man’s love for her mother and sets out to find the father she thought had died….
Cast: Nanako Matsushima, Takao Osawa, Nobuko Miyamoto
Director: Isshin Inudo
Duration: 116 mins, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese and English / English
Territory: Worldwide (ex. Japan)
Crying Out Love, In The Center of The World (Romance)
Based on the Japanese best-seller, with sales of over 1.8 million copies since it was published, this movie reveals a young man’s passion after the death of his first love, and the uneasiness of his soul as he lives on in a world without her.
After seventeen years, Sakutaro still struggles with the memory of his first girlfriend, Aki. Not telling anyone where is going, he travels to a small town where they had experienced love. A photo studio, Aki dressed as a bride, the distant memories are all so vivid. Ritsuko, his current girlfriend, worries desperately about his sudden disappearance. Finally tracing him, can she help turn his feelings of sadness to joy?
Cast: Takao Osawa, Kou Shibasaki
Director : Isao Yukisada
Duration: 118 min, Edited
Category: PG
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese / English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Rough (Romantic Drama)
Ami Ninomiya (Masami Nagasawa), a high diver and Keisuke Yamamoto (Mokomichi Hayami) a champion swimmer are students in the same high school. Their families, who run Japanese-style confectionery stores, have been business rivals for generations. As a result, Ami and Keisuke are hostile to each other. But as their passion for swimming grows, their unfriendly feelings melt away and romance ensues. For Ami, life is complicated. She is engaged to Keisuke’s hero, Hiroki Nakanishi, the All-Japan Freestyle Champion. This years’ championship is looming and the boys consider each other rivals in the pool ... and now also for Ami’s heart!
Cast: Masami Nagasawa, Mokomichi Hayami
Director: Kentaro Otani
Duration: 105 mins, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese & English / English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Trick 2 (Drama)
After the success of Trick four years ago, director Yukihiko Tsutsumi returns to the big screen in 2006 with Trick 2. Adapted from a highly popular Japanese television programme, this eccentric comedy features a young woman who suddenly goes missing. In trying to locate her, her boyfriend seeks help from Professor Ueda. There are few clues to her whereabouts but through supernatural powers, they are mysteriously drawn to a small and remote island. Are they on a wild goose chase? Or will this mystic energy help them locate their absent friend.
Cast: Yukie Nakama, Hiroshi Abe, Katsuhisa Namase
Director: Yukihiko Tsutsumi
Duration: 109 mins, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese & English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Star Reformers (Drama)
Starring Uji Oda, Star Reformers landed the top spot at the local box office in its debut week, going on to gross over JPY1.2 billion in just 17 days!
Satoshi Nomura is a young, smart and promising official of a prefecture office. Proud, motivated, full of hope and vigor, he proves himself to be an able man. Contrary to his expectations, his company sends him to be a trainee at a small supermarket. Suffering from a slump in sales, the test is to turn it around. Can Satoshi meet the expectations of his demanding employer?
Cast: Yuji Oda, Kou Shibasaki
Director: Hiroshi Nishitani
Duration: 115 mins, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese & English / English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Spring Snow (Romance)
*Special Screening at the 18th Tokyo International Film Festival 2005
*Special Programs in Focus at 10th Pusan International Film Festival 2005
*29thJapan Academy Prize 2006 – Nine nominations including Best Leading Actor, Best Leading Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Music, Best Cinematography, Best Lighting Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Sound Recording & Best Film Editing
In the early 1900’s aristocracy, a young duke Kiyoaki, and a noblewomen Satoko, have known each other since they were little children. As they grew up, Satoko gradually realized that her adoration of the young man had turned to love. But her affection for him was never returned, and Kiyoaki always seemed cold and distant. As time goes by, Satoko is forced to accept a marriage proposal from another man. On hearing the news, Kiyoaki is devastated. He has been in love with her for years but is it now all too late?
Cast: Yuko Takeuchi, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Sosuke Takaoka
Director: Isao Yukisada
Duration: 118 mins, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese & English / English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Touch (Drama)
Twin brothers Tatsuya and Kazuya have a mutual friend, Minami who has been their playmate since they were young. Entering the same school as the boys, Minami harbours a dream: to take part in the National High School Baseball Tournament at Koshien Stadium. In order to help her realise her goal, ace pitcher Kazuya joins the baseball team. Not only is he a talented sportsman but an outstanding student and considered a perfect match for Minami. Will they find success together?
Cast: Masami Nagasawa, Shota Saito, Keita Saito
Director: Isshin Inudo
Duration: 115 mins (TBC), Theatrical
Category: PG
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Chinese & English / English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Shining Boy & Little Randy (Drama)
Tetsumu is an introverted and sensitive boy who was bullied at school. He lives with his mother, owner of an elephant ranch and animal talent agency. Life is not happy for the youngster and his relationship with his mother suffers. Then one day, elephants “Micky” and “Randy” are brought to the farm. Finding he has a natural ability to communicate with them, the boy becomes lost in his animal world.
Now a young man, he travels to Thailand to work and live with the elephants. His mission: to be the first professional elephant trainer in Japan. Confident and strong, he finally returns to his homeland to launch his career. With Randy at his side, he excels in the spotlight … but how long can the good times last?
Cast: Yuya Yagira, Takako Takiwa
Director: Shunsaku Kawake
Duration: 113 mins, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Japanese (mixed with Thai language)
Subtitles: Japanese & English / Chinese & English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Trainman (Romantic Comedy)
Premiering in Japan on June 4, Trainman landed No. 1 at the box office grossing over JPY280,000,000 in its first weekend! The film continues its strong performance in its sixth week of release.
Based on a story borne on the internet, and later adapted into manga by four competing magazines, it tells the story of 22 year old Otaku. Travelling home after a hard days work, he rescues “Miss Hermes” from an annoying drunk on a train. Smitten by her good looks, he decides this is the girl for him. But how do you get the girl? He’s not smart, he’s not good looking and he has no experience of dating!
Cast: Takayuki Yamada, Miki Nakatani
Director: Masanori Murakami
Duration: 101 mins, Theatrical
Category: PG
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English / Chinese & English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
