tokyo drifting cinema

Japanese film fests crisis

2006-07-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

Cash-strapped local government cans international film festival　July 28, 2006

YUBARI, Hokkaido -- The mayor of Yubari announced Friday that the Hokkaido city would stop holding a popular international film festival because the municipal government was strapped for cash.

The Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival has been held in February since 1990, showing dozens of movies from Japan and across the world. But Yubari Mayor Kenji Goto and officials have decided to stop holding the festival, saying the city should concentrate on economic reconstruction. 　*snip*　

The 17th festival held in February this year cost about 100 million yen, of which the municipal government paid about 65 million yen.

Tokyo film fest to add music, game content
July 12, 2006

TOKYO -- The Japanese government is planning to expand the Tokyo International Film Festival beginning next year to include music, game software and comics in addition to movies, hoping to give added impetus to the nation's cultural content industry. Announcing the project -- which will turn the event from a film festival into an international content carnival -- trade and industry minister Toshihiro Nikai said Tuesday that it should be used to showcase the best elements of Japanese creativity. "Total sales in the Japanese content industry are expected to surpass ¥20 trillion ($1.75 billion) in 2015, accounting for a considerable part of the market," he said. "Japan needs to consider boosting its service industry as well as the manufacturing sector."

Tokyo Fanta hides in black hole
July 9, 2006

TOKYO -- The Tokyo Intl. Fantastic Film Festival, known locally as Tokyo Fanta, is shutting its doors after 21 editions.

The fest, which long unspooled in October with the Tokyo Intl. Film Festival, is going on what fest rep Yusuke Muramoto described as "a temporary suspension ... to reassess the festival's purpose and goals." *snip*　

I've seen something in July

2006-07-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

I saw films on screen in this July;

"Shiroi Yubi no Tawamure" (1972, Japan) Toru Murakawa
starring Ichiro Araki *Nikkatsu Roman Porn
--It's deadly cool.

"Kiraware Matsuko no Issho" (2006, Japan) Tetsuya Nakajima
aka Memories of Matsuko
--too much fake, I feel, boring tragedy by unfeminist view.

"Gerumanium no Yoru" (2006, Japan) Tatsushi Omori
The Whispering of t he Gods
--something artstic but uncomfortable.

28th Pia Film Festival
--enjoyable. (on the other hand I fear that Japanese Indie filmmakers tend to prefer well-made entertainment to artistic.)

Ernst Lubitsch's Silent Comedies (1917 -1921) accompany by piano
Das fidele Gefängnis / Die Austernprinzessin / Ich möchte kein Mann sein / Die Bergkatze
--I was so happy to see! excessive slapsticks.

"MIDNIGHT MOVIES From the Margin to the Mainstream"
Stuart Samuels (Canada/2005/86min/documentary)
--That's one of the reason why I can't help but love film.

"MI:3"
--frustrated. Naturally one-man show of Tom.

"Pirates of the Caribbean - Deadman's Chest"
--unsatisfactory. Villains should be more cool and attractive.

Nekome Kozo (2006, Japan)

2006-07-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

I saw "Nekome Kozo" directed by Noboru Iguchi at Shibuya Eurospace on 11th June.

This live action feature based on the comic by Kazuo Umezu.
Iguchi had directed previously "Snake Girl" (Madara no shojo) - one of the movies in the Kazuo Umezu's Horror Theater (Umezu Kazuo: kyofu gekijo).

Literal English title of "Nekome Kozo" is "Cat's eye Kid", I suppose.
That's name of leading character who is monstrous creature.
It's a sort of outsider not enemy of people.
This antihero seems lonesome and perversity.
And then he helps people when Gyorori attack the village.

My impression on this low budget - not so high VFX - bizarre film is not bad.
Actually it was very touched for me in the same sense as Tim Burton and John Waters.
There are not only obsession with the freaks but also proud of inferior.

That's the way I like
even though someone may say it's childish or cultish.

"Nekome Kozo" Japanese official site
trailer

My leafy month

2006-07-06T20:17:00.002-07:00

I must excuse myself for absence from this drifting blog.

That month was not only busy but also productive for me.
I had done something for Japanese film what I can do in my place. And then I took a vacation for trip to somewhere warm.

I become aware that everywhere I can meet friends who love film. This is possible at both of on / off line.
Hoping you wait for my posts leisurely.

I'll continue to take it easy, slow but steady, for someone who insists on films and keeps trying.

Hana yorimo nao (2006, Japan)

2006-06-05T21:18:00.000-07:00

I saw Hirokazu Kore-eda's newest "Hana yorimo nao".
This is his first period drama. Young samurai seeks to vengeance for his father. However this anti-heroic story describes every day people and small peace in a tenement.
It proves clearly anti-violence and tenderness.
I think that seems quite well made. (or probably it may say too much well made.)

This heartwarming story starred strong casts was welcomed by audience.
The film slotted in 8th of weekend Box office ranking.

Japanese Official site http://kore-eda.com/hana/

R.I.P. Shohei Imamura(79, Japan, Dir.)

2006-05-30T01:17:00.000-07:00

I've got sad news.

Today, Shohei Imamura passed away because of metastatic liver tumor.

Rest in peace...

meet Pink eiga at Higashinakano

2006-05-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

I went to Porepore Higashinakano for catching double feature of recent Pink eiga. (That's valuable and reasonable program!)
Porepore Higashinakano: R18 LOVE CINEMA SHOWCASE VOL.1

On friday night, it was crowded (nearly fullhouse), more than eighty people from 20's to 40's, including 10% of young female.

Director and leading actors appeared before screening. Audience got a warm friendly feeling from their talk. They are young (20's-30's) and casual, lively in jeans. Of course, actresses are so cute in dress

I saw these title.
Very simply, sex comedies spun by unique antihero.

「悶絶!!電車男」2005年／監督：友松直之
Monzetsu!! Densha Otoko (2005/Dir. Naoyuki Tomomatsu)

a parody of blockbuster "Densha Otoko / Train Man"

「ヒモのひろし」 2004年／監督：田尻裕司
Himo no Hiroshi/The Strange Saga of Hiroshi the Freeloading Sex Machine
(2004/Dir. Yuji Tajiri)

Very interesting!
Strange, charming and warm love story about a cheerful man Hiroshi and unique single-mother Haruka with offbeat fellows.

It's sunny, open and natural just like children playing games or animals operate by instinct. They have sex as if they have conversation, although those sex scene are vividly and not seems pervert.

I feel that's a sort of hymn for human beings. This almost slapstick is very different from usual Tajiri's style but I like very much.
There are many impressive long shots on riverbank and beach.

Effective motifs are their hobbies -he become enthusiastic　cricket fighting while she enjoy playing djembe (African drum) as her fancy takes one.
These elements might show return to primitive and yearning for nature.

screened at Nippon Connection 2006

-in Japanese-

東中野でピンク映画に会いましょう

ポレポレ東中野にて最近のピンク映画を２本立てで見て来ました。（とても、お得で貴重な企画ですね）
Porepore Higashinakano: R18 LOVE CINEMA SHOWCASE VOL.1

金曜夜なので、かなり混んでいて、80人以上の入りで20代から40代くらいの年齢層、若い女性も１割くらいいました。
上映前に、監督と出演者による舞台挨拶がありました。ほのぼのした雰囲気でした。皆さん若くて気さくな感じで、ジーンズ姿でした。もちろん、女優さんはドレスでかわいかったですよ。

２作品を見ました。手短に言うと、風変わりな主人公をめぐるセックス・コメディということで。

「悶絶!!電車男」2005年／監督：友松直之
ヒット作「電車男」のパロディ

「ヒモのひろし」 2004年／監督：田尻裕司

とても面白かったです。
陽気な男・ひろしとユニークなシングル・マザーのはるかと、ちょっととぼけた仲間たちによる、奇妙でチャーミングで温かいラブストーリー。
明るくて開放的で自然な、まるで、子供たちが遊びに興じるような、あるいは、動物たちが本能に従うような、そんな感じでした。彼らはちょうど会話をするように性交をして、それらのシーンは活き活きとしていて、いやらしく見えませんでした。

ひとつの人間賛歌のようにも思いました。かなりスラップスティックで、いつもの田尻監督の作風とは全然ちがっていますが、とても好きです。
河原や海辺でのロングショットが印象的でした。

登場人物たちの趣味が効果的なモチーフになっていました。はるかは気の向くままにジャンベ（アフリカの太鼓）を叩くのを楽しみ、その一方で、ひろしはコオロギ相撲に熱中していきます。これらの要素は原始回帰や自然への憧れを示しているかのようにも見えますね。

Nippon Connection 2006(*1)で上映
(*1)ドイツのフランクフルトで毎年４月に行われている、日本映画を上映する映画祭。

RIP Cherd Songsri (Thai, director)

2006-05-21T19:20:00.000-07:00

Legendary film-master Cherd Songsri succumbs to cancer at 75

Cherd Songsri, a legendary director, was dead on 20 May.

Rest in peace.

A cheerful gang turns the earth (2005, Japan)

2006-05-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

I saw Tetsu Maeda's A cheerful gang turns the earth based on a popular novel by Kotaro Isaka at Cine Quanon Yurakucho(*1).

Crime comedy with a bank robbery consisted by three men and a woman. There are many gimmicks and less thrill. However, at least it's enjoyable for colorful images helped by computer.

It may say cheerful enough as a recent Japanese film. But I don't know that's cheerful enough to turns the earth.

(*1)Cine Quanon Yurakucho is one of my favorite arthouse cinema nearby Ginza.
Because the cinema has high ceiling and huge screen although tenanted in building.
And also it's very dark and cozy during screening.
In fact, now "A cheerful gang turns the earth" on screen at three area-other cinema are in Shibuya and Ikebukuro - in Tokyo. However I like to see in my favorite cinema.

Still Paradise(2005,Japan)

2006-05-18T03:14:00.000-07:00

Last night, I saw independent DV "Still Paradise" directed by Sako Dai as his second feature, at late show screening in Ikebukuro Cinema Rosa. It was made with homevideo camera and nonprofessional actors in low budget. Director and main actors were born in 1971-1972.

Unfortunately, a road movie which follows bored young men, might bore viewer. However it may say there are some interesting elements. Under the influence of "Stranger than Paradise" and "Easy Rider", but this indicates closed mind of Japanese spoiled youth although they are placed in modern society of post 911. Full story is covered with discommunication.

RIP Takahiro Tamura (77, actor, Japan)

2006-05-17T20:39:00.000-07:00

The news of Takahiro Tamura's sudden death was revealed by his family on 17 May.

Takahiro Tamura is known as a roll of Shintaro Katsu's partner for "Heitai Yakuza series(Hoodlum Soldier and the C.O.)" in 60's . Also he played in Nagisa Oshima's "Ai no borei (Empire of Passion)"(1978). He contributed for works of Keisuke Kinoshita, Yasuzo Masumura, Kohei Oguri and so on.
He had 164 films from 1954 to 2006, often played unique and intellectual character in vast genre such literature, period, action, melodrama etc.

By the way his father Tsumasaburo Bando was great period drama star. However Takahiro Tamura paid special attention to not imitate his father even though everyone expected. His two young brothers are also actors.

Rest in peace

Love of May (2004/Taiwan,China)

2006-05-16T18:05:00.000-07:00

I saw Hsu Hsiao-Ming's Love of May at late show in Cine Saison Shibuya.

A boy meets a girl story between Taipei and Harbin located northeast in Mainland, featuring a Taiwanese rock band MAYDAY. Main actors are Taiwanese Wilson Chen Bo-Lin and Chinese new face Liu Yi-Fei. It maybe suitable for teenage fun.
It's created by a team of "Blue Gate Crossing"(2002/Taiwan). Among Taiwanese New Cinema, Hsu Hsiao-Ming's 1st feature "Dust of Angels"(1992) was released at Japanese arthouse cinema in 1994.

Unfortunately, the film shows surface optimism between two china. Perhaps this prefer indicating cultural elements -suchlike internet, music, traditional opera, studies- transcending political borderline, to telling seriously about Romeo and Juliet. And also this shows transition of generations depended on historical circumstances.

Heroine living in Harbin had unknown grandfather. He was born in China and sended as soldier in late 1940's, and spent his civil life untill death in Taiwan. Tian Feng played this roll that shows feeling of homesickness and separated identification.
Tian Feng is about 70-80 years old, veteran known as a supporting actor from Shaw Brother to Golden Havest and others.

Why is Period film enchanting?

2006-05-16T02:09:00.000-07:00

I used be to be not interested in Period film so-called Jidaigeki when I was younger than now. I was under the impression that Period film is stereotyped, too serious (or too much entertainment), and boring to see in this modern time, just like history study or fossil.

But, I was wrong. It's very interesting and lively.
In fact, I've enjoyed to see many kinds of period films before I was aware. And then, I like not only Japanese Jidaigeki but also other Asian Period films -Chinese made in Hong kong or Taiwan (including genius King Hu's, Shaw Brothers' stuff, youthful 80's, mushrooms in early 90's etc), Korean, in addition recently I got several VCDs of Malay.

I'm wondering why is Period film enchanting. Because there are stars in gorgeous costumes and decoration ...that's product of the studio system...distinguished heroes and heroines in exciting stories...skillfully action scene or amazing dramaturgy...fully exotic atmosphere(*1)...and so on. There are plentiful things to enjoy. Sometimes much ageless than modern drama.

Moreover, I think that charm of Period film is distance from the real which surround viewer, even if based on true story or filmmakers try to describe realistically. That's glamorous of fiction. The art of connecting fiction to real, is the magic of filmmaking. Other hand, it may say Period film is often allegorical and universal.

Now I'm sure that I can enjoy Period film even if not familiar with history. Though, of course, historical knowledge is much help.

By the way, all sorts of region(*2) has each period film, hasn't it?
These are based on historical facts, epic, folklore. I think that there are such background anywhere.(*3)
Also, of course, totally imaginary period film can exist. (*4)

(*1)That's one of a reason why do foreigners like period film.

(*2)Can I put words suchlike country/society/ethnic/culture ?

(*3)Excuse me, I've forgotten Israel's special case. I have no idea about Israelite Period film. Just guessing Jewish history something like that.

(*4)Moreover, according to circumstances, fictional ostentation Period film has been made as propaganda sometimes in somewhere.

What's going on Asian cinema and Malaysia

2006-05-14T12:23:00.000-07:00

In this new century, Asian cinema situation has faced transformation. It's interesting especially South East Asia. Reading these notable artcles.

East Goes West, West Goes East (by Philip Cheah) from BigO worldwide
It shows a viewpoint of the relation between market and product,

there is a deep imbalance in the global film culture

Rethinking Cinemas of Asia: Preliminary Thoughts (by Rolando Tolentino) from Criti Cine
It is informative about background of Cinemas and audience.

By the way, recently Amir Muhammad's "The Last Communist" banned by Malaysian government after it had been approved by the Malaysian Film Censorship Board. It's mortifying that unique documentary. The film has screened at the Berlin -Forum section, Hong Kong, Singapore and invited to Vancouver.

Film on Communist Leader Banned on Shaky Grounds

Malaysia bans film on 1950s rebel chief (Telegraph UK)

Approved film on Chin Peng is now banned

Amir Muhammad's blog

fathi aris omar compiled links to relevant articles in his blog, Patah Balek.
(include wrote in Malay and English, from newspapers to blogs)

And then, Yasmin Ahmad's Gubra(is the follow-up to Sepet) has been heavily criticized by Muslim side.

Yasmin Ahmad's blog

The Star online: Moving with the times
interview with Mohd Hussain Shafie(National Film Censorship Board)

In addition, other points of view on Malaysian cinema from Criti Cine,

Art, Entertainment and Politics (by Gaik Cheng Khoo)

Voices of Malaysian Cinema (by Hassan Muthalib)

Plural Identities: Reinventions & Revisions in Malaysian Cinema (by Vinita Ramani)

also, from Malaysian subcultural site kakiseni.com

Whose Film Is It Anyway?
Tough questions at the 5th Asian Film Symposium: What makes a film independent? Who decides if a film is Malaysian enough? (Sep, 2005)

Strange festival called Cannes

2006-05-14T10:55:00.000-07:00

Especially it's weird on this year. It has whiffs of money from not only French companies also Hollywood. There are "Cannes Code" something like that.

Anyway, About Cannes topics, UK journalism seems better than nothing. (I can't trust media adhered to industry such like Japanese, Korean. And US journalism seems insensitive except celebraty matter)

The Indipendent
Cannes confidential: a preview of the Palme d'Or contenders
Cannes: a user's guide

The Guadian
Cannes 2006 Articles
(Headlines update)

By the way, I'd like to bet Pedro Costa.

Wait and see..

*reference
CANNES FOR BEGINNERS(by Jérémy Segay)

Around the world cinema in a weekend

2006-05-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

Actually I'm interested in any regional cinema as well as Asian and Japanese, with the exception of Hollywood blockbusters.

On this weekend, I met French(by Austrian), Mexcan, and New Zeelander with Japanese Subtitles. Each of them are impressive. Because of universality rather than locality,
also they layer the present over the past, and follow personal relationships against intolerance. Of course, they take their own way and style of filmmaking.

Hidden(2005/France/Michael Haneke)
Shibuya: Eurospace
Tremendous mastermind. stare and read the film.
To see unconsciously surface is no make sence. Moreover unconsciousness is not innocent in this world.
I think that this is not only European issue but only worldwide, for example, Japanese have original sin among Asian countries.

Temporada de patos / Duck Season(2004/Mexico/ Fernando Eimbcke)
(debut feature)
Shibuya:Theater Image Forum
I like this Mexican grandson of Ozu Yasujiro, with wry and warm monochrome shots.

No.2(2005/New Zealand/Toa Fraser)
(debut feature)
Roppongi: Oribe Hall (New Zealand Film Festival 2006)
big fat family drama through individual delicacy.

Nikkatsu Roman Porno v.s. Toei Pinky Violence

2006-05-13T07:52:00.000-07:00

I went to Cinemavera Shibuya for "Laughing Porno and Ecstasy of Comedy" program.

At this evening, attendance is about ninety people (mostly male, several 20's, 30's-60's, and a few young female)

This screening program is composed of daily dabble feature by Nikkatsu Roman Porno and Toei Pinky Violence. Very interesting. It shows clearly diffrence color of each studio.

性と愛のコリーダ（1976／日活／監督：小沼勝）
Sei to ai no korida 1976/Nikkatsu/dir. Konuma Masaru
(named as a parody of Oshima's "Ai no Korida (In the Realm of the Senses)"1976)
a parody on Nikkatsu Roman Porno itself (seems like Meta-structure).
mixed edting of three stories -confinement / youthful threesome / slapstick comedy
I feel that is like a bonus track with star actresses. This charming venture is enjoyable.

After screening, talk session with Konuma Masaru and Nakata Hideo was held. Konuma seems calm and warm gentleman as well as Nakata. Nakata has been film enthusiast including Roman Porno since student, so he entered to Nikkatsu in 1985 and had worked as assistant director of Konuma. Nakata also directed a documentary film on Konuma, named "Sadistic and Masochistic"(2001). Their relationship seems intimate and they pay their respects each other. Seems like master and his good disciple.

Konuma asked,
-Now you are active even in Hollywood, is your experience in Nikkatsu useful?
Nakata answered,
-Well, I'm regarded as specialist of horror, it's simmilar to SM which we've worked if I think about it. Both formula is based on that actresses grimace, with fear or pain.

エロ将軍と二十一人の愛妾　（1972／東映／監督：鈴木則文）
Ero shogun to nijyuichi nin no aisho 1972/Toei/dir. Suzuki Norifumi
Lustful shogun and his twentyone mistresses(informal literal English title)
a parody on Toei period drama with campy taste and anarchism. influence of 70's free sex
colorful and joyful caricature.
In the theater, there is Suzuki Norifumi himself as one of audience.

Heart, Beating in the Dark(2005,Japan)

2006-05-12T08:12:00.000-07:00

I saw Shunichi Nagasaki's Heart, Beating in the Dark(2005) at Shibuya Cine Amuse. (April 8- May 19, late show only)
tonight's attendance about twenty, even shares of both sex, mostly 20's and a few 40's

Japanese site http://www.yamiutsu.com/, trailer
Screened at Vancouver film festival 2005, opening film of Rotterdam film festival 2006

It may say a challenging film which mixture of multi-dimension.
Basic story tells young couple run away because they killed their baby.
There are three dimension in this film -footages from original 8mm version in 1982/ polyphonic remade version (parallel circuit of new runaway young couple and reunited former young couple in ther middle age )/ shooting process (interview on actors, rehearsals).
However, how to show the story is very sensitive to their(director and actors') own issue.
I hear their murmur which told "look back rashness of youth" and "remember what state of mind we are in at first".
It's precious that shows facts life cannot be redone so life is beautiful even in any case. They tell by images and editing, not lean on lines.

opening this weekend

2006-05-12T02:00:00.000-07:00

Fifteen films will be open on this weekend in tokyo.
nine Japanese and six foreigner (including two Asian)

I'm interested in these titles.

A cheerful gang turns the earth / Tetsu Maeda
Distributor: Shochiku
Japanese site http://www.yo-gang.com/
Screened at Yubari fantastic film festival 2006
Crime story

Mamiya Kyodai / Yoshimitsu Morita
Production, Distributor: Asmik Ace Entertainment
Japanese site http://mamiya-kyoudai.com/
ordinary life of two brothers who are full-grown but not married, they try to get girlfriends...

Still Paradise / Sako Dai
indipendent (2nd feature)
Japanese site http://www.palomine.jp/
off beat road movie with two men and a girl

Also, Johnnie To's Throw Down will be open finally!
Japanese site http://www.judo-ryukobo.com/

And then, I should not to miss retrospectives of Japanese masters,
National film center: Written by Kaneto Shindo
Sanbyakunin Gekijyo: Tasaka Tomotaka

I'm happy for screens keep me busy. Other hand, I have to make time to see dvd & vcd at mostly midnight. Actually lots of shaw brothers' are waiting in my shelf.

TSUKAMOTO Shinnya's new

2006-05-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

Press confrence about Tsukamoto's new film on 11 May

Akumu Tantei (Japanese title, means Nightmare detective)
Director, Script: Tsukamoto Shinnya
Cast: Matsuda Ryuhei, Ando Masaobu, Hitomi, Osugi Ren, Harada Yoshio
Bizarre detective story
theatrical release in Japan : 2007 spring
Presented by Movie-eye Entertainment

YAZAKI Hitoshi's Strawberry shortcakes

2006-05-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

Preview screeing for press held on 10 May.

Strawberry shortcakes
Japanese site: http://www.strawberryshortcakes.net/
Director. YAZAKI Hitoshi
cast: Ikewaki Chizuru, Nakamura Yuku, Ando Masanobu, Kase Ryo
Based on a comic by Nananan Kiriko
love stories about diffrent types of four women
theatrical release in Japan: this fall

I'm looking forward to this his 4th feature because I've really loved his Sangatsu no raion - March Comes in Like a Lion(1991).

Pink salon koshoku 5 nin onna(1978)

2006-05-11T09:03:00.000-07:00

I went to TANAKA Noboru retorospective in Laputa Asagaya. almost full house (about fourty people including 25% of female audience)

The story about Five women followed sex work and their shop owner. They seems like nymphs untill half of the film. But at the rest half, the film turned sorrowful for life of emptiness.
Adapted for moden story from 17 century great writer IHARA Saikaku's.

The art of lighting is interesting.

fascinating Pink Eiga & Nikkatsu Roman Porno

2006-05-11T02:41:00.000-07:00

This month, there are some screening programs of Pink Eiga & Nikkatsu Roman Porno at arthouse cinemas in Tokyo.

Laputa Asagaya: TANAKA Noboru retrospective
April 29- June 23, late show, 8 films of 70's including The Abe Sada Story(1975), Watcher in the Attic (1976)

Cinema Artone Shimokitazawa: KUMASHIRO Tatsumi retrospective
May 6- June 9, 15 films including Monzetsu donden gaeshi!(1977), The Woman with Red Hair (1979)

Porepore Higashinakano: R18 LOVE CINEMA SHOWCASE VOL.1

May 20- June 2, 8films selected from 2004-2005 including IMAOKA Shinji's Lunch Box(2004) and TAJIRI Yuji's recent works

Cinemavera Shibuya: Laughing Porno and Ecstasy of Comedy

May 13- June 2, 17 films from 70's - 80's compiled Toei "eroguro" 70's(Suzuki Norifumi), the essence of Nikkatsu Roman Porono and New wave sneaked into Pink 80's (early Kurosawa Kiyoshi, Suo Masayuki).

It's very delightful because these are usually showed as limited (there are a few cinemas for porno only at downtown).

In fact, I like this kind of films though I'm not interested in erotic entertainment.
Just because genre films are made of plently of cinema esthetics.

To be honest, I prefer TANAKA's The Abe Sada Story(1975) to In the Realm of the Senses(1976) by OSHIMA based on the same true story. It seems more beautiful and ultimate from other point of view.

Also, I like passionate works of KUMASHIRO. He made breathtaking films with magical long takes and wry humor.

And then, I keep eyes on directors of our time. Especially I'm very impressed on TAJIRI Yuji who tries to describe sensitive drama.

I saw "The Eye 3"

2006-05-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

I saw "The Eye 3"(*) by Pang brothers at Shibuya Cine Amuse. Because today is wednesday that is paid 1000yen as weekly discount. (screened at late show only, tonight's number of audience about ten people)

(*)"The Eye 3": Japanese distributor named this title.
Original title: Gin gwai 10
English title: THE EYE-INFINITY
2005/Hong Kong, shooted in Thai & Hong kong, language (mainly) Cantonese
Cast: CHEN Bo-lin (Blue Gate Crossing), Kate Yeung(20 30 40), Isabella Leung(Bug Me Not, Isabella), Bongkoj Khongmalai(Tom yum goong)

Actually horror is not my favorite. However, this film is not scared but little bit funny like comedy, I feel.
Probably they might show a kind of parody on horror. Like roller coasters which showed at the beginning of film, there are too much excitements caused by exaggerated music.

Even though, I 'm not disappointed, just so so. It is interesting in its own way, if I was a teenager who likes movie with popcorns and idol stars.