Tag - film

 
 

FILM

Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA
Oct 26, 2016
Stars sparkle on the red carpet of the Tokyo International Film Festival 2016
The 29th Tokyo International Film Festival marked its opening Tuesday afternoon with a traditional red carpet ceremony that was heavy on Asian stars and filmmakers.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 26, 2016
The digital age of relationships and filmmaking
Shunji Iwai has long stood on ambivalent terrain. To Western audiences he's known as a prolific and brilliant auteur, but without the overseas cachet of others such as Takeshi Kitano. To his fans in Japan, he's viewed as the spokesman for the socially conscious hipster — the one director who manages...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Oct 26, 2016
Meryl Streep is off key and on point as 'Florence Foster Jenkins' opens TIFF
In her newest movie, "Florence Foster Jenkins," Meryl Streep can barely carry a tune as she squeaks and squawks her way through classic opera music. But she wouldn't necessarily consider that an insult.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Oct 25, 2016
Stars come out for Tokyo film festival opening
The 29th Tokyo International Film Festival marked its opening Tuesday afternoon with a traditional red carpet ceremony that was heavy on Asian stars and filmmakers.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 20, 2016
Tokyo International Film Festival welcomes audiences to the animated world of Mamoru Hosoda
The Tokyo International Film Festival, whose 29th edition unspools from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3, offers something for everyone — from golden oldies in the Japanese Classics section to films for kids in the new Youth section. However, as Japan's biggest film festival, as well as one of the most important...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 19, 2016
TIFF takes viewers beyond the comfort zone
While sifting through the movies submitted for this year's Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), competition programming director Yoshihiko Yatabe says he noticed a recurring theme.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 19, 2016
Japan's eclectic collection of choice
The Tokyo International Film Festival offers a great once-in-a-year opportunity to see new and classic Japanese films with English subtitles. The sheer quantity on offer — more than 50 titles in the main sections alone — can be overwhelming, though. Here are samples from my own must-see list.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 19, 2016
There's always drama at home
The most intriguing titles at this year's TIFF celebrate geographical diversity while homing in on social issues of modern life. Whether the characters are in Brazil or Croatia or Japan, or the filmmakers are from Romania, India or China, their stories feature the struggles of everyday people, some of...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 16, 2016
When to speak and when to shut up: the art of a Japanese 'benshi'
The silent films screened in Japan from the 1920s to '40s were never completely silent. Katsudo-shashin benshi, or benshi for short, delivered live narration that provided everything an audience might need to appreciate a film — from commentary to translation. Derived from Japan's many narrative art...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 13, 2016
Despite controversy, the Busan International Film Festival is as strong as ever
The 21st edition of Asia's biggest movie event, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which took place from Oct. 6 to 15, almost didn't happen; or, at least, that's the story being told. Actually, considering how important the festival is for South Korea's movie industry, one of the most vital...
CULTURE / Film
Sep 27, 2016
French director Jean-Jacques Beineix to head jury for 29th Tokyo International Film Festival
More than 200 films will be screened, with 16 taking part in the competition section, at this year's Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) running from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 21, 2016
'The Pervert's Guide to Ideology': Philosophy outside the ivory tower
Love him or hate him, you have to at least credit Slovenian philosopher and critical theorist Slavoj Zizek for trying.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / Wide Angle
Sep 14, 2016
Director Naomi Kawase celebrates her hometown with the Nara Film Festival
Film festivals can be the product of one person's passion, but that person is rarely a regular invitee to that most prestigious of festivals: Cannes. Director Naomi Kawase, who has both won Cannes prizes and sat on Cannes juries, fits that description as the executive director of the Nara International...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Sep 10, 2016
Producer Christian Storms: 'The currency of my life is experiences, not money'
American actor/director on the differences between Japanese and Hollywood productions and working as a guide.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 8, 2016
The UNHCR Refugee Film Festival finds increased focus on Europe for 11th edition
The status of refugees and displaced people continues to worsen since the European refugee crisis first gained widespread attention in 2015. In the news refugees may be portrayed as powerless victims, but the tremendous strength they show in taking strides toward a better future is anything but. The...
CULTURE / Film / Wide Angle
Sep 7, 2016
The Yufuin Film Festival: a movie paradise on Earth
Before attending my first Yufuin Film Festival, which was held Aug. 24-28 this year, I wondered what attracted Japanese film folk — from nationally known actors to directors of zero-budget documentaries — to this town in northern Kyushu.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History
Aug 10, 2016
Filmmaker depicts father's slaying by 'war yakuza' in debut feature film
Shoichiro Sasaki, 80, never forgets Aug. 1, 1943 — the day he witnessed his father, a free-thinking journalist, die under extraordinary circumstances before his own eyes.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jul 9, 2016
Decision to turn Sulu into gay 'Star Trek' character 'unfortunate': Takei
While veteran "Star Trek" actor George Takei might be the inspiration to make fan favorite Hikaru Sulu gay in the rebooted franchise's new film, he called the decision "really unfortunate," media outlets reported Friday.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan