Tuesday, June 12, 2007

This Just In: New DVDs

Silk (Guisi), 2006, directed by Chao-Bin Su
A team of paranormal researchers investigates the strange death of a Canadian scientist, a case that yields just one clue: a photo of a boy in an empty room. The team soon discovers that the boy is actually a ghost, and using the latest technology, they physically capture his spirit. But as they unlock the secret of his death, the researchers realize that there's a much more powerful supernatural force at work.

Id (Ido), 2005, directed by Kei Fujiwara, Japan
A string of gruesome accidents in an isolated town seems to be tied to a wanted murderer, until a local woman is implicated in the violent death of a factory manager. The murderer and the woman realize they share a powerful connection, making it clear that there are mysterious forces at work. This psychological thriller examines the id -- the subconscious force that taps our deepest desires -- and asks what happens when it can't be controlled.

Late Ozu: Early Spring (Soshun), 1956, , directed by Yasujiro Ozu, Japan
Acclaimed Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu explores the bleak hopelessness of the white-collar corporate world in this postwar tale of marriage, infidelity and passion. In an attempt to break out of a mind-numbing daily routine, an ordinary office worker embarks on a risky affair with a stenographer, all the while hoping that his colleagues -- and his wife -- never find out.

Late Ozu: Tokyo Twilight (Tokyo boshoku ), 1957, directed by Yosujiro Ozu, Japan
In this black-and-white drama, acclaimed Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu shines a light on the dark side of sisterhood, exposing shame and family secrets in postwar Tokyo. While living at home with their aging father (Chishu Ryu), two sisters (Setsuko Hara and Ineko Arima) face shocking revelations, the most profound of which is that their mother -- whom they long assumed to be dead -- may still be alive.

Late Ozu: Equinox Flower (Higanbana), 1958, directed by Yasujiro Ozu, Japan
In his first color film, acclaimed director Yasujiro Ozu explores the tension between modern romance and family tradition in postwar Japanese society. A prosperous businessman (Shin Saburi) with a reputation for doling out sound, objective relationship advice to his friends finds it difficult to practice what he preaches when his oldest daughter (Ineko Arima) announces her engagement to a man he doesn't like.

Late Ozu: The End of Summer (Kohayagawa-ke no aki), 1961, directed by Yasujiro Ozu, Japan
In his penultimate film, acclaimed Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu examines the relationship between an aging father (Ganjiro Nakamura) and his three caring daughters (Setsuko Hara, Yôko Tsukasa and Michiyo Aratama), who needlessly worry that he'll spend the rest of his life alone. Little do they know that dad is anything but solitary, having recently reconnected with his former mistress.

Late Ozu: Late Autumn (Akibiyori), 1963, directed by Yasujiro Ozu, Japan
Acclaimed director Yasujiro Ozu explores the flipside of the traditional mother-daughter bond in this touching family comedy set in postwar Japan. Reluctant to marry and leave her widowed mother (Setsuko Hara) all alone, a dutiful daughter (Yôko Tsukasa) resists selecting a suitor. But her late father's friends, who are eager to see both women happy, insist on stepping in to play matchmaker.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Munich Film Festival 25th Anniversary

This June marks the 25th Anniversary of the Munich Film Festival. The Festival runs June 22 through June 30.

In celebration we’re focusing on award-winning or top box office German films tomorrow – 6 p.m., June 12 – at the Filmies gathering at Rahr Brewery. (See details at the right)

Hope you can make it!

As for Munich, obviously there are lots of German films making their debut and many U.S. films. Additionally 10 films from our Sister City countries will light up the screens.

If you’re near Munich, check out the festival. If not, hopefully some of these will make it to a festival or DVD player near you.

Here are the films representing Italy and Mexico.

Born & Bred – Argentina, Italy

Gardens in Autumn – France, Italy, Russia

The Missing Star – France, Italy, Switzerland

Napoleon & Me – France, Italy, Spain

Our Country – Italy

Salty Air – Italy

Salvatore – This is life – Italy

The Session is Open – Italy

Sodom Carnaval – Mexico, Spain

Two Embraces – Mexico

Friday, June 8, 2007

Nugroho takes Australia

Scene from Opera Jawa

Indonesian filmmaker Garin Nugroho (left) is a special guest of the Sydney Film Festival this weekend.

Nugroho’s work has debuted at film festivals globally from Cannes to Seattle. His Opera Jawa will play Sunday and Monday in Sydney.

"Garin Nugroho is a very talented and prolific filmmaker. He has created many movies that have won international awards and created great interest in Indonesian film," said Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer. "This is another example of the ongoing and exciting cultural collaboration between Australia and Indonesia in many areas of the arts," he said.
You can see Nugroho’s work as part of a traveling film series across the United States this year. His Of Love and Eggs (Rindu kami padamu) is part of The Global Film Initiative, which played at the Museum of Modern Art in New York last year.

Additional articles:
Kinema
Screening the Past
Indonesia Now

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Grant in Madonna film

Swaziland’s Richard E. Grant is taking a roll in Madonna’s first film directing project.

The low-budget comedy is called Filth And Wisdom and is based on Madonna’s life experiences. Hmm. That doesn’t really narrow the topic down, does it?

Media reports quote Maddona saying, "I am happy to confirm I am working hard on a new project, directing my first short movie. While I cannot tell you more about it for now, I am happy to officially reveal its title: Filth And Wisdom. "I will finish this in time to go back to the recording studio in July. I hate to be such a tease, but you know how I am."

Madonna’s husband Guy Ritchie is a well-known British filmmaker. The Ritchies and Grant apparently know each other socially.

Grant made his directorial debut last year with the film Wah-Wah. An in-depth article in the Courier Mail gives the low-down on all things Grant.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Awakening Japan

Naomi Kawase

The recent Cannes Film Festival win by Japanese filmmaker Naomi Kawase has at least one newspaper calling for increased emphasis on Japanese culture on film.

We’d support that.

The Japan Times online article went as far as saying, “Sending a steady supply of high-quality films overseas to festivals and commercial theaters alike will prove a wise move in the long run.”
The article laments the fact that arthouse films from Japan have a bigger following outside the country than inside the Land of the Rising Sun. I’m sure U.S. filmmakers feel the same.

Anyway, I wouldn't exactly call the Japanese film industry dead.

Perhaps it’s appropriate that Kawase’s film is called Mogari no Mori (The Mourning Forest). Maybe attention from this great honor will encourage Japan and Japanese artists to rise to the occasion and offer the world more great films.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

This Just In: New DVD Releases

The Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai (Hatsujô kateikyôshi: sensei no aijiru ), 2003, directed by Mitsuru Meike, Japan
When call girl Sachiko Hanai (Emi Kuroda) gets shot in the head, she not only survives, she emerges with psychic powers and a genius IQ. Soon, the slut turned brainiac is living a life of danger, having unwittingly walked off with George W. Bush's finger. With the president's fingerprint all that's needed to launch a nuclear missile, just about every spy in the world is after the digit -- and Sachiko -- in this surreal sexploitation romp

Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster (San daikaijû: Chikyu saidai no kessen ), 1964, directed by Ishirô Honda, Japan
Three-headed mutant dragon Ghidorah goes nose to nose with Mothra, Godzilla and Rodan in director Ishirô Honda's classic Japanese monster flick. Released from a meteor that crash-landed, Ghidorah rampages through Tokyo, with Mount Fuji becoming the climactic battleground for a four-beastie smack down when Mothra, Godzilla and Rodan show up. Yosuke Natsuki, Yuriko Hoshi, Akiko Wakabayashi and Takashi Shimura head the cast.

Invasion of Astro-Monster (Kaijû daisenso ), 1965, directed by Ishirô Honda, Japan
Aliens from Planet X borrow Godzilla and Rodan, claiming the monsters can help eradicate the ferocious triple-headed Ghidorah. But the extraterrestrials actually intend to invade Earth. Now, American astronaut Glenn (Nick Adams), his fellow space traveler Fuji (Akira Takarada) and brilliant inventor Tetsuo (Akira Kubo) must stop the sinister plot. Directed by Ishirô Honda, this classic sci-fi adventure co-stars Jun Tazaki and Kumi Mizuno.

Monday, June 4, 2007

New Film Sheriff in Town

Tom Huckabee, Lone Star International Film Festival Director
The Lone Star International Film Festival has named Tom Huckabee as its new festival director. The industry insider from Fort Worth has returned to the city of his roots to work on the festival.
Huckabee was executive producer on Frailty (2001), writer of Deep in the Heart (1996), executive consultant on The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005) and writing, directing and producing for various TV programs.
Huckabee is taking on the task of bringing Hollywood and the indie world of film to Fort Worth for the film festival Nov. 8-11, 2007. Lone Star is seeking film submissions for its film competition.
Meanwhile Fort Worth Sister Cities International is presenting a sidebar during the festival focusing on film from our seven Sister City countries: Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico and Swaziland. If you’re an indie filmmaker or film distributor from these countries contact us at steve_c_roth@yahoo.com.
Huckabee was feted in Fort Worth last Thursday in a mobile celebration that moved from the T&P Station Lofts, to the Flying Saucer and finally winding down at 8.0 in Sundance Square.
Make plans now to join us for the festival and film series this November 2007.