Thu, 04 Dec 2014 16:10:51 +0900 hourly 1 /release/201411075367 Mon, 10 Nov 2014 14:00:30 +0900 TIFF The 27th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) aimed to highlight Japanese animation movies, and held special screenings titled, "The World of Hideaki Anno" which showcased the works of Hideaki Anno, ... Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF)
"The World of Hideaki Anno" Special Screenings and Talk Sessions Held at 27th Tokyo International Film Festival
The 27th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) aimed to highlight Japanese animation movies, and held special screenings titled, "The World of Hideaki Anno" which showcased the works of Hideaki Anno, one of the most prominent filmmakers in Japan, at the festival in Tokyo between October 24 and 30. The screenings included approximately fifty works that Anno has been involved in, including TV anime series, short films, TV commercials, and music videos.

Five talk sessions which featured Anno himself accompanied the screenings, and included some of his most memorable moments in his 30 plus year career as an amateur filmmaker, animator, and director as well as Anno's thoughts on how forerunners such as Hayao Miyazaki have influenced him. Although he has directed many films, Anno revealed that he had always thought of himself as more suitable for the "No. 2 position in support of the director."

Anno also promised that he would do his best for the sequel of EVANGELION, which he described as his toughest project. He admitted that working on EVANGELION has made him feel like he was standing on the edge both physically and emotionally.

Anno remarked that when times got hard, he was encouraged by Hayao Miyazaki who told him to "take a rest until it feels right to create something again. Once you have accomplished a monumental work, both people and money will eventually gather again."

Before closing the final talk session, Anno reflected on his career saying, "Since I was a high school student, I have worked on numerous projects. I always wanted to try something new and different. As these screenings allowed me to look at my works retrospectively, I was able to reassure myself that something was always indeed different. This opportunity also gave me the strength to start working again. Now that I am over fifty, it is the time for me to give back to the animation, Tokusatsu (i.e."special effects"), and film production industries that trained and inspired me in filmmaking and contents creation."
]]> /release/201411045215 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 15:00:22 +0900 TIFF A special talk session between prizewinning director and SAMURAI Award recipient Takeshi Kitano and eight young directors was held in Tokyo on October 25. Among the participants in the session ... Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF)
Tokyo International Film Festival Presents SAMURAI Award Special Talk Session Featuring First Recipient of Award, Takeshi Kitano
A special talk session between prizewinning director and SAMURAI Award recipient Takeshi Kitano and eight young directors was held in Tokyo on October 25. Among the participants in the session were Tony Rayns (film critic/screenwriter and Japanese Cinema Splash Jury), Christian Jeune (Deputy to the General Delegate of the Cannes Film Festival and Japanese Cinema Splash Jury) and winners of the PFF Award 2014 as well as winners from three students film festivals in Japan.

Kitano believes in creating what he wants to create, but knows the importance of accepting what he doesn't like. "It's a matter of creating what makes sense to you, but not forgetting that there are other opinions and perspectives in filmmaking," he said. "Within constraint, how much freedom can you create with the right mindset? Try to be able to push the limit. Unlimited possibilities exist within constraint."

Kitano told the young directors, "The key here is to continue doing what you are doing. The external world will find what is unique about you." He added, "Be withdrawn a bit, take a step back, and see for yourself."

He was then joined by Rayns and Jeune, both of whom are intimately familiar with Japanese cinema, for a talk session on the "Now and Future of Japanese Film." Rayns said, "The future of Japanese cinema is sitting right here on this stage." Jeune added, "The world has changed so the directors have to change what they want to say and how they want to say it. And I hope they will find the means to tell a story."

Kitano concluded the session in classic Kitano style, "Thinking about what's necessary to make a breakthrough is like asking what you should do to win the lottery. The answer is somewhere and your job is to find it. You can listen to advice, but don't forget that you are the creator of your own film. What's best is to build your own world which may lead you to answers. I won't tell you to keep at it because you see, it's best to nip the buds!"
]]> /release/201410315094 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 15:00:18 +0900 TIFF On Monday, October 27 the Kabukiza Theatre in Ginza, Tokyo, which some refer to as the center of Japanese traditional performing arts, was abuzz with the glitz and glamour of ... Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF)
Tokyo International Film Festival 2014 Presents Special Night Event at Kabukiza Theatre
On Monday, October 27 the Kabukiza Theatre in Ginza, Tokyo, which some refer to as the center of Japanese traditional performing arts, was abuzz with the glitz and glamour of the film world as the 27th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) presented "Special Night at Kabukiza Theatre."

This unique event drew international audiences, celebrities, and both domestic and overseas media to witness a special Kabuki performance of "Shakkyo" (Stone Bridge) by Ichikawa Somegoro, one of Japan's top Kabuki performers, and a special screening of City Lights by the legendary Charlie Chaplin. The evening was hosted by actress Miki Nakatani, the 'Festival Muse' for TIFF 2014.

Ms. Nakatani welcomed the audience to the historic venue while appearing onstage in a beautiful kimono. In her opening remarks, Ms. Nakatani said that it was a 'great honor' to help out with the event which would allow the audience to 'enjoy the wonders of theatre and film.'

The audience was then treated to an outstanding performance of Shakkyo by Ichikawa Somegoro who portrayed a mythological lion on a stone bridge. Afterwards, the actor told the audience that he had chosen Shakkyo because it contained many of the defining characteristics of Kabuki such as costumes, makeup, poses, and stage, which the audience would appreciate. He described the performance as a battle which demonstrated the 'power of the lion.'

Charlie Chaplin was known to have a strong connection to Kabuki, and first visited the theatre in 1936 where he met the great grandfather of Ichikawa Somegoro. In 1889 both the Kabukiza Theatre was established and Chaplin was born, so in recognition of this lasting connection between the artist and the theatre, a special screening of "City Lights" was presented.

To conclude the evening, Ichikawa Somegoro and Miki Nakatani answered questions from the overseas and domestic media. Ms. Nakatani remarked that the performance was 'fantastic' and she appreciated the effort and skill which had been put into Shakkyo. Ichikawa Somegoro described the evening as 'happy, fun, and exciting', and noted that he was 'very glad to have this chance' to present Kabuki to the world.
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