Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.
Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA
Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group Special Thanks to Clint Weiler Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new Blu-ray of Daiei's BLIND BEAST (盲獣, Mōjū, 1969), a grotesque portrait of the bizarre relationship between a blind sculptor and his captive muse, adapted from a short story from Japan's foremost master of the macabre, Edogawa Rampo (Horrors of Malformed Men, The Black Lizard, Caterpillar). An artist's model, Aki (Mako Midori), is abducted, and awakens in a dark warehouse studio whose walls are decorated with outsized women's body parts - eyes, lips, legs and breasts - and dominated by two recumbent giant statues of male and female nudes. Her kidnapper introduces himself as Michio (Eiji Funakoshi), a blind sculptor whom she
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Source: Well Go USA, ddPR Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of the acomedy-drama MIDNIGHT DINER (深夜食堂, Shēnyè shítáng, 2019). Based on the celebrated manga series Shin’ya Shokudo by Yaro Abe and previously adapted into the critically-acclaimed TV series in Japan, Korea and China, the cinematic version of MIDNIGHT DINER is set in a little restaurant in an inconspicuous lane of Shanghai, Tony Leung Ka-Fai (ONCE UPON A TIME IN HONG KONG) makes his directorial debut and plays the leading role of a man who makes a set of special food for each guest who visits the restaurant and listens everyone's story. MIDNIGHT DINER also stars Deng Chao (SHADOW), Eddie Peng (OPERATION MEKONG), and Vision Wei (LOST IN WHITE).
Photo courtesy of Japan Society NY.
Photo courtesy of Japan Society NY. North America’s largest festival of contemporary Japanese cinema presents a dynamic slate of 38 films streaming online throughout the U.S. and screening in-person at Japan Society in NYC, introduces New York Premiere of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s WIFE OF A SPY and offers annual CUT ABOVE Award to star Yu AoiSource: Japan Society NY press releaseOfficial Site: JAPAN CUTS 2021: Festival of New Japanese FilmSpecial Thanks to Allison Rodman Japan Society announces the full lineup for the 15th annual JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film, the largest festival of its kind in North America, set for August 20-September 2 as a hybrid online and in-person event. Continuing its annual mission of showcasing a diverse slate of the best and most exciting films coming out of Japan today, the summer festival will introduce a total of 27 features and 12 short films including
Photo courtesy of Film Movement.
Photo courtesy of Film Movement. Source: Film Movement, Foundry Communications press release Special Thanks to Michael Krause Photo courtesy of Film Movement. Singular auteur Koji Fukada (A GIRL MISSING, HARMONIUM) makes his first foray into episodic drama, adapting Mochiru Hoshisato’s popular manga into a limited-run series replete with his patently idiosyncratic and lively take on human nature, fatalism, and true love. THE REAL THING (本気のしるし, Honki no Shirushi, 2019) was an Official Selection at Cannes in 2020, and featured as part of a spotlight on Fukada’s career during last year’s Tokyo International Film Festival. SYNOPSIS After Tsuji (Win Morisaki), a floundering toy salesman, rescues Ukiyo (Kaho Tsuchimura), a mysterious woman whose car stalls on the train tracks, she inadvertently whisks him into an epic series of misadventures involving gangsters, strange interlopers, kidnapping and other sundry crimes.
Takashi Miike is back with the sequel, THE GREAT YOKAI WAR -GUARDIANS-. Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures. ©2021 The Great Yokai Wars Film Partners
Lee Won-tae’s THE DEVIL’S DEAL, Paul Andrew Williams’ BULL, Vincent Grashaw’s WHAT JOSIAH SAW, Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji’s THE DEER KING, Rob Jabbaz’s THE SADNESS, and Alexandre Bustillo & Julien Maury’s THE DEEP HOUSE are among the wealth of final titles announced Source: Fantasia press release Special Thanks to Kaila Hier, Pierre Corbeil and Andre Dubois The Fantasia International Film Festival announces a massive new assortment of feature films for its 25th edition, along with details on scheduled panels, talks, tributes, special events, and our esteemed juries. On top of our impressive virtual slate of films, all geo-locked to Canada, and in addition to our globally accessible streamed events, the upcoming festival will also feature a limited number of in-person screenings in Montreal. Fantasia begins August 5th with the World Premiere of Quebec zombie feature BRAIN FREEZE— following the August 4th special event screening
Photo courtesy of Toei. ⓒ2021 “Super Hero Senki” Production Committee ⓒIshimori Pro・TV Asahi・ADK EM・Toei ⓒ2021 TV Asahi・Toei AG・Toei
Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: http://movie-rider50-ranger45.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Alicia Ashby A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with press notes and promotional art for their new movie, KAMEN RIDER SABER + ZENKAIGER SUPERHERO SENKI (セイバー＋ゼンカイジャー スーパーヒーロー戦記, Seibā + Zenkaijā Sūpāhīrō Senki). Description To this very day, as the era changes from Showa to Heisei to Reiwa, the much-admired Kamen Rider series and Super Sentai series continue to inspire dreams, courage, hope, and the spirit of justice. In 2021, these two great heroic lineages, treasured by young and old alike, will celebrate twin anniversaries: 50 years of Kamen Rider and 45 years of Super Sentai. This celebration is the film KAMEN RIDER SABER + ZENKAIGER SUPERHERO SENKI, which will bring together Kamen Rider and Super Sentai to
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©2019 HYDRA FILM PARTNERS
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©2019 HYDRA FILM PARTNERS Source: Well Go USA, ddPR Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©2019 HYDRA FILM PARTNERS Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of the action-packed Japanese martial arts extravaganza HYDRA (ヒドラ, Hidora, 2021). Directed by Kensuke Sonomura (action director from the RESIDENT EVIL games, VENDETTA & DEGENERATION) and starring Masanori Mimoto (ENTER THE FAT DRAGON, DEATH NOTE), HYDRA co-stars newcomer Miu and Tasuku Nagase (IWANE: SWORD OF SERENITY). After retiring as an assassin, Takashi (Masanori Mimoto) leads a quiet life as a chef at a sushi bar, where he secretly watches over the daughter of a former associate. His peace is short-lived: soon, he is recruited for a final job that he simply can’t refuse. HYDRA debuts on Digital, Blu-ray (SLP: $19.98)
3y Film presents GHOST-CAT RHAPSODY, a new take on the classic ghost cat movies. Photo courtesy of 3Y Film. ©3Y Film
3y Film presents GHOST-CAT RHAPSODY, a new take on the classic ghost cat movies. Photo courtesy of 3Y Film. ©3Y Film Source: 3Y FilmSpecial Thanks to Avery Guerra A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE 3Y Film, makers of THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL and NEZURA 1964, have announced their next project...GHOST-CAT RHAPSODY (怪猫狂騒曲, Kaibyō Kyōsō Kyoku). Directed by Hiroto Yokokawa (THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL, NEZURA 1964), the film will be a musica/film collaboration with living icon Chumei Michiaki Watanabe, the composer for such classic series as KIKAIDA, GREAT MAZINGER and GORENGER! GHOST-CAT RHAPSODY is a fresh take on the classic legend of the ghost cat. The popular horror tale was once popular with Japoanese studios, who released dozens of movies such as THE GHOST CAT AND THE MYSTERIOUS SHAMISEN (1938), GHOST CAT OF NABESHIME (1949), THE GHOST CAT OF
Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA
Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group Special Thanks to Clint Weiler Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new Blu-ray of Daiei's GIANTS AND TOYS (巨人と玩具, Kyojin to Gangu, 1958), a sharp and snappy corporate satire revolving around the ruthless machinations of a group of admen working in the confectionary industry. Masumura's muse Ayako Wakao (THE BLUE SKY MAIDEN, RED ANGEL) stars as Otsuya, the daughter of a rich merchant, who is tempted by her lover, Shinsuke, a lowly employee of her father's, to elope. During their flight, Otsuya's beauty attracts the gaze of Seikichi, a mysterious master tattooist who sees her pristine white skin as the perfect canvas for his art. The image of the large demonic spider that he emblazons across Otsuya's back marks her as the
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©2020 Beimo Film LLC
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©2020 Beimo Film LLC Source: Well Go USA, ddPR Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©2020 Beimo Film LLC Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of THE PAPER TIGERS, a homage to feel-good martial arts films like THE KARATE KID. The audience-pleasing film shows how three dedicated kung fu disciples grew into washed-up, middle-aged men—now one kick away from pulling their hamstrings. But when their master is murdered, they must juggle their dead-end jobs, dad duties, and old grudges to avenge his death. The award-winning feature film debut of Director Tran Quoc Bao, THE PAPER TIGERS stars Alain Uy (HELSTROM, TRUE DETECTIVE), Ron Yuan (MULAN, MARCO POLO), and Mykel Shannon Jenkins (THE GODS, UNDISPUTED III: REDEMPTION). Following its world premiere at the Fantasia Film
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©Pineapple Movie Limited
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©Pineapple Movie Limited Source: Well Go USA, ddPR Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©Pineapple Movie Limited Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of the action-packed MMA thriller UNDERCOVER PUNCH & GUN (潛龍狙擊, Qián lóng jūjī, 2019). An undercover cop’s daring plan to infiltrate a notorious drug ring is severely compromised when a rival agency attacks mid-trade and kills the gang’s leader. Their cover blown, both teams are forced to unite and take to the high seas in an attempt to overthrow the ruthless smuggler behind it all. First-time co-directors Lui Koon Nam and Frankie Tam assembled an exciting cast – including Philip Ng (ENTER THE FAT DRAGON, CHASING THE DRAGON), Van Ness Wu (IP MAN 4, DRAGON BLADE), and Andy On (SPECIAL
Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA
Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Clint Weiler Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA WHEN A SEDUCTIVE WOMAN GETS A SPIDER TATTOO... SHE WANTS VENGEANCE ON THOSE WHO MISTREAT HER! Drawn from the pen of one of Japan's foremost writers of the 20th century, Junichiro Tanizaki (A Fool's Love, The Makioka Sisters), IREZUMI (刺青, 1966) is a stylish tale of lust, betrayal and revenge directed by Yasuzo Masumura (GIANTS AND TOYS, BLIND BEAST). Masumura's muse Ayako Wakao (THE BLUE SKY MAIDEN, RED ANGEL) stars as Otsuya, the daughter of a rich merchant, who is tempted by her lover, Shinsuke, a lowly employee of her father's, to elope. During their flight, Otsuya's beauty attracts the gaze of Seikichi, a mysterious master tattooist who sees her pristine white skin as the perfect canvas for his art. The image of the large demonic spider
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©CJ ENM Corp., Hive Media Corp.
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©CJ ENM Corp., Hive Media Corp. Source: Well Go USA, ddPR Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©CJ ENM Corp., Hive Media Corp. Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of DELIVER US FROM EVIL (다만 악에서 구하소서, Daman Akeseo Goohasoseo, 2020), an action-packed thriller about a government-agent-turned-mercenary forced to re-emerge when he learns a little girl closely connected to him is kidnapped. However, when an infamous gangster learns who has entered the country and is finally within his grasp, he goes on a bloody rampage to thwart the ex-agent’s rescue mission. Directed by Hong Won Chan (OFFICE), who infused the film with “impressively spectacular shootouts in the streets and a Bourne-level rooftop chase” (The Guardian), DELIVER US FROM EVIL stars Hwang Jung-min (THE WAILING, THE
© 2021 Planet Prince 2021 Production Committee
Official Site: https://yousayouji2021.pal-ep.com/ (Japan) Special Thanks to Avery Guerra The makers of PLANET PRINCE 2021 (遊星王子2021, Yūsei Oji 2021) have launched the official website for the film and released the first poster and trailer. PLANET PRINCE 2021 is a reboot of the tokusatsu classic PLANET PRINCE (known in America as PRINCE OF SPACE). The film is director by Minoru Kawasaki, the filmmaker behind special effects comedies such as EVERYTHING SINKS EXCEPT JAPAN, EARTH DEFENSE WIDOW and MONSTER SEAFOOD WARS. © 2021 Planet Prince 2021 Production Committee
Theatrical poster with new release date. Image courtesy of Shochiku. ©2020 “Damashie no Kiba” Film Partners
Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: shochiku.co.jp/ichidoshindemita (Japan) Originally scheduled for June 19, 2020, the drama KIBA: THE FANGS OF FICTION (騙し絵の牙, Damashie no Kiba) will now open in Japanese cinemas on March 26, 2021. Distributor Shochiku Co., Ltd. delayed the theatrical release due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The movie is adapted from the 2016 best-selling novel by Takeshi Shiota, and the main character in the story was based on actor Yo Oizumi (I AM A HERO, TOKYO GHOUL), who ended up playing the role in the film. Oizumi plays Teruya Hayami, the chief editor for a magazine that is on the brink of cancellation. With the support of his assistant Megumi Takano (Mayu Matsuoka), he goes to extreme lengths to save the magazine. For more information and high-res images, please see the KIBA: THE FANGS OF FICTION Info and Pics From
Yuriko Ishida, Koichi Sato and Hidetoshi Nishijima star in SILENT TOKYO, a suspenseful tale of a bomber threatening the city at Christmas. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. ©2020 Silent Tokyo Film Partners
Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: silent-tokyo.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei has provided information and high-res photos from their upcoming thriller, SILENT TOKYO (サイレント・トーキョー, Sairento Tōkyō), about a terrorist bomber that strikes Tokyo at Christmas. The movie is based on the novel Silent Tokyo And so this is Xmas by Takehiko Hata which was, in turn, inspired by the John Lennon/Yoko Ono song “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” that has been covered by artists all over the world. SILENT TOKYO is directed by Takafumi Hatano of the SP television and film series. The cast includes Koichi Sato (THE PROMISED LAND, FUKUSHIMA 50), Yuriko Ishida (HIT ME ANYONE ONE MORE TIME, AFTER THE MATINEE), Hidetoshi Nishijima (CAUTION, HAZARDOUS WIFE: THE MOVIE, SHIN ULTRAMAN), Tomoya Nakamura (MURDER AT SHIJINSO, KIBA: THE FANGS OF FICTION), Alice Hirose (HYOUKA: FORBIDDEN SECRETS, DDORAEMON THE MOVIE:
Tao Tsuchiya and EXILE NAOTO star in the new drama FOOD LUCK. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. ©2020 Shochiku Co., Ltd.
Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: movies.shochiku.co.jp/foodluck (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Feast your eyes on the ultimate yakiniku movie! An unprecedented first “eat-ertainment” film! Shochiku has provided information and large, high-res photos from FOOD LUCK (フード・ラック！食運, Fūdo Rakku! Shokuun). The movie is the directorial debut of Jimon Terakado from the comedy trio Dachou Club. Terakado is well known as a top TV celebrity foodie, with a particular love for beef, who has experience eating cuisine throughout Japan. With not only an eye for the food, but respect for the masters who make it, FOOD LUCK depicts both the love between mother and son and the comedy of life through yakiniku (grilled meat) and delicious food. EXILE NAOTO from the pop group EXILE and actress Tao Tsuchiya (ULTRAMAN ZERO: THE REVENGE OF BELIAL,
Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures. ©2020 “Runway” Film Partners
Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Site: kassouro-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Cries from the soul left by the “non-regular poet” who took his own life at 32.The poignant and extraordinary best-selling book of poems is now a film! Kadokawa Pictures has provided information and photos for their new film RUNWAY (滑走路, Kassoro). Tanka Poetry Collection (歌集 滑走路, Kashu Kassoro), by the poet Shinichiro Haghihara who died at the age of 32, serves as the basis for this drama. The movie is directed by Norichika Oba, who was an assistant director on SHIN GODZILLA (シン・ゴジラ, Shin Gojira, 2016) before helming the award-winning film CYCLOPS (キュクロプス, Kyukuropusu, 2019). STORY Midori (Asami Mizukawa), an illustrator in her late 30s, is anxious about her future. Meanwhile, Takano (Kodai Asaka), a young bureaucrat working for the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare,
Photo courtesy of Shochiku. ©Kanako Nishi/ ”SAKURA” Film Partners
Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: sakura-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku has provided information and large, high-res photos from their upcoming drama SAKURA (さくら), the story of an ordinary family that faces what seem to be devastating trials sent from God. But the family stays hopeful and mantains their sense of humor to overcome their troubles. SAKURA is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Naoki Prize winner Kanako Nishi. This will be the fourth big screen adaptation of Nishi’s work, following YELLOW ELEPHANT (きいろいゾウ, Kiiroi Zou, 2013), THE ROUND TABLE (円卓 こっこ、ひと夏のイマジン, Entaku Kokko, Hito Natsu no Imajin, 2014) and MAKUKO (まく子, 2019). The movie is directed by Hitoshi Yazaki, the filmmaker behind the critically acclaimed MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LION (三月のライオン, Sangatsu no Raion, 1992) — Prix de l’Âge d’or, Royal Belgian