During the 90s and the beginning of the 2000s, the J-horror category became one of the most popular internationally, with films like “Ringu”, “Pulse” “Ju-on The Grudge”, “Dark Water” and more getting noticed by fans all over the world, particularly for their move away from slasher aesthetics that used to dominate the category beforehand, as much as for their rather rich context and impressive visuals. The impact continued for many years, with Hollywood picking up the rights for a number of adaptations, while many of the aforementioned titles kickstarted franchises that are still running. However, as time passed, the genre became somewhat preterit, with the plethora of titles resulting in a drop in quality that essentially deemed the genre almost obsolete.
During the latest years, however, and although too scarcely to be called a wave, or even movement, a number of new filmmakers have taken upon them to reinvigorate the genre,...
During the latest years, however, and although too scarcely to be called a wave, or even movement, a number of new filmmakers have taken upon them to reinvigorate the genre,...
- 11/28/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Japanese movie Frantic redefines Metacinema. Director Shugo Fujii (known for Mimicry Freaks) returns with a twisted feature film, an exhilarating plot and a labyrinthic narrative on the obsession to attain one’s dream. Tma Releasing and TheMovieAgency.com presents Frantic, screening in Glendale / Los Angeles, CA at the Laemmle Theatre from Oct 14 to Oct 20th …
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The post TheMovieAgency.com and Tma Releasing present Frantic, playing in Glendale L.A. at the Laemmle Theatre from Oct 14 to Oct 20th appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
- 10/14/2022
- by Mike Joy
- Horror News
Japanese movie Frantic redefines Metacinema. Director Shugo Fujii (known for Mimicry Freaks) returns with a twisted feature film, an exhilarating plot and a labyrinthic narrative on the obsession to attain one’s dream.
Tma Releasing and TheMovieAgency.com presents Frantic, screening in Glendale / Los Angeles, CA at the Laemmle Theatre from Oct 14 to Oct 20th – https://www.laemmle.com/film/frantic
In a Japanese theatre, an audience of two hundred people watch a play. It quickly becomes clear that events onstage are going off-script, building to the players locking the doors and trapping everyone inside. The story then flashes back six months to follow two of the actors: Sho, who continually gets humiliated at auditions, and Tatsu, harassed by his father and working in a convenience store. Sho and Tatsu decide to follow their dreams by putting on their own play. Using criminal schemes to raise money, and soon in trouble with the local Yakuza,...
Tma Releasing and TheMovieAgency.com presents Frantic, screening in Glendale / Los Angeles, CA at the Laemmle Theatre from Oct 14 to Oct 20th – https://www.laemmle.com/film/frantic
In a Japanese theatre, an audience of two hundred people watch a play. It quickly becomes clear that events onstage are going off-script, building to the players locking the doors and trapping everyone inside. The story then flashes back six months to follow two of the actors: Sho, who continually gets humiliated at auditions, and Tatsu, harassed by his father and working in a convenience store. Sho and Tatsu decide to follow their dreams by putting on their own play. Using criminal schemes to raise money, and soon in trouble with the local Yakuza,...
- 10/13/2022
- by Michael Joy
- Horror Asylum
After dealing with the entertainment industry in the harshest of ways in “Frantic”, Shugo Fujii decided to make his realistic but quite pointed remarks on the news industry this time, taking as his starting point the whole coverage of the Covid and particularly the vaccines.
Kingdom of the Apes is screening at Japan Filmfest Hamburg
After an intro inside a car that eventually shows that what we watch next is much more complicated actually, we are transferred to the building of a TV channel, where two rather intense “fights” are taking place, regarding a news special that is questioning the safety of a new vaccine. The producer of the program is being grinded to re-edit by a powerful news host, Satomi, along with a number of network executives, and the producer’s superior, who, despite stating that he has got his back just a moment before, eventually also turns against him.
Kingdom of the Apes is screening at Japan Filmfest Hamburg
After an intro inside a car that eventually shows that what we watch next is much more complicated actually, we are transferred to the building of a TV channel, where two rather intense “fights” are taking place, regarding a news special that is questioning the safety of a new vaccine. The producer of the program is being grinded to re-edit by a powerful news host, Satomi, along with a number of network executives, and the producer’s superior, who, despite stating that he has got his back just a moment before, eventually also turns against him.
- 6/22/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Following on the footsteps of “Mimicry Freaks” on of the most brutal, most extreme and most weird horror films of 2019 is not exactly an easy thing to do, but Shugo Fujii’s next title, “Frantic” is even more ambitious, as its base is extremely meta, revolving on a film about a stage play, before it turns into something completely different.
“Frantic” is based on Fujii’s own stage play and will open in Japan, November 12.
The film begins in a theater in Japan, where a crew of actors who also seem to act as directors and every other role involved in a movie, are about to present a play to the amassed audience. Something, however, is obviously amiss, and Fujii gradually presents the events that led to the show, starting months ago. Sho, an actor, is ridiculed in a casting session, Tatsu, another actor, also cannot get a break, while...
“Frantic” is based on Fujii’s own stage play and will open in Japan, November 12.
The film begins in a theater in Japan, where a crew of actors who also seem to act as directors and every other role involved in a movie, are about to present a play to the amassed audience. Something, however, is obviously amiss, and Fujii gradually presents the events that led to the show, starting months ago. Sho, an actor, is ridiculed in a casting session, Tatsu, another actor, also cannot get a break, while...
- 9/26/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Hong Kong’s FilMart wrapped up its 2021 edition – and second successive wholly online edition on Thursday. Organizers reported that the four day event (March 15-18) had welcomed “nearly 7,000 industry participants from 81 countries and regions over four days, with the release and promotion of some 2,200 film and television productions.”
That total was largely similar to its outcome in August last year, when organizers said that “some 2,100 film and television productions were released and promoted (and) attracted nearly 7,000 international buyers from 73 countries and regions.”
The online platform used for meetings and conference events will remain open until May 18. Registered participants can continue to connect with exhibitors and buyers and also review the content of previous events.
Singapore-based investment, production and licensing firm 108 Media used FilMart’s virtual platform to announce the market debut of the Chinese mystery thriller “Lost in Blue.” A thriller, it explores the devastating effects of the illicit...
That total was largely similar to its outcome in August last year, when organizers said that “some 2,100 film and television productions were released and promoted (and) attracted nearly 7,000 international buyers from 73 countries and regions.”
The online platform used for meetings and conference events will remain open until May 18. Registered participants can continue to connect with exhibitors and buyers and also review the content of previous events.
Singapore-based investment, production and licensing firm 108 Media used FilMart’s virtual platform to announce the market debut of the Chinese mystery thriller “Lost in Blue.” A thriller, it explores the devastating effects of the illicit...
- 3/18/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
After much thought, and taking into consideration the health of our guests and viewers, Nihon Media announced that Japan Filmfest Hamburg cannot take place this year as a traditional film festival – and will be online instead. Under the motto ‘Breaking Free – From Japan with Love’, Nihon Media will collaborate with Videocity to stream its entire programme of 70+ films in around 40 blocks globally from 19th of August to the 2nd of September.
The 2020 film programme features 70 current productions, from full-length feature films to experimental short films, including many German, European, and international premieres. Most of the films are shown in the original Japanese language with English subtitles. One special highlight of our programme is the gangster-ballad originally planned as the opening film for the 21st Jffh, “Paradise Next” (2018) from director and film composer Yoshihiro Hanno (“Flowers of Shanghai”). An atmospheric road-movie about the travels of three lost souls living on the edges of society,...
The 2020 film programme features 70 current productions, from full-length feature films to experimental short films, including many German, European, and international premieres. Most of the films are shown in the original Japanese language with English subtitles. One special highlight of our programme is the gangster-ballad originally planned as the opening film for the 21st Jffh, “Paradise Next” (2018) from director and film composer Yoshihiro Hanno (“Flowers of Shanghai”). An atmospheric road-movie about the travels of three lost souls living on the edges of society,...
- 8/10/2020
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
The cult film VOD platform Spamflix has launched a new worldwide app, available now for mobile and smart TV compatible. Via the app users can browse, rent and stream from the full catalog, which includes a wide range of feature and short films from around the globe.
Visit spamflix.com/app.do for more information, or available directly on Google Play and the Apple Store.
Spamflix was founded in 2018 by Markus Duffner, a project manager at the Locarno Film Festival and Julia Duarte, former producer of São Paulo International Film Festival. Called ‘Netflix for Cult Film Fans’ by Geek Spin the bulk of Spamflix’s library consists of hard to find and lesser-seen genre titles, many of which garnered acclaim on the festival circuit only to land without significant distribution.
A treasure trove for cult film enthusiasts that has a specialty focus on black comedy and adult animation, the new...
Visit spamflix.com/app.do for more information, or available directly on Google Play and the Apple Store.
Spamflix was founded in 2018 by Markus Duffner, a project manager at the Locarno Film Festival and Julia Duarte, former producer of São Paulo International Film Festival. Called ‘Netflix for Cult Film Fans’ by Geek Spin the bulk of Spamflix’s library consists of hard to find and lesser-seen genre titles, many of which garnered acclaim on the festival circuit only to land without significant distribution.
A treasure trove for cult film enthusiasts that has a specialty focus on black comedy and adult animation, the new...
- 5/14/2020
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Spamflix – a Tvod platform for arthouse and cult films – is releasing “Mimicry Freaks” on April 2nd, a Japanese mystery splatter horror film by director Shugo Fujii.
The film follows Fuma, a man that wakes up in a bed in the middle of a forest with his only son Ren, when suddenly a traditional Japanese monster, known as Namahage, attacks them. Not far from there, a wedding planner takes a young couple to a venue deep in the woods. When the two stories come together, the unpredictable happens.
Inspired by a famous Japanese drawing (Kaidan Chibusa no Enoki) by Seiu Ito about abuse of minors, “Mimicry Freaks” disdains J-horror and focuses on the American codes of the genre. A cross between “Chainsaw Massacre” and “Evil Dead”, with a mix of mutations, massacres sponsored by everything you can find in the garden shed, blood that gushes through the air etcetera.
During its festival run,...
The film follows Fuma, a man that wakes up in a bed in the middle of a forest with his only son Ren, when suddenly a traditional Japanese monster, known as Namahage, attacks them. Not far from there, a wedding planner takes a young couple to a venue deep in the woods. When the two stories come together, the unpredictable happens.
Inspired by a famous Japanese drawing (Kaidan Chibusa no Enoki) by Seiu Ito about abuse of minors, “Mimicry Freaks” disdains J-horror and focuses on the American codes of the genre. A cross between “Chainsaw Massacre” and “Evil Dead”, with a mix of mutations, massacres sponsored by everything you can find in the garden shed, blood that gushes through the air etcetera.
During its festival run,...
- 4/2/2020
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Tokyo-born Shugo Fujii’s interest in crafting movies started when he, at the age of nine, discovered the potential of the medium by experimenting with his father’s Super 8 camera. After his graduation from Junior High, he decided to move to the United States in order to become a director. In 1998, he received a bachelor’s degree at the California Institute of arts and one year later he returned to Japan. Fujii’s career as director started in 2000 when Tsunku, the famous music producer, chose to produce his horror narrative ‘Iki-jigoku’. While Fujii’s career as suspense and horror director was going great, he became inactive in 2009 after a certain event. After 9 years, the time was right for the talented director Fuji to return to cinema.
On the occasion of the screening of Red Line Crossing at the 19th Japan Film Fest Hamburg we ask him about his return to cinema,...
On the occasion of the screening of Red Line Crossing at the 19th Japan Film Fest Hamburg we ask him about his return to cinema,...
- 6/13/2018
- by Pieter-Jan Van Haecke
- AsianMoviePulse
In 2017, Ogata Takaomi’s “A Hungry Lion” (2017) explored the danger and the power of the image on mental health of high-school students. This narrative subtly underlined the problematic dimension of the image in contemporary Japanese society. Apparently, Takaomi was not the only on to highlight the problematic effects the dimension of the image can have in the Japanese society. In the same year, Shugo Fujii released his socially engaged narrative “Red Line Crossing”, which, contrary to Takeomi’s narrative, explores the effect of the image on teachers.
Red Line Crossing is screening at the 19th Japan Film Fest Hamburg
One day, principal Inada (Etsuko Tanemura) enters her office at Toyotama Jr. high school. While she thought she shut her computer down, it is still running. Despite feeling uneasy, she decides to check it out and finds a website called ‘Japanese schoolgirl Upskirt Voyeur’ opened in the browser. Suddenly, she is confronted with Uenishi-sensei’s body.
Red Line Crossing is screening at the 19th Japan Film Fest Hamburg
One day, principal Inada (Etsuko Tanemura) enters her office at Toyotama Jr. high school. While she thought she shut her computer down, it is still running. Despite feeling uneasy, she decides to check it out and finds a website called ‘Japanese schoolgirl Upskirt Voyeur’ opened in the browser. Suddenly, she is confronted with Uenishi-sensei’s body.
- 5/23/2018
- by Pieter-Jan Van Haecke
- AsianMoviePulse
Some films are low on budget yet high on concept. They don't need fancy special effects, wealthy actors or an elaborate crew to translate their vision onto the silver screen. All they need is a few good ideas and a creative team to work around all the limitations they will be facing. White Panic is a good example of such a film and even though it doesn't compete with the best, it's a damn fun ride nonetheless.
Science-fiction is a welcome genre for directors wanting to show off their skills with a very limited amount of money. Working in small spaces with shots from specific angles, the right lighting and just the right amount of tech and steam is often more effective than filling the screen with full-blown CG galaxies and spaceships. It's exactly the reason why sci-fi can sometimes feel more claustrophobic than spatial, but the result is usually more than satisfying.
Science-fiction is a welcome genre for directors wanting to show off their skills with a very limited amount of money. Working in small spaces with shots from specific angles, the right lighting and just the right amount of tech and steam is often more effective than filling the screen with full-blown CG galaxies and spaceships. It's exactly the reason why sci-fi can sometimes feel more claustrophobic than spatial, but the result is usually more than satisfying.
- 6/29/2010
- Screen Anarchy
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