Ryuhei Matsuda was born on the 9th of May, 1983, in Tokyo, to actress and producer Miyuki Matsuda and actor Yûsaku Matsuda, and only six years later he loses his father to cancer at the premature age of 40. At only 15, Ryuhei is approached by Nagisa Oshima with the life changing offer of a prominent role in his film Gohatto. Since then, Matsuda's magnetic charisma and remarkable versatility have allowed him to portray a wide range of characters, from brooding antiheroes to quirky and endearing figures, captivating audiences both in Japan and internationally.
With a unique ability to immerse himself in diverse roles, he has left an indelible mark on Japanese cinema and continues to be a beloved and influential figure in the world of acting. However, Matsuda's congenital air of disdain for the whole world, his glacial aloofness mixed with his innate handsomeness make him the prototype of effortless coolness,...
With a unique ability to immerse himself in diverse roles, he has left an indelible mark on Japanese cinema and continues to be a beloved and influential figure in the world of acting. However, Matsuda's congenital air of disdain for the whole world, his glacial aloofness mixed with his innate handsomeness make him the prototype of effortless coolness,...
- 11/9/2023
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Another splendid sample of Japanese indie cinema, “100 Yen Love” depicts the contemporary life in the metropolis, which is chiefly characterized by alienation and solitude, with raw realism.
Buy This Title
Ichiko is a 32-year-old living with her parents in the first floor of the bento shop they own, while recently, her sister has also moved there with her son, due to her recent divorce. Ichiko is a true slob, spending her time playing video games with her nephew, not helping in the shop whatsoever, both facts that constantly infuriate her sister. Moreover, even if her character is flawed, her appearance is even worse, since she is permanently uncombed and unkempt, to the point of usually looking similar to a homeless person. During a fight between the sisters, matters gets out of hand, and the two of them wind up wrestling on the floor. Eventually, Ichiko is forced to move...
Buy This Title
Ichiko is a 32-year-old living with her parents in the first floor of the bento shop they own, while recently, her sister has also moved there with her son, due to her recent divorce. Ichiko is a true slob, spending her time playing video games with her nephew, not helping in the shop whatsoever, both facts that constantly infuriate her sister. Moreover, even if her character is flawed, her appearance is even worse, since she is permanently uncombed and unkempt, to the point of usually looking similar to a homeless person. During a fight between the sisters, matters gets out of hand, and the two of them wind up wrestling on the floor. Eventually, Ichiko is forced to move...
- 7/28/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
With Mashide Ichii’s “The Stormy Family” Nippon Connection chose a turbulent comedy for their actual program. Since his debut “Dog Days Dream” in 2005 Ichii looks back to a series of awarded feature films. Among them are “Blindly in Love” (2013) and “Our Meal For Tomorrow” (2017). His actual work is a mixture of family drama and crime story.
The Stormy Family is screening at Nippon Connection
Ten years ago, an elderly couple made a bank robbery. Naively they, used their own car and unfortunately it really wasn’t discreet. Everybody recognized the richly decorated car of the undertakers. But still, they disappeared and caouldn’t be found by the police. Now years after the incident, one of the children calls the family together for a memorial service. The three brothers and one sister arrive at the parental house.
The oldest brother with his own wife and daughter claims the inheritance for...
The Stormy Family is screening at Nippon Connection
Ten years ago, an elderly couple made a bank robbery. Naively they, used their own car and unfortunately it really wasn’t discreet. Everybody recognized the richly decorated car of the undertakers. But still, they disappeared and caouldn’t be found by the police. Now years after the incident, one of the children calls the family together for a memorial service. The three brothers and one sister arrive at the parental house.
The oldest brother with his own wife and daughter claims the inheritance for...
- 6/5/2021
- by Teresa Vena
- AsianMoviePulse
Japanese prosecutors in the rape case against Hirofumi Arai have asked for a five-year prison sentence for the actor. They made the request was made at a public hearing Wednesday in the Tokyo District Court.
Arai has pleaded innocent to charges that he sexually assaulted a woman sent to his residence from a massage service on July 1, 2018.
In its statement to the court, the prosecution contended that the victim was in “extreme physical and emotional distress” and that Arai’s payment of money after the encounter indicated “his full recognition that the woman was opposed to his desire.”
In his testimony, Arai has denied that the woman resisted his advances or that he used threats or violence.
Japanese courts have very high conviction rates. The verdict will be announced Dec. 2.
Born Kyung-Sik Park in Hirosaki, in Japan’s Aomori Prefecture, in 1979, Arai is a third-generation ethnic Korean. After debuting in “Go,...
Arai has pleaded innocent to charges that he sexually assaulted a woman sent to his residence from a massage service on July 1, 2018.
In its statement to the court, the prosecution contended that the victim was in “extreme physical and emotional distress” and that Arai’s payment of money after the encounter indicated “his full recognition that the woman was opposed to his desire.”
In his testimony, Arai has denied that the woman resisted his advances or that he used threats or violence.
Japanese courts have very high conviction rates. The verdict will be announced Dec. 2.
Born Kyung-Sik Park in Hirosaki, in Japan’s Aomori Prefecture, in 1979, Arai is a third-generation ethnic Korean. After debuting in “Go,...
- 10/24/2019
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Daisaku Kimura made a name for himself working as a cinematographer in Japanese cinema since the 70’s, with his work netting him awards from the Japanese Academy three times, namely for “House on Fire”, “Yukai” and “Chorus of Angels“. However, the surprise came when he first transitioned to the director’s chair with “Mt Tsurugidake”, a film that took the Academy by storm in 2010, winning six awards including the ones for direction and cinematography for Kimura. Having exhibited his love and his ability to shoot about and in the mountains, Kimura continued with the theme in “Climbing to Spring”, although in much more tender fashion.
“Climbing to Spring” is screening at Ulju Mountain Film Festival 2019
The story is based on Ryouhei Sasamoto’s homonymous novel and revolves around Tooru, a young man who, as the story begins, works as a securities trader in Tokyo. However, his past is completely different,...
“Climbing to Spring” is screening at Ulju Mountain Film Festival 2019
The story is based on Ryouhei Sasamoto’s homonymous novel and revolves around Tooru, a young man who, as the story begins, works as a securities trader in Tokyo. However, his past is completely different,...
- 9/8/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Japanese director Keisuke Yoshida was born in 1975 in Saitama in the Saitama Prefecture. While he was still studying at Tokyo Visual Arts he started making his own independent films. Ever since his debut feature “Raw Summer” (2005) he has directed a total of nine films, with his new film “I Love Irene” being released this fall. He has also written the screenplays for the majority of his movies.
On the occasion of his last film “Thicker Than Water“ screening at Japan Cuts 2018, we speak with him about his film and other things
First of all, thanks for agreeing to have this interview about a very interesting film, “Thicker Than Water”, which combines comedy and drama. It touches upon the subject of sibling rivalry and sibling competition. What was your inspiration for the project?
I have an older sister myself, but my experience might have been similar to an only child, though.
On the occasion of his last film “Thicker Than Water“ screening at Japan Cuts 2018, we speak with him about his film and other things
First of all, thanks for agreeing to have this interview about a very interesting film, “Thicker Than Water”, which combines comedy and drama. It touches upon the subject of sibling rivalry and sibling competition. What was your inspiration for the project?
I have an older sister myself, but my experience might have been similar to an only child, though.
- 7/4/2019
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
What started with “Pornostar“, continued in the best way possible in “Blue Spring”, with the concept of the guerilla/punk film finding its apogee here, in probably Toshiaki Toyoda’s best work to date.
The script of the film is based on a series of autobiographical short stories by the manga author Matsumoto Taiyo, and takes place in a rundown boys’ high school, which seems to be attended only by delinquents and lost causes. The protagonist, Kujo, becomes the leader of a seven-member gang of the school’s seniors, by winning a suicidal clapping game. Initially, he seems to cherish his role, punishing those who do not treat the rest of the gang members with respect, occasionally using a baseball bat to do so. However, after awhile he gets bored, a tendency that expands onto everything he does.
Aoki, a childhood friend of Kujo’s, becomes his right hand; nevertheless,...
The script of the film is based on a series of autobiographical short stories by the manga author Matsumoto Taiyo, and takes place in a rundown boys’ high school, which seems to be attended only by delinquents and lost causes. The protagonist, Kujo, becomes the leader of a seven-member gang of the school’s seniors, by winning a suicidal clapping game. Initially, he seems to cherish his role, punishing those who do not treat the rest of the gang members with respect, occasionally using a baseball bat to do so. However, after awhile he gets bored, a tendency that expands onto everything he does.
Aoki, a childhood friend of Kujo’s, becomes his right hand; nevertheless,...
- 4/1/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
“100 yen, 100 yen, your whole life for 100 yen…”
Even though it may be a bit of a cliche, there is no denying a time of need may provide the foundation for a great story. After all, at the beginning of many stories a character needs to escape from dire circumstances in order to achieve something in the world, to fulfill a dream or to fight odds which have seemed insurmountable at first. Masaharu Take’s “100 Yen Love” does not necessarily tell a success story, but one about fighting, about challenging the most dangerous enemy one can imagine: yourself.
For Japanese director Masaharu Take the beginning of the 2010s marked quite a low point in his career, which had already almost two decades by that time. Due to the economic crisis, he tells the South China Morning Post, he found himself without a job like so many of his colleagues in the industry.
Even though it may be a bit of a cliche, there is no denying a time of need may provide the foundation for a great story. After all, at the beginning of many stories a character needs to escape from dire circumstances in order to achieve something in the world, to fulfill a dream or to fight odds which have seemed insurmountable at first. Masaharu Take’s “100 Yen Love” does not necessarily tell a success story, but one about fighting, about challenging the most dangerous enemy one can imagine: yourself.
For Japanese director Masaharu Take the beginning of the 2010s marked quite a low point in his career, which had already almost two decades by that time. Due to the economic crisis, he tells the South China Morning Post, he found himself without a job like so many of his colleagues in the industry.
- 2/8/2019
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Hirofumi Arai, an actor who has appeared in many major Japanese films of the past two decades, was arrested by Tokyo police on Friday. He has been charged with the offense of “forcible intercourse” or rape.
The move stems from Arai’s alleged encounter with an unnamed woman dispatched from a massage service to Arai’s residence on July 1 of last year. According the police report, Arai committed violent acts against the woman, including “forcible intercourse.”
Arai has reportedly denied some of the charges. His agency, Anore, has told the media that it is not at present in touch with Arai, and cannot reply to the report of his arrest.
Public broadcaster Nhk immediately halted sales of ten programs in which Arai was involved, including the 2015 mystery drama “64.” Other projects involving the star are likely to be affected, including the Masahide Ichii drama “Typhoon Family,” which is set for a June release through Kino Films.
The move stems from Arai’s alleged encounter with an unnamed woman dispatched from a massage service to Arai’s residence on July 1 of last year. According the police report, Arai committed violent acts against the woman, including “forcible intercourse.”
Arai has reportedly denied some of the charges. His agency, Anore, has told the media that it is not at present in touch with Arai, and cannot reply to the report of his arrest.
Public broadcaster Nhk immediately halted sales of ten programs in which Arai was involved, including the 2015 mystery drama “64.” Other projects involving the star are likely to be affected, including the Masahide Ichii drama “Typhoon Family,” which is set for a June release through Kino Films.
- 2/2/2019
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Japanese director Keisuke Yoshida was born in 1975 in Saitama in the Saitama Prefecture. While he was still studying at Tokyo Visual Arts he started making his own independent films. Ever since his debut feature “Raw Summer” (2005) he has directed a total of nine films, with his new film “I Love Irene” being released this fall. He has also written the screenplays for the majority of his movies.
On the occasion of his last film “Thicker Than Water“screening at Japan Cuts 2018 , we speak with him about T
First of all, thanks for agreeing to have this interview about a very interesting film, “Thicker Than Water”, which combines comedy and drama. It touches upon the subject of sibling rivalry and sibling competition. What was your inspiration for the project?
I have an older sister myself, but my experience might have been similar to an only child, though. This story is not...
On the occasion of his last film “Thicker Than Water“screening at Japan Cuts 2018 , we speak with him about T
First of all, thanks for agreeing to have this interview about a very interesting film, “Thicker Than Water”, which combines comedy and drama. It touches upon the subject of sibling rivalry and sibling competition. What was your inspiration for the project?
I have an older sister myself, but my experience might have been similar to an only child, though. This story is not...
- 7/30/2018
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
“I really thought I could change.”
In general sibling rivalry is one of the oldest themes of mankind, a foundation for countless tales in art, film and literature. Ever since the story of Cain and Abel the focus has mostly been on brothers or sisters being enemies defined by envy and constant arguments. On the other hand the opposite, for example the happy family of sitcoms or sibling harmony as in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Our Little Sister” (2015) does exist, but is rarely used. In the end, being enemies makes for a more dramatic and dynamic story perhaps. Or maybe it is just something which derives from a general experience of growing up with brothers and/or sisters.
More precisely, stories of rivalry rather than happiness are more common. In an article for the magazine “Psychology Today” author Jane Mersky Leder shares some insights into what seems to be popular narratives...
In general sibling rivalry is one of the oldest themes of mankind, a foundation for countless tales in art, film and literature. Ever since the story of Cain and Abel the focus has mostly been on brothers or sisters being enemies defined by envy and constant arguments. On the other hand the opposite, for example the happy family of sitcoms or sibling harmony as in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Our Little Sister” (2015) does exist, but is rarely used. In the end, being enemies makes for a more dramatic and dynamic story perhaps. Or maybe it is just something which derives from a general experience of growing up with brothers and/or sisters.
More precisely, stories of rivalry rather than happiness are more common. In an article for the magazine “Psychology Today” author Jane Mersky Leder shares some insights into what seems to be popular narratives...
- 7/29/2018
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
With a manga that has sold over 50 million copies and an anime series that has been equally successful both in Japan and overseas, a live-action adaptation of “Gintama” was bound to happen. Yuichi Fukuda was tasked with the job and did a fine job on quite a difficult adaptation. Let us take things from the beginning, though.
Gintama is screening at the 19th Japan Film Fest Hamburg
The story takes place in an alternate late-Edo period, where humanity is attacked by aliens called “Amanto” but when the shogun realizes the power of aliens, he betrays the samurai and surrenders to the aliens. The shogun writes an unequal contract with aliens which allows the aliens to enter the country and places a ban on carrying swords in public. The swords of samurai are taken away so they can no longer resist the aliens. After that, the shogunate becomes a puppet government...
Gintama is screening at the 19th Japan Film Fest Hamburg
The story takes place in an alternate late-Edo period, where humanity is attacked by aliens called “Amanto” but when the shogun realizes the power of aliens, he betrays the samurai and surrenders to the aliens. The shogun writes an unequal contract with aliens which allows the aliens to enter the country and places a ban on carrying swords in public. The swords of samurai are taken away so they can no longer resist the aliens. After that, the shogunate becomes a puppet government...
- 5/12/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
“Blood and Bones” is based on the semi-autobiographical novel “Chi to Hone” by Zainichi Korean author Yan Sogiru. It was one of the most acclaimed Japanese films of 2004, nominated for 12 Japanese Academy Awards and winning four, including Best Actress, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Screenplay, and was Japan’s official submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 78th Academy Awards.
The script revolves around the story of a family of Korean immigrants in Japan, starting in 1923, when they moved from Cheju Island to Osaka. The central figure of the story is Shunpei Kim, although his son, Masao, narrates the story. Shunpei, after the end of the war arises as a leading figure of the poor community he leaves in, as he builds a fishcake factory from scratch, and manages to bring great profit. However, Shunpei is not a kind benefactor, but a rather awful human being. In that fashion,...
The script revolves around the story of a family of Korean immigrants in Japan, starting in 1923, when they moved from Cheju Island to Osaka. The central figure of the story is Shunpei Kim, although his son, Masao, narrates the story. Shunpei, after the end of the war arises as a leading figure of the poor community he leaves in, as he builds a fishcake factory from scratch, and manages to bring great profit. However, Shunpei is not a kind benefactor, but a rather awful human being. In that fashion,...
- 3/17/2017
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
For 10 years, Five Flavours Film Festival has been presenting the best cinema from Asia, its meanings and contexts. Initially, the Festival focused solely on Vietnamese films, but it evolved to become a yearly review of the cinema of East and Southeast Asia, the only such event in the country.
The 10th edition is held in Warsaw, on November 16-23 (Muranów and Kinoteka cinemas), and in Wrocław on November 18-24 (New Horizons Cinema).
This year’s edition of Five Flavours is the biggest in history – it presents over 40 productions. The program combines artistic and commercial cinema, allowing the audience to experience the best Asian films have to offer. On the one hand, there are the intimate stories with a social angle, on the other – fresh, innovative blockbusters, filled with the sheer joy of cinematic creation, attracting millions of viewers in their homelands.
Three
This diversity is already visible in the choice...
The 10th edition is held in Warsaw, on November 16-23 (Muranów and Kinoteka cinemas), and in Wrocław on November 18-24 (New Horizons Cinema).
This year’s edition of Five Flavours is the biggest in history – it presents over 40 productions. The program combines artistic and commercial cinema, allowing the audience to experience the best Asian films have to offer. On the one hand, there are the intimate stories with a social angle, on the other – fresh, innovative blockbusters, filled with the sheer joy of cinematic creation, attracting millions of viewers in their homelands.
Three
This diversity is already visible in the choice...
- 10/28/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Helter Skelter (2012) Review (Mika Ninagawa)STORY82%ACTING78%DIRECTING75%VISUALS90%Great castMeaningful storyExcellent cinematographyThe script is a little naive at times2015-10-0981%Overall ScoreReader Rating: (1 Vote)66%
Based on the homonymous manga by Kyoko Okazaki, that won a number of awards in Japan, Helter Skelter was one of the most successful films of 2012, grossing Us$24,231,554 and netting the 26th position at the Japanese box office.
Lilico is the top Japanese female idol: Stunning to perfection, kind, funny and generally, socially unblemished, she is a woman every teenage girl wants to be like and every man wants to conquer. Underneath that flawless facade though, a plethora of secrets and discrepancies is lurking.
Lilico is actually an insecure, shallow, malicious and overall sad individual that permanently obeys the commands of her corrupt and emotionless manager, Hiroko Tada and is totally depended upon her assistant, Michiko Hada. The latter actually arranges everything in her daily life,...
Based on the homonymous manga by Kyoko Okazaki, that won a number of awards in Japan, Helter Skelter was one of the most successful films of 2012, grossing Us$24,231,554 and netting the 26th position at the Japanese box office.
Lilico is the top Japanese female idol: Stunning to perfection, kind, funny and generally, socially unblemished, she is a woman every teenage girl wants to be like and every man wants to conquer. Underneath that flawless facade though, a plethora of secrets and discrepancies is lurking.
Lilico is actually an insecure, shallow, malicious and overall sad individual that permanently obeys the commands of her corrupt and emotionless manager, Hiroko Tada and is totally depended upon her assistant, Michiko Hada. The latter actually arranges everything in her daily life,...
- 10/9/2015
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
100 Yen Love
Written by Shin Adachi
Directed by Masaharu Take
Japan, 2014
In some ways, the Japanese director Masaharu Take’s 100 Yen Love feels about as old-hat as the 12/8, bluesy guitar music which makes up the bulk of the film’s score: it’s yet another boxing drama about an outcast who finds herself in the ring. There’s nothing in the story we haven’t heard before, and, like the music, its willingness to rehash cliches makes it risk self-parody. But conveying art through established traditions can have a certain nostalgic charm, and both the music and the film it provides the soundtrack for play off tropes to create a crowd-pleaser which oozes appeal.
A large part of that appeal comes from Sakura Ando, who gives a captivating performance as Ichiko, a 32 year-old virgin who lives with her parents and gets into violent fights with her recently divorced sister. She...
Written by Shin Adachi
Directed by Masaharu Take
Japan, 2014
In some ways, the Japanese director Masaharu Take’s 100 Yen Love feels about as old-hat as the 12/8, bluesy guitar music which makes up the bulk of the film’s score: it’s yet another boxing drama about an outcast who finds herself in the ring. There’s nothing in the story we haven’t heard before, and, like the music, its willingness to rehash cliches makes it risk self-parody. But conveying art through established traditions can have a certain nostalgic charm, and both the music and the film it provides the soundtrack for play off tropes to create a crowd-pleaser which oozes appeal.
A large part of that appeal comes from Sakura Ando, who gives a captivating performance as Ichiko, a 32 year-old virgin who lives with her parents and gets into violent fights with her recently divorced sister. She...
- 7/23/2015
- by Max Bledstein
- SoundOnSight
Director Wang talks to ScreenDaily about working with Takeshi Kitano.
Us-based director Wayne Wang, known for films such as The Joy Luck Club, Smoke and Maid In Manhattan, wrapped his shoot with iconic Japanese actor Beat Takeshi, a.k.a. Takeshi Kitano, for suspense mystery While The Women Are Sleeping in Tokyo on Saturday (July 11).
Kitano, the award-winning actor/director of films such as Zatoichi, Beyond Outrage and Hana-bi, uses the name Beat Takeshi when he works as an actor or performer.
Based on Javier Marias’ short story of the same title published in The New Yorker, While The Women Are Sleeping debuted in early form at Busan’s 2013 Asian Project Market.
Shot mostly in Izu, the film is about Sahara (Kitano), a mysterious older man who is at a resort with his young girlfriend. It is told from the point of view of Kenji, a writer who is also visiting the resort for a week with...
Us-based director Wayne Wang, known for films such as The Joy Luck Club, Smoke and Maid In Manhattan, wrapped his shoot with iconic Japanese actor Beat Takeshi, a.k.a. Takeshi Kitano, for suspense mystery While The Women Are Sleeping in Tokyo on Saturday (July 11).
Kitano, the award-winning actor/director of films such as Zatoichi, Beyond Outrage and Hana-bi, uses the name Beat Takeshi when he works as an actor or performer.
Based on Javier Marias’ short story of the same title published in The New Yorker, While The Women Are Sleeping debuted in early form at Busan’s 2013 Asian Project Market.
Shot mostly in Izu, the film is about Sahara (Kitano), a mysterious older man who is at a resort with his young girlfriend. It is told from the point of view of Kenji, a writer who is also visiting the resort for a week with...
- 7/13/2015
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
We recently profiled 15 Filmmakers At The Forefront Of The TV Revolution, and a filmmaker headed to the small screen before many of the directors on that list is Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Back in 2012, he brought the five-part "Penance" to Japanese television, and later it screened internationally at the Venice Film Festival, Tiff and more. It's taken a couple of years, but now you'll be able to experience the drama on the big screen, and today we have an exclusive clip from the series. Starring Kyoko Koizumi, Teruyuki Kagawa, Yu Aoi, Eiko Koike, Sakura Ando, Chizuru Ikewaki, Mirai Moriyama, Kenji Mizuhashi, Ryo Kase, Tomoharu Hasegawa, Ayumi Ito, Hirofumi Arai and Tetsushi Tanaka, and based on the novel by Kanae Minato, the story centers around the kidnapping and killing of a young girl named Emili. Her grief-stricken mother Asako, frustrated at the crime going unsolved, lays the burden on the four girls who...
- 11/10/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
When it comes to Venice Film Festival, Japanese director Takeshi Kitano is definitely not a stranger. I’m sure you all remember his Hana Bi from 1997 (for which he recevied the Golden Lion), or 2003 Zatoichi project (Silver Lion statue).
Well, guess what, Kitano is now back In Competition with his completely new project, titled Outrage Beyond. And, in case this sounds like it has something to do with Kitano’s Outrage movie from last year’s Cannes film festival – relax, you’re not tripping – it’s just a sequel to the original story…
So, this time we have the Sanno crime family all grown into a huge organization, expanding its power into politics and legitimate big business. The Sanno’s upper ranks are now dominated by young executives, and the old-guard members are penting up resentment while being pushed to the sidelines.
This vulnerable spot in the Sanno hierarchy is...
Well, guess what, Kitano is now back In Competition with his completely new project, titled Outrage Beyond. And, in case this sounds like it has something to do with Kitano’s Outrage movie from last year’s Cannes film festival – relax, you’re not tripping – it’s just a sequel to the original story…
So, this time we have the Sanno crime family all grown into a huge organization, expanding its power into politics and legitimate big business. The Sanno’s upper ranks are now dominated by young executives, and the old-guard members are penting up resentment while being pushed to the sidelines.
This vulnerable spot in the Sanno hierarchy is...
- 8/23/2012
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
The upcoming sequel to Takeshi Kitano's 2010 gangster film Outrage has been a tough one to figure, and fair warning -- the reason for that involves some spoilers from the original.
On Tuesday, a press event was held at Seimei no Mori Resort in Chiba Prefecture to present the cast of the second film, now titled Outrage Beyond. New additions Toshiyuki Nishida, Yutaka Matsushige, Katsunori Takahashi, Kenta Kiritani, and Hirofumi Arai were in attendance along with returning cast members Kitano, Tomokazu Miura, Ryo Kase, and Fumiyo Kohinata.
There has been some question about how a sequel might work, simply because the first film was a complete blood bath. Most of the main characters were killed and it ended with Kitano's character, Otomo, getting stabbed and then later being confirmed dead by Kohinata's character, a crooked detective named Kataoka.
Producer Masayuki Mori confirmed that Otomo is in fact alive, but was...
On Tuesday, a press event was held at Seimei no Mori Resort in Chiba Prefecture to present the cast of the second film, now titled Outrage Beyond. New additions Toshiyuki Nishida, Yutaka Matsushige, Katsunori Takahashi, Kenta Kiritani, and Hirofumi Arai were in attendance along with returning cast members Kitano, Tomokazu Miura, Ryo Kase, and Fumiyo Kohinata.
There has been some question about how a sequel might work, simply because the first film was a complete blood bath. Most of the main characters were killed and it ended with Kitano's character, Otomo, getting stabbed and then later being confirmed dead by Kohinata's character, a crooked detective named Kataoka.
Producer Masayuki Mori confirmed that Otomo is in fact alive, but was...
- 4/17/2012
- Nippon Cinema
Hirofumi Arai (33) has been cast as the lead in an upcoming movie called Akai Kisetsu (literally “Red Season”).
Arai, typically a supporting actor, will head up a cast featuring names like Tomorowo Taguchi, Masatoshi Nagase, Shigeru Izumiya, Jun Fubuki, and Jun Murakami.
Tetsuhiko Yoshino, former general manager of the rock band Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, wrote the screenplay and is directing the project himself. The story was inspired by the music from Yusuke Chiba’s first solo project, “Snake On The Beach”. Chiba was the front man of Thee Michelle Gun Elephant until they disbanded in 2003 and has been front man of The Birthday since 2006. He reportedly began working on tracks for his solo album in the summer of 2010, during a short break following a tour. He finished recording the songs earlier this year and the 20-track album will be released this fall.
Obviously there will be a strong tie-in...
Arai, typically a supporting actor, will head up a cast featuring names like Tomorowo Taguchi, Masatoshi Nagase, Shigeru Izumiya, Jun Fubuki, and Jun Murakami.
Tetsuhiko Yoshino, former general manager of the rock band Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, wrote the screenplay and is directing the project himself. The story was inspired by the music from Yusuke Chiba’s first solo project, “Snake On The Beach”. Chiba was the front man of Thee Michelle Gun Elephant until they disbanded in 2003 and has been front man of The Birthday since 2006. He reportedly began working on tracks for his solo album in the summer of 2010, during a short break following a tour. He finished recording the songs earlier this year and the 20-track album will be released this fall.
Obviously there will be a strong tie-in...
- 4/16/2012
- Nippon Cinema
Here’s the trailer for Banmei Takahashi‘s Box: Hakamada Jiken, not to be confused with Toshio Lee’s Box!, which is coming out around the same time.
The film is based on a notorious real-life crime which took place in Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture and became known as the “Hakamada Incident”. On June 30, 1966, a miso factory is set on fire after the director of the company and three of his family members are stabbed to death in the building. Detective Tatematsu (Ryo Ishibashi) eventually arrests ex-boxer Iwao Hakamada (Hirofumi Arai) for the crime based on some blood-stained clothing and a small cut on his finger. He initially claims innocence, but is forced into confession after being beaten by police and tortured for hours at a time.
Hakamada received a death sentence from Shizuoka District Court Judge Kumamoto (Masato Hagiwara) and lost several appeals in the decades that followed. Kumamoto, now a lawyer,...
The film is based on a notorious real-life crime which took place in Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture and became known as the “Hakamada Incident”. On June 30, 1966, a miso factory is set on fire after the director of the company and three of his family members are stabbed to death in the building. Detective Tatematsu (Ryo Ishibashi) eventually arrests ex-boxer Iwao Hakamada (Hirofumi Arai) for the crime based on some blood-stained clothing and a small cut on his finger. He initially claims innocence, but is forced into confession after being beaten by police and tortured for hours at a time.
Hakamada received a death sentence from Shizuoka District Court Judge Kumamoto (Masato Hagiwara) and lost several appeals in the decades that followed. Kumamoto, now a lawyer,...
- 4/2/2010
- Nippon Cinema
The first trailer for Sabu’s next film, Kanikosen (The Cannery Boat), is now online. Our friend in Japan, Jason Gray, said it was coming. He gave me the heads up last week that the site had gone live and it was only a matter of time before there would be a trailer available. I was ever vigilant, checking the site each day since then, looking for the trailer to come up. Trust it to come up during the day while I was at work.
Japanese filmmaker Sabu is returning to the director’s chair after a three-year hiatus with an adaptation of Takiji Kobayashi’s famed literary work The Crab Cannery Ship (Kanikosen). Nightmare Detective star Ryuhei Matsuda will play the lead role of a sailor who spearheads a mutiny against the oppressive ruling regime on a crab fishing and processing vessel. Matsuda is joined by cast members Hidetoshi Nishijima and Hirofumi Arai.
Japanese filmmaker Sabu is returning to the director’s chair after a three-year hiatus with an adaptation of Takiji Kobayashi’s famed literary work The Crab Cannery Ship (Kanikosen). Nightmare Detective star Ryuhei Matsuda will play the lead role of a sailor who spearheads a mutiny against the oppressive ruling regime on a crab fishing and processing vessel. Matsuda is joined by cast members Hidetoshi Nishijima and Hirofumi Arai.
- 2/15/2009
- by Mack
- Screen Anarchy
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