2006/07/04 Toronto International Film Festival Takeshi Miike's "Big Bang Love, Juvenile A" has been selected to screen at the 31st Toronto International Film Festival which will take place from September 7-16. Toronto will be the North American Premiere for this film. "Big Bang Love, Juvenile A" will be screened at the Visions section in Toronto. Link: http://www.e.bell.ca/filmfest 2006/06/15 Fantasia Film Festival The Japanese movies “SHINOBI” , “SYNESTHESIA” , and clay animation film “NORABBITTS’ MINUTES” will be screened at the competition of the 10th Fantasia Film Festival, which runs from July 6 until July 24 in Montreal, Canada. Link : http://www.fantasiafestival.com/ 2006/06/15 Montreal World Film Festival Shochiku film, “MIDNIGHT SUN” will be screened as part of the First Films World Competition at the Montreal World Film Festival, which runs from August 24 until September 4 in Montreal, Canada. Link : http://www.ffm-montreal.org/ 2006/06/12 Posted: Tue., May 30, 2006, 6:22pm PT Shohei Imamura Director By MARK SCHILLING TOKYO -- Director Shohei Imamura died May 30 in Tokyo of liver cancer. He was 79. The son of a doctor and a graduate of elite Waseda U., Shohei Imamura joined the Shochiku studio in 1951 as an assistant director. He worked with Yasujiro Ozu on his masterpiece "The Tokyo Story," but grew dissatisfied with Ozu's highly controlled style and middle-class subject matter. In 1954 he moved to the Nikkatsu studio and in 1958 made his directorial debut with "Stolen Desire." Much like Nikkatsu mentor Yuzo Kawashima, Imamura had a preference for contemporary themes, explored with frankness, humor and a lack of cant. He also had an enduring interest in the inhabitants of cultural backwaters and the lower depths, particularly earthy, strong-willed women who disdained bourgeois morality. His 1963 breakthrough film, "Insect Woman," told the story of one such heroine, a prostitute who tenaciously pursues her dream of wealth and power, using deceit and subterfuge without a qualm. Shot in a quasi-documentary style, the picture won numerous prizes and was proclaimed the best Japanese film of the year by the prestigious Kinema Junpo magazine's critic's poll. Imamura launched his own production company in 1965 and continued to make films mixing fictional and documentary techniques. In 1970, after the B.O. failure of "History of Postwar Japan as Told by a Bar Hostess," he abandoned features for documentaries. In 1979 he returned to fictional filmmaking with "Vengeance Is Mine," a close-up examination of a ruthless serial killer who nurses a burning hatred for his meek Christian father. Based on a true story, the film swept domestic awards, including a Kinema Junpo Best One prize. In 1983 Imamura released "The Ballad of Narayama," a period film based on a legend about rural villagers who abandon their elderly on a nearby mountain. The picture won the Palme d'Or at Cannes -- Imamura's first. He scooped Cannes' top prize again in 1997 for "The Eel," a drama about an ex-con who killed his wife and is trying to start anew with a woman who attempted suicide. Imamura's last full-length feature was the 2001 drama "Warm Water Under a Red Bridge." He also contributed a segment to "Eleven Minutes, Nine Seconds, One Image -- September 11," an omnibus on the theme of 9/11. Imamura was founder and longtime head of the Japan Academy of Moving Images, a Yokohama-based film school whose alumni include helmer Takashi Miike. 2006/06/09 A business partnership has been announced between Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Shochiku Co., Ltd. 1. Purpose of the business partnership Both companies has conducted various collaborations in media business such as an operation of a pay satellite broadcasting company, Eisei Gekijyo Co., Ltd. and Shochiku Multiplex Theaters Co., Ltd, as well as a co-produce of films such as "Helen The Baby Fox”. As the application of digital technologies in the media field progresses rapidly, the market of media contents is expected to expand substantially. Combining Mitsui’s experience in generating new business models in the past and Shochiku’s strength in producing quality films will be effective in creating a new market especially in the mobile phone and internet contents distribution. 2. Details of the business partnership Both companies will examine concrete contents and promotion method of a joint item in the fields of following businesses. (1) Delivery and sales of film and animations for mobile phones and internet (2) A co-production of films (3) Planning and sales of animations (4) Sales of movies for overseas markets 2006/05/17 Shochiku does Kafka in animation debut Screen Daily Stories by Liz Shackleton in Cannes Japan's Shochiku is launching two animated films from high-profile directors at Cannes, marking the first time it has produced theatrical animations in-house. The first film, The Country Doctor, is based on Franz Kafka's short prose of the same name and is being directed by Koji Yamamura who picked up an Oscar nomination for his short film Mr Head. The second, Kappa No Kureta Okurimono, is based on the popular Kappa picture books written by Masao Kogure. It is being directed by Keiichi Hara, best known for the successful Crayon Shinchan film franchise and TV series which has been broadcast around the world including Korea, Italy and Spain. Both films will start production in June for release in Japan in 2007. "As planned we've accelerated the development of animated TV fare and are now poised to do the same with theatrical films," said Ichiro Seki, general manager of Shochiku's animation division. 2006/04/12 'Shinobi' finds N. American home FUNimation takes theatrical, DVD and TV rights By MARK SCHILLING TOKYO: FUNimation Entertainment has acquired North American rights, including theatrical, DVD and broadcast, to the ninja actioner "Shinobi" from Shochiku. According to Shochiku sources, FUNimation has not yet set a date for theatrical release, but may release the DVD in the late summer or early fall. A hit in Japan, where it grossed Y1.4 billion ($12 milion) following its September 2005 release, "Shinobi" features Joe Odagiri and Yukie Nakama as ninjas belonging to rival clans who become lovers and unwilling opponents in a life-or-death contest of martial arts skills. In a statement, FUNimation prexyprexy Gen Fukunaga described the film as "a great looking piece" and said the company "is researching much wider distribution efforts" for it, including broadcast and theatrical. "Shinobi" was adapted from "The Kouga Ninja Scrolls," a best selling novel that also inspired "Basilisk," an anime series that FUNimation is distributing. Shochiku has sold "Shinobi" to nearly 20 territories so far, including Korea (IMX); the U.K. (Optimum Releasing); Italy (Mikado); Germany, Austria and Switzerland (I-ON Media); and Australia and New Zealand (Madman Entertainment). 2006/03/07 Shochiku to Build Cinema Complex in Shinjuku Shochiku plans to open a large-scale cinema complex in Tokyo's Shinjuku district in autumn, 2008. The company will invest approximately 6 billion yen in the project, which when completed will boast 10 screens. Other companies such as Toho and Toei also plan to build complexes in the city's central districts. In recent years the traditional battleground for cinema complexes has been suburban areas however the competition has shifted to the city center where it is easier to attract customers. Construction is due to commence in June this year on the site of Shochiku's Shinjuku Shochiku Kaikan, which will be torn down to make way for the new cinema complex. The building will be 12 stories high, with an additional two floors underground. The complex's 10 screens will occupy floors 3 - 12, providing a total capacity of 2,300 seats. 2006/01/22 The 30th Hong Kong International Film Festival This year at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, which will be held from April 4th through April 19th, Takashi Miike’s “Big Bang Love, Juvenile A" will be screened. "Big Bang Love, Juvenile A" was also screened at the Berlin International Film Festival Panorama section. Last year at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Shochiku received a Contribution Award and Keisuke Kinoshita was featured in a retrospective program. http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/events/press.html 2006/01/19 EARLY SUMMER and THE LIGHTHOUSE will be shown at Berlin International Film Festival This year, the Retrospective of the 56th Berlin International Film Festival will feature the screen heroines of the 1950s. Entitled as “Dream Girls,”actresses from the United States, Europe and Japan will be presented. Among 30 actresses at the program, Hideko Takamine in THE LIGHTHOUSE, and Setsuko Hara in EARLY SUMMER will be introduced. The 56th Berlin International Festival will be held from February 9 to 19, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. http://www.berlinale.de/ 2006/01/19 SHINOBI to be showcased in the Competition at the 24th Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film Ten Shimoyama’s film, SHINOBI will compete for the award at the 24th Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film that will be held from March 10 to 25, 2006 in Brussels, Belgium. This festival has a long history and is acknowledged as one of famous fantastic film festivals in the world. http://www.bifff.org/ 2006/01/09 Shochiku ties up with Mitsukoshi At the end of 2005, Shochiku and a major department store Mitsukoshi announced their capital tie-up in order to work together to strengthen the use of Shochiku’s cultural properties such as Kabuki plays, films, stars and so on. The both of long standing companies have strong customer bases in wealthy middle and advanced age people. They are aiming at the expansion of the business to the baby boom generation that retires in large quantities after 2007. The two companies created a project team in each business field, so that such topics will be discussed about the use of the movie image and technologies of Shochiku’s popular movie series as “TORA-SAN” and “FREE AND EASY.” 2005/12/27 Shochiku Tribute at Cinematheque Francaise A collection of Japanese classic films will be shown at the Cinematheque Francaise in Paris, France from January 4 through 15, 2006 as commemoration of Shochiku’s 110th anniversary. Fourteen titles including silent films from Shochiku are: Souls on the Road, 1921, directed by Minoru Murata, Kohitsuji (1923), directed by Zanmu Kako, Fue no shiratama (1929), directed by Hiroshi Shimizu Slashing Swords (1929), directed by Daisuke Ito Parents (1929), directed by Hiroshi Shimizu and Tadamoto Okubo A Straightforward Boy (1929), directed by Yasujiro Ozu A Buddhist Mass for Goemon Ishikawa (1930) directed by Torajiro Saito Rebirth of the Imperial Capital (1930), directed by Hamataro Oda and Asajiro Itoi Foster Sisters (1932), directed by Hotei Nomura The Unrelated (1932), directed by Mikio Naruse Dynamite Bride (1932), directed by Keisuke Sasaki and Torajiro Saito Woman of Tokyo (1933), directed by Yasujiro Ozu The Izu Dancer (1933), directed by Heinosuke Gosho Osen, the Folded-Paper Crane (1935), directed by Kenji Mizoguchi LINK (in French) http://www.cinematheque.fr/fr/nosactivites/projections/lescycles/cycle.html?Cycle_OID=5d5cd3b0-4786-4707-a7c2-000000000297 2005/12/27 Fajr International Film Festival Yoji Yamada’s film, “THE HIDDEN BLADE” will be shown in the international competition of the 24th Fajr International Film Festival(Tehran, Iran/’06.Jan.20-30). The festival also focuses on Yamada with his other 8 titles:FIFTEEN, MY SONS, A CLASS TO REMEMBER, TORA-SAN’S FORBIDDEN LOVE, TORA-SAN OUR LOVABLE TRAMP, FINAL TAKE, WHERE SPRING COMES LATE and HOME FROM THE SEA. LINK http://www.fajrfestival.ir 2005/12/15 The Korean Association of Cinematheques will present a special collection of 19 Shochiku films as a tribute to its 110th anniversary at Seoul Art Cinema from December 17 through 30. Link : http://www.cinematheque.seoul.kr A total of 19 films will be screened as follows: TOKYO CHORUS by Yasujiro Ozu A STORY OF FLOATING WEEDS by Yasujiro Ozu SISITERS OF GION by Kenji Mizoguchi WOMEN OF THE NIGHT by Kenji Mizoguchi ORNAMENTAL HAIRPIN by Hiroshi Shimizu THE ROYAL 47 RONIN PART 1 by Kenji Mizoguchi THE ROYAL 47 RONIN PART 2 by Kenji Mizoguchi CARMEN COMES HOME by Keisuke Kinoshita THE BALLAD OF NARAYAMA by Keisuke Kinoshita BLACK RIVER by Masaki Kobayashi STREET OF HOPE AND LOVE by Nagisa Oshima THE SUN’S BURIAL by Nagisa Oshima LOVE AFFAIR AT AKITSU SPA by Yoshishige Yoshida GOOD FOR NOTHING by Yoshishige Yoshida ONE WAY TICKET TO LOVE by Masahiro Shinoda PALE FLOWER by Masahiro Shinoda HARAKIRI by Masaki Kobayashi WOMAN CAN’T BE BEATEN by Azuma Morisaki NOWHERE MAN by Naoto Takenaka 2005/11/28 A new star is born: Ms. Hanako Ebise Wins Grand Prize at Shochiku “STAR GATE” Audition from more than 10,000 Hopefuls As one of the key events in its 110th anniversary celebrations, Shochiku sponsored a large scale nationwide “STAR GATE” audition this summer to find a lady of truly international star aspects between the ages of 12 and 23. The final screening of the twelve finalists, held on November 26 at Kabukiza Theater, was open to the public. Out of the original 10,378 candidates from all over the country, 19 years old Hanako Ebise, a college student from Kyoto, won the grand prize of 1,110,000 yen as well as an opportunity to make her film debut in a Shochiku film to be released in 2007. 2005/11/26 UNESCO proclaims Kabuki an Intangible Heritage of Humanity UNESCO has proclaimed the Japanese art of Kabuki as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The prestigious honor came after a group of 18 international jurists, including anthropologists and theater artists, reviewed the art form along with 64 other submissions. UNESCO also recognized Noh drama, and Joruri Bunraku puppet theater as intangible heritage in 2001 and 2003 respectively. Link: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=30973&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html 2005/11/22 Japanese major Shochiku has persuaded modernist helmer and former documentarian Kore-eda Hirokazu to direct his first samurai movie. Now in production, "Hana Yori Mo Naho" concerns a troubled samurai warrior and a widow. Release in Japan is skedded for next spring. Pic stars Junichi Okada ("Tokyo Tower"), Rie Miyazawa ("Twilight Samurai") and Tadanobu Asano. Producers are Sato Shiho and Enoki Nozomu. Shochiku also is producing "Bushi no Ichibun" (One-Line Samurai), the final part of Yoji Yamada's trilogy that began with "Twilight Samurai" and "The Hidden Blade." 2005/11/22 Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda (After Life, Nobody Knows) is set to make his first period drama, Hana Yori Mo Naho , with Shochiku providing financing and distribution. Based on an original story by Kore-eda, the film is scheduled for a spring 2006 release. Shochiku will also be handling worldwide sales. The film will feature Junichi Okada (Tokyo Tower) as a troubled young samurai bent on revenge for the death of his father, while Tadanobu Asano (Zatoichi) plays his nemesis. Rie Miyazawa (The Twilight Samurai) will also star as the widow he falls in love with. However, instead of flashing swords and falling bodies, the focus of the story will be on human relationships in a crowded, vibrant, urban neighborhood. The producers on the long-mulled project are Sato Shiho, who worked with Kore-eda on After Life, and Enoki Nozomu, whose credits include the Yoichi Sai drama Blood And Bones, which is Japan's candidate for a 2005 foreign-language Oscar. Kore-eda's last film, drama Nobody Knows, was screened in competition at Cannes in 2004, with 14-year-old star Yuya Yagira scooping a best actor award. Remake rights to his second feature, After Life, have been purchased by 20th Century Fox. 2005/11/07 TOKYO -- Japanese entertainment giant Shochiku is reshaping its management to reflect growth in its movies division. Teruki Matusumoto has been appointed managing director of theatrical distribution. Takeo Hisamatsu has been tapped m.d. of production and development. Both will report to Jay Sakomoto, Shochiku prexy. "This change will allow a more streamlined division resulting in greater cohesiveness and greater strides taken," Sakomoto said. Shochiku, 110 years old, has interests in kabuki theater, hardtops, and film production and distribution. Its movies have grossed \10.5 billion ($95 million) this year through August, thanks to hits including "Yokai deaisenso," "Aegis" and "Mobile Suit Z gundam." The shuffle splits Hisamatsu's role, which previously covered production and distribution. Matsumoto, who previously focused on exhibition before a stint at Eisei Gekijo and Movie Channel, also will oversee international sales. 2005/11/07 Japan's Yoji Yamada will direct "Bushi no ichibun" (which translates loosely as "One-Line Samurai") as the third part of a swordplay trilogy that began with the Oscar-nominated "Twilight Samurai." Pic will shoot in early 2006 with Takuya Timura ("2046") starring as a young, blind samurai who fights for his honor and the wife who sacrificed herself for him. Production, distribution and international sales are by Japanese major Shochiku, which previously handled "Samurai" and 2005 follow-up "The Hidden Blade." Script is by Shuhei Fujisawa, who penned the earlier episodes. 2005/11/07 Shochiku has announced that Yoji Yamada will complete the trilogy of samurai dramas he began with The Twilight Samurai nominated for best foreign-language film at the Oscars in 2004 and The Hidden Blade. Tentatively titled Bushi No Ichibun (A Warrior's Duty), the final instalment in the trilogy is based on a story by Shuhei Fujisawa about a blind young samurai, who goes out to get vengeance after his wife dies protecting his honour. Fujisawa's fiction also supplied materials for the first two films in the trilogy, which both depicted samurai on the lower rungs of the social scale, living everyday lives with extraordinary courage. Bushi No Ichibun will star Takuya Kimura, an enduringly popular TV celebrity and pop star who also appeared in Wong Kar-wai's 2046. Principal photography is scheduled to start early in 2006. Yamada, a Shochiku studio pillar for four decades, is best known in Japan for his 48-episode Tora-san series about a wandering peddler who is forever falling in love. The Twilight Samurai, his first period drama, was a solid hit in Japan and screened around the world, while scooping numerous awards both at home and abroad. His follow-up, The Hidden Blade, was also a box office success in Japan last year prompting Yamada to undertake and Shochiku to underwrite the final film in the trilogy. 2005/11/07 Already sold to 14 foreign territories and with strong remake potential, Ten Shimoyama's Shinobi resembles recent Japanese period epics like Red Shadow, Samurai Resurrection and Azumi in its computer game-like structure and targets their teen audiences accordingly. But in telling his story of two warring ninja clans, Shimoyama also aspires to the epic, mythic quality of Zhang Yimou's Hero and Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - and attains it more often than not. At home the film has enjoyed a good showing, marketed by Shochiku more as a love story than a martial arts spree and targeting under-30s of both sexes, including dating couples, rather than just martial arts movie fans. Overseas, prospects are likely to be good among specialised Western audiences with a hankering for ninja theatrics and Asian period drama. The film takes place in 1614, with Japan finally at peace after long decades of internal strife. Yukie Nakama plays Oboro, a ninja of the Iga clan, who falls in love with Gennosuke (Joe Odagiri), the son of the rival Koga clan's leader. Living in the remote mountains, these two clans have perfected the ninja arts, called "shinobi," far beyond the reach of mere mortals. Seeking to consolidate the shogun's rule - and seeing the two clans as a threat to it, a powerful priest and shogunal advisor (Renji Ishibashi) schemes to set them against each other. The clans are commanded to each select five champions who will battle to the death. The reward for the survivor: rank and power. Both Oboro and Gennosuke are chosen as champions, but Gennosuke doubts the shogunate's intentions - and refuses to take part in the contest. He is forced into action when his comrades begin to fall, though he cannot bring himself to battle one Iga warrior: Oboro. Shinobi cleanly and quickly flies across the screen in little more than 100 minutes, minus the dead spots or static set pieces that bloat the usual period drama. While the romance between the two principals is central, Shinobi's story is not dependent on Romeo and Juliet mechanics; rather the two leads spend most of their time as champions for rival families, not as lovers fighting the opposition of their parents. The fight scenes are mostly two opponents battling to the death before the winner moves on to the next foe (a narrative motor also found in the big-screen adaptation of computer gameslike Mortal Kombat). But Shimoyama ups the ante with pieces of lethal steel flying at impossible speeds, wire-assisted leaps to the roofs of buildings and stunts bordering on ìnow you see it now you don't" trickery. The 10 contestants in this ultimate death match are distinctive types easy for the audience to sort out, including the lovely-but-creepy Kagero (Tomoka Kurotani) - poison to her enemies, but sweet on Gennosuke - and Tenzan Yakushi (Kippei Shiina), a silver-haired ninja master who knows all and sees all, including the secrets of Oboro's conflicted heart. Star Yukie Nakama, a TV drama queen whose film work has been on the light comic side (G@ame, Trick), exudes dynamism, passion and sensuality, as though she prepped with the films of Zhang Ziyi. She never abandons her femininity, even as a fiery warrior, nor loses her steely ninja spirit, even as a woman in love. The work of visual effects producer Shuji Asano and CG director Hiroyuki Hayashi dazzlingly transcends the usual ninja stunts, as when Obero pierces a foe with her glance (her eyes changing colour in the process) and shorts out his synapses, in a sequence that resembles an animated medical drawing in hyper-realistic 3-D. These and other feats, however, derive from the ninjas' training and abilities, not simply cartoon-like super-powers. Impossibly exaggerated, yes, verging on the absurd, no. Also, they defeat each other more with their smarts and skills than brute power displays. Photography is first rate, underscoring the gorgeousness of the period costumes and scenery without looking too staged or picture postcard. The mayhem eventually ends with a poignant moment of remembrance and hope and a final message: super ninjas may not last forever but love will endure. Production companies Shochiku Nippon Television Network Satellite Theatre Yomiuri Shimbun Japan distribution Shochiku International sales Shochiku Executive producer Takeo Hisamatsu Producers Nozomu Enoki Hiroyuki Sato Screenplay Kenya Hirata from the book Koga Ninpo-cho by Futaro Yamada Cinematography Masashi Chikamori Editor Isao Kawase Production design Toshihiro Isomi Music Taro Iwashiro Action director Yuji Shimomura Costume designer Kumiko Ogawa Visual effects producer Shuji Asano CG director Hiroyuki Hayashi Main cast Yukie Nakama Joe Odagiri Renji Ishibashi Tomoka Kurotani Kippei Shiina 2005/10/07 A Shochiku Film, “HINOKIO” directed by Takahiko Akiyama receives the Golden Butterfly Prize for Best Feature Film at the Asian Cinema section in the 20th Isfahan International Festival of Film for Children and Young Adults which was held in Teheran, Iran from September 29 to October 3. 2005/09/30 Yoji Yamadaês –The Hidden Blade” receives Best Picture Award at the 8th Zimbabwe International Film Festival: “The Hidden Blade”, directed by Yoji Yamada, received the Best Picture Award at the 8th Zimbabwe International Film Festival, held from August 26th through September 4th, 2005. After hearing that he had received the award, Yamada commented, “I was extremely happy and felt very honored to hear that my work, "The Hidden Blade" had won the grand prix at this year’s Zimbabwe International Film Festival. This has helped to remind me that cinema is a wonderful art form that enables us to appreciate each other, crossing the barriers of country and distance, race, language and culture. On behalf of the entire staff who worked with me to produce "The Hidden Blade", I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the festival committee and staff members of this festival. In addition, although I have not yet visited Zimbabwe, I am also grateful to the audiences there. Thank you very much.” Official URL : http://www.ziff.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=60&Itemid=1 2005/09/21 The 43rd New York Film Festival will open this weekend. As Shochiku celebrates its 110th anniversary, a collection of films from Shochiku's past is to feature at the 43rd New York Film Festival. Among the movies to be shown will be Yoji Yamada's “The Hidden Blade”, which has been chosen as the opening film for this Shochiku retrospective. The festival will be held at New York's Lincoln Center from September 24 until October 20. As a tribute to Shochiku's 110th anniversary, a total of 45 films, including many that have not been shown abroad before, will be screened at the festival. Shochiku Website Link : http://www.shochikufilms.com/festival/index.html Link : http://www.filmlinc.com/wrt/showing/shochiku.htm 2005/09/21 Distrig org taps Sakomoto chair • By PATRICK FRATER The Foreign Film Importer-Distributors Assn. of Japan has named Shochiku prexy Junichi Sakomoto its chairman. It's the first time that the president of a major Japanese distribution company that's a member of the Motion Picture Assn. of Japan has been selected as the org's chair. The two other Japanese majors, Toei and Toho, are not members. The body oversees the importation and distribution of foreign films, fosters international cooperation, settles trade disputes and negotiates with festivals. Sakomoto, who joined Shochiku 26 years ago, has been prexy for a year. He has overseen a return to financial health and dividend payments to stockholders. 2005/08/26 Yoji Yamada will receive a “Life Time Achievement Award” for his contribution to Asian films, at the 5th Gwangju International Film Festival that will be held in Gwangju, Korea from August 26th through September 4th, 2005. At the film festival, several Yamada films such as “THE HIDDEN BLADE”, “MY SONS”, and “WHERE SPRING COMES LATE” will be shown, and the director will attend the a symposium on August 28th. Screening schedule for Yoji Yamada’s films: Aug. 27th 19:00 at Migliore Cinema?P”THE HIDDEN BLADE” * *Yamada will meet audience to have a Q&A session after the screening. Aug. 28th, 19:00 at Migliore Cinema 3 ”THE HIDDEN BLADE” Aug. 28th, 22:00 at Migliore Cinema 3 “MY SONS” Aug. 29th, 19:00 at Migliore Cinema 4 “MY SONS” Aug. 29th, 16:30 at Migliore Cinema 1 “WHERE SPRING COMES LATE” Aug. 30th, 13:30 at Migliore Cinema 3 “WHERE SPRING COMES LATE” Link : http://www.giff.org/english/ 2005/08/17 At the 62nd Venice Film Festival, Shochiku films “THE LOYAL 47 RONIN (part 1)”: Genroku Chushingura (zenpen)(1941), “THE LOYAL 47 RONIN (part 2)”: Genroku Chushingura (kouhen) (1942), and “THE FAMOUS SWORD BIJOMARU”: Meito Bijomaru will be shown as part of ‘The Secret History of Asian Cinema’: a retrospective section on Japanese film 1926 to 1978. The festival runs from August 31 until September 10, 2005 in Venice, Italy. http://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/exhibition/program/en/14364.html 2005/07/28 CASSHERN: Dream Works/Go Fish Pictures reopens "www.casshern.com". Dream Works/Go Fish Pictures reopens CASSHERN web page. http://www.casshern.com From the top page, visitors to the website could choose either entering the original Japanese website or the new English website created by Dream Works/Go Fish Pictures. Dream Works/Go Fish Pictures plans to release "CASSHERN" in the United States and Canada in 2006. 2005/07/28 BABY FOX HELEN: Shochiku will release a new family film in spring of 2006. The film is based on a true story, a heartwarming story of the care and love of the boy and a vet who tries to save the baby fox. http://www.helen-movie.jp/ (Japanese site) 2005/07/01 Shochiku is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year, will have a large scale nationwide audition “STAR GATE” to search for a new actress who has the potential to become an international star in the future. Any female who speaks Japanese and ages from 12 to 23 is eligible for applying “STAR GATE” audition. Applications are accepted from June 1st, and candidates are interviewed at 5 locations throughout Japan in August. The final announcement will be made on November 26th at the Kabukiza Theater in Tokyo. The winner of this audition is scheduled to make her debut on a feature film in 2007. Link : http://www.shochiku.co.jp/110/files/star.html(in Japanese) 2005/06/24 As Shochiku celebrates its 110th anniversary of movie production, a collection of films from Shochiku's past is to feature at the 43rd New York Film Festival. Among the movies to be shown will be a digitally remastered version of Yoshitaro Nomura's “The Castle of Sand”, which has been chosen as the opening film for this Shochiku retrospective. The festival will be held at New York's Lincoln Center from September 24 until October 20. As a tribute to Shochiku's 110th anniversary, a total of 45 films, including many that have not been shown abroad before, will be screened at the festival. Link : http://www.filmlinc.com/nyff/nyff.htm 2005/06/24 A collection of films celebrating Shochiku's 110th anniversary will be shown at Germany's 23rd Filmfest, The 2005 Filmfest München, to be held from June 25 until July 2. The films to be shown at the festival include 10 works from director Keisuke Kinoshita, in addition to 5 new works. A special invitation-only screening of director Kiyoshi Kurosawa's “House of Bugs” from Kazuo Umezu's Horror Theater series will also be screened. Kiyoshi Kurosawa and “Tokyo Lullaby” director Jun Ichikawa will attend the festival. Link : http://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/rc/FFM_EN/home/index.asp Keisuke Kinoshita Feature − movies to be screened: PORT OF FLOWER (1943 b/w) ARMY (1944 b/w) WOMAN (1948 b/w) CARMEN COMES HOME (1951 color) TWENTY-FOUR EYES (1954 b/w) *New Print YOU WERE LIKE A WILD CHRYSANTHEMUM (1955 b/w) *New Print THE BALLAD OF NARAYAMA (1958 color) SNOW FLURY (1959 color) THE SCENT OF INCENSE (1964 b/w) CHILDREN OF NAGASAKI (1983 color) Other movies to be screened: THE HIDDEN BLACE, by Yoji Yamada (2004) THE HOUSE OF BUGS, by Kiyoshi Kurosawa (2005) FACE, by Junji Sakamoto (2000) TOKYO LULLABY, by Jun Ichikawa (1997) SONATINE, by Kitano Takeshi (1993) 2005/06/16 At THE 8TH SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL that will be held from June 11th through June 19th, “BEAT KIDS”, “LAST QUARTER” and ”SCHOOL WARS : HERO” will be shown at International Film Panorama. Toshi Shioya, director of “BEAT KIDS” will join the festival and greet at his film screening. Also, director Yoji Yamada was invited to the festival and would visit Shanghai from June 10th through 15th. Films of Yoji Yamada featured in this festival are “THE HIDDEN BLADE”, “FINAL TAKE”, “WHERE SPRING COMES LATE”, “TORA-SAN OUR LOVABLE TRAMP”, and “THE LOVABLE TRAMP.” 2005/05/02 An entertainment news magazine, "Variety" featured 'Shochiku 110th Years' on its April 25th issue. 2005/04/27 Umezu Horror, film adaptations by director Kiyoshi Kurosawa will be on sale at Cannes: Kiyoshi Kurosawa has created a movie from the 6 comics written by renowned manga artist Kazuo Umezu. The film ?gHOUSE OF BUGS?h is going on sale at the 57th Cannes Film Festival on May. The works adapted to film are from a collection of six short stories contained in the ?gHORROR THEATER?h released by well-known publisher Shogakukan to celebrate the 50th year of Umezu?fs writing career. Kurosawa?fs previous horror film ?eThe Circuit?f won the International Film Critics Award at the 54th Cannes Film Festival held in 2001, and received great praise in France. Umezu has said that he wants the world to appreciate how fear can create the ultimate psycho-drama. 2005/04/18  The Golden Tulip Award has been given to CAFÉ LUMIÈRE directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien at the 24th International Istanbul Film Festival that was held from April 2nd through 17th, 2005 in Istanbul, Turkey. 2005/04/12 QUILL is invited to show at Family Film Festival in TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL (05) that will be held from April 19th through May 1st, 2005 in New York City.  Director of the film, Yoichi Sai will attend the festival. 2005/03/18 “The Hidden Blade” written and directed by Yoji Yamada will be shown at the opening of the 29th Hong Kong International Film Festival, being held from March 22nd through April 6th, 2005.  The movie will screen at the Hong Kong Cultural Grand Theatre from 9:45PM on March 22nd.  In addition, one of Japan’s most famous and renowned film directors, Keisuke Kinoshita will be featured in a retrospective program entitled “The Cinematic Universe of Kinoshia Keisuke”, highlighting 18 films from his many great works.  This tribute to the great filmmaker is to be opened by his classic 1995 film, “You Were Like a Wild Chrysanthemum” at the Hong Kong Science Museum Lecture Hall from 9:30PM on March 23rd. (details at FESTIVAL & MARKET) 2005/01/21 + THE HIDDEN BLADE by Yoji YAMADA in COMPETITION at 55th BERLINALE The Festival official has announced that Yoji YAMADA’s THE HIDDEN BLADE has been selected for the COMPETITION at 55th BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. Yamada is to attend the festival in next month. Screening info is here ( 20.01.2005) +SHOCHIKU receives BERLINALE CAMERA AWARD Berlin International Film Festival’s coveted BERLINALE CAMERA AWARD will be awarded to SHOCHIKU at next month’s festival for its contribution to the development of the motion picture industry in Japan and to the Berlin fest over the years. Shochiku is the first company to receive this prestigious award. In celebration of the company’s anniversary, there will be a special screening of its classic TWENTY-FOUR EYES from legendary director Keisuke KINOSHITA at the award ceremony. +SHOCHIKU unveils plans for 110th Anniversary Celebration in 2005 2004/11/01 +Director Yoji Yamada to Receive Award for Cultural Merit The officials has announced that the renowned director Yoji Yamada (73) will be rewarded with the Award for Cultural Merit for his contribution in the Japanese Cinema. Its ceremony will be held on Nov.4th in Tokyo. +DreamWorks buys rights to 'Casshern' DreamWorks Pictures has taken domestic distribution rights to the Japanese feature "Casshern". Based on a 1970s animation series, the live-action feature follows a young man reborn as a bioengineered being who becomes involved in a bitter struggle between humankind and androids. Japan's Shochiku released the film in April in its home country. The film, directed by Kazuaki Kiriya, was produced by Hideshi Miyajima, Toshiraru Ozawa and Toshiaki Wakabayashi. (Staff Report, Hollywood Reporter / Oct. 27, 2004) +AFM information is now available. >> HERE 2004/09/01 SHOCHIKU introduces Korean agent As of September 1st, Shochiku has closed the contract with Mr. Do Jae-Hoon as the agent in Korea, mainly for the reinforcement of the sales activity in its market that has grown its significance so rapidly in Asia today. With the abundant background of his career at Bear Entertainment, SRE Corporation and Premiere Entertainment where he was active for the acquisition of Japanese films and animation, the efficient perspective for its sales of Shochiku films is expected. 2004/08/27 QUILL : * 29th Toronto Int'l Film Festival (Contemporary World Cinema /Sept.9-18) OUT OF THIS WORLD : * 9th Pusan Int'l Film Festival (Window on Asian Cinema /Oct.7-15) CAFÉ LUMIÈRE * 61st Venice Inter'l Film Festival(Competition /Sept.1-11) * 29th Toronto Inter'l Film Festival(Masters /Sept.9-18) * 23rd Vancouver Int'l Film Festival(Dragon and Tigers /Sept.23-Oct.8) * 42nd NY Film Festival(Oct.1-17) * 9th Pusan Int'l Film Festival (Window on Asian Cinema / Oct.7-15) 2004/08/13 QUILL is currently making a successfully big box office record in Hong Kong which turns out to rank 1st in the record since its release on August 5th. »go to Hong Kong Version QUILL Website »go to Golden Scene website 2004/08/09 Pusan International Film Festival has announced that the Taiwanese director HOU Hsiao-Hsien will be awarded with its Asian Film Makers of the Year. 2004/08/06 9th Pusan International Film Festival has announced that HOU Hsiao-Hsien's CAFÉ LUMIÈRE will be presented at its Window on Asian Cinema section and CASSHERN by Kazuaki Kiriya to be showcased at Open Cinema Section. 2004/07/05 Director Yoji Yamada's Retrospective will be held at the 6th Brasilia International Film Festival(Brazil, July 14-25, 2004). 2004/05/27 Junichi Sakomoto, the former Executive Vice President and Representative Director, has succeeded as President and Representative Director, Chief Executive Officer after Nobuyoshi Otani, who has been inaugurated as Vice Chairman and Representative Director as of May 27th, 2004. 2004/05/26 OUT OF THIS WORLD has been selected for the official competition of the 39th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.(Czech Republic,July 2-10,2004) 2004/05/09 HEAVEN'S BOOKSTORE has been selected for the official competition of the 7th Shanghai International Film Festival ( China, June 5-13, 2004 ) 2004/04/30 THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI has won Best Audience Award at Far East Film in Udine, Italy. 2004/04/04 THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI has won the 23rd Hong Kong Film Award as Best Asian Film. 2004/02/27 THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI has been nominated for the 76th Academy Award as Best Foreign Language Film of the Year.