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The Tokyo International Film Festival undertook a series of bold changes in 2020 to enhance its international reach, including a location change and major shakeups across staffing and programming. For the global film community, however, much of the overhaul went unfelt due to the travel restrictions of the pandemic. The Tokyo festival’s chairman, Hiroyasu Ando, emphasized at a press conference in the Japanese capital Wednesday that the event “aims to take a bigger leap” this year with its upcoming 36th edition, making good on its ambitions for a transformation.

“We’re really focussing on international interaction,” Ando said, noting that the festival would welcome some 600 overseas guests this year, including filmmakers, jury members and industry professionals, a major uptick from the 104 international industry VIPs who attended in 2022.

The Tokyo International Film Festival will open Oct. 23 with a gala screening of acclaimed German auteur Wim Wenders’ Tokyo-set drama Perfect Days, which...

Japan has selected Perfect Days, the Tokyo-based fiction feature from German filmmaker Wim Wenders, as its entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2024 Oscars.

The pic, which debuted in competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, was picked by the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan. The decision marks the first time a non-Japanese filmmaker has been chosen to lead the country’s Oscars push. Wenders’ Perfect Days is likely to have beat out Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy And The Heron for the spot.

The film’s official synopsis reads: Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine, he enjoys his passion for music and books. He loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveals more of his past.

Starring are Koji Yakusho (Babel), newcomer Arisa Nakano,...

This year's edition of Cannes film festival offered a number of high quality titles from Asia, both in competiton(s) and side bar programmes. One of the most awaited films was Takeshi Kitano's “Kubi” screened in Premiere section, in director's presence. Back to the samurai genre, 20 years after the critically acclaimed “Zatoichi” and with a period piece based on his own historic novel published in 2019, Kitano struggled to bring his characters close to the audience, but stayed faithful to the title by making many heads roll. “Kubi” (which was also the title of his novel) means “neck”, a beloved target of the samurai sword. This is allegedly the last film by “Beat”, if we take his statement before the festival kicked off seriously.

A year after his drama “Broker” brought Palme D'Or for Best Actor to Song Kang-ho, and five after he was awarded Palme D'Or for “Shoplifters”, Hirokazu Koreeda...

Wim Wenders’ Tokyo-based Cannes Competition title Perfect Days has clocked a series of international deals for The Match Factory.

Deals reported include UK/Ireland/Latam/Turkey (Mubi), Australia/New Zealand (Madman), Benelux (Paradiso), China (DDDream), Italy (Lucky Red), Spain (A Contracorriente), Switzerland (Dcm), Baltics (A-One Baltics), Bulgaria (Art Fest), Cis (A-One), Czech Republic and Slovakia (Aerofilms), Former Yugoslavia (McF), Greece (Feelgood Entertainment), Hong Kong (Edko Films), Hungary (Cirko), Israel (Lev Cinemas), Poland (Gutek), Portugal (Alambique), Romania (Bad Unicorn), Scandinavia (Future Film) and Taiwan (Applause).

North American rights were previously sold to Neon, while France went to Haut et Court.

The official synopsis for the movie reads: Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected...

Exclusive: Neon is nearing a deal for North American rights to Cannes competition entry Perfect Days from The Match Factory in a deal pegged in the mid-to-high six figures.

The parties declined to comment.

Wim Wenders’ well-received Japan-set movie debuted today on the Croisette. The official synopsis for the movie reads: Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past.

Starring are Koji Yakusho (Babel), newcomer Arisa Nakano, Tokio Emoto (Norwegian Wood), Yumi Aso (Carnation), Sayuri Ishikawa, Tomokazu Miura (Adrift in Tokyo), Aoi Yamada (Netflix series First Love) and veteran actor and dancer Min Tanaka (The Twilight Samurai).

Related: Cannes Film Festival 2023: All...

Exclusive: The Match Factory will be handling world sales on Wim Wenders’ Japan-set Cannes Competition entry Perfect Days.

The film reunites three-time Oscar nominee Wenders with Cannes, where he has debuted 12 movies and previously won the Palme d’Or for Paris, Texas.

The official synopsis reads: “Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past.” Above is a first look image of the film.

Starring are Koji Yakusho (Babel), newcomer Arisa Nakano, Tokio Emoto (Norwegian Wood), Yumi Aso (Carnation), Sayuri Ishikawa, Tomokazu Miura (Adrift in Tokyo), Aoi Yamada (Netflix series First Love) and veteran actor and dancer...

Hybrid is probably the word to best suit Michael Arias’ “Tekkonkinkreet”. Based on Taito Matsumoto’s manga “Black & White”, it is the story of Yin and Yang brothers Kuro (“Black”) and Shiro (“White”) as they battle to save their home from adults, greedy bad guys and inner demons.

Tekkonkinkreet is screening at Japan Society

Treasure Town is an island in the middle of the city – a lawless neighborhood that nobody runs, but everybody claims. Children run the streets, to the annoyance of the yakuza; while the police holds little real power. But this is the chaotic order in place. That is until Hebi and his evil empire want to raze Treasure Town to the ground and build an amusement park in the name of profit. This evil force unites the inhabitants against this outsider as they gradually realize the plans in place, and it’s up to out two young heroes to fight back.

The Tokyo International Film Festival has set boxing picture “Underdog,” directed by Take Masaharu, as the opening title for its 33rd edition. The festival will run Oct. 31 to Nov. 9, when it will close with Hajime Hashimoto’s “Hokusai.”

The festival plans to hold physical screenings in Tokyo theaters, but few overseas guests or filmmakers will be able to participate in person. The Tiffcom rights market will be held entirely online, it was announced in recent days.

“Underdog” stars Mirai Moriyama, Takumi Kitamura and Ryo Katsuji, and is Take’s first boxing-themed film in six years, since “100 Yen Love.” It depicts the lives of three desperate fighters as they square off in the ring, to attempt their comebacks.

“Hokusai” is the story of legendary Japanese artist Hokusai Katsushika and his unique talent, known as the “Secret of Three Waves.” The artist is best known for his “Thirty-six Views of Mount...

Boxing drama Underdog is directed by Masaharu Take, while Hokusai is a biopic directed by Hajime Hashimoto.

This year’s Tokyo International Film Festival will open with Masaharu Take’s Underdog, and close with Hokusai, directed by Hajime Hashimoto and starring Yuya Yagira and Min Tanaka.

Underdog, which stars Mirai Moriyama, Takumi Kitamura and Ryo Katsuji, is Take’s first boxing-themed film since his award-winning 100 Yen Love (2014). It depicts the lives of three fighters who have been abandoned in life, as they cross fists in the ring to attempt their comebacks.

Hokusai is the story of legendary Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hokusai Katsushika,...

Hokusai’s artwork has become globally recognized, with the “The Great Wave of Kanagawa” arguably the most iconic and influential Japanese painting. Director Hajime Hashimoto’s “Hokusai” looks to pay homage to the iconic artist Hokusai Katsushika through chronicling both his youth and later years, played by Yuya Yagiri and Min Tanaka, respectively.

The production has a tentative release date of May 29th, 2020. A full length trailer was recently made available, which can be viewed below.

Synopsis

As a young man, Hokusai Katsushika (Yuya Yagira) is an unpopular painter. He is conflicted by his work, but he decides to keep painting. As an old man, Hokusai Katsushika (Min Tanaka) still has passion for painting and strives to improve his work. (Asian Wiki)...

Stars: Jung-jae Lee, Ji-tae Yu, Min Tanaka, Jin-young Jung, Sang-woo Lee, Lee Jae-in, Jung-min Park, Seung-chul Baek, Seon-kyu Jin, Jung-min Hwang, Hong-pa Kim, Suk Mun, Ji-hwan Park, Ji Seung-Hyun | Written and Directed by Jang Jae-hyun

Svaha: The Sixth Finger, brought to Netflix as part of their commitment to Korean programming, is directed by Jang Jae-hyun and stars Jung-jae Lee as Pastor Park. A spiritual occultist who investigates documented religious sectors to decipher their intentions for either good or for evil. Park is hired, along with his understudy, played by Ji-tae yu, to look into the cult group Deer Mount. Unbeknownst to the two, Chief Hwang (Jin-young Jung) begins to investigate a murder that has links to the group. Both sides collide in unearthing a haunting conspiracy and are fully thrown into a horrifying investigation that is filled with secrets.

Jang Jae-hyun’s film is cocktail of Roman Polanski’s The Ninth Gate...

Stars: Masato Sakai, Mitsuki Takahata, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Min Tanaka, Jun Kunimura, Hiroko Yakushimaru, Tomokazu Miura, Sakura Ando, Tamao Nakamura, Koji Ohkura, Mayu Tsuruta | Written and Directed by Takashi Yamazaki

The honeymoon is over for newlyweds Akiko and Masakazu Isshiki, who’ve just moved into his family home in the quiet town of Kamakura. While her husband, an author of fantastic fiction, struggles with writers block, Akiko has to come to terms with the rough spots in a marriage – the misunderstandings, the doubts, her husbands obsessive toy-train hobby. And then there are the peculiarities of Kamakura, which, as Masakazu remarks offhandedly, has been a magnet for mystical energy for millennia. Ghosts, goblins, even a charming local death god amble through its streets, and what’s more, her husband moonlights as a “spectral investigator” for the local police! For such a sleepy little town, there are certainly a lot of strange things going on.

Percussionist, professor, free-jazz drummer, acupuncturist, herbalist, independent electro-cardiologist, martial artist, sculptor—Milford Graves doesn’t settle down and he doesn’t stick to one thing. Rather, these different identities all feed into this autodidact and polymath’s interest in the body and the human heart, as well the natural world’s relationship with them. Graves the man, the musician, his lifestyle, and his unwavering beliefs are the subject of Jake Meginsky and co-director Neil Young’s recent film, Milford Graves: Full Mantis (2018), which with Stephen Schible’s Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda (2017), is one of two portraits of artists now playing in New York City.Born on August 20, 1941 in Jamaica, Queens, Milford Graves is one of the seminal figures of free jazz, avant-garde jazz, or any other type of classification that describes the genre of the late 1950s and 1960s. Although his discography is slim (which is perhaps due to the...

Integration and second opportunities are only two of the ideas that director Daihachi Yoshida has included in his multifaceted latest movie. Based on Tatsuhiko Yamagami and Mikio Igarashi’s manga Hitsuji no Ki (羊の木), “The Scythian Lamb“ won the Kim Ji Seok award at the 2017 Busan International Film Festival and subsequently has been well received in many important Festivals.

Scythian Lamb is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival

The title itself is cryptic and opened to many interpretations; the Vegetable Lamb of Tartary (Agnus Scythicus) is a legendary zoophyte of Central Asia, believed to grow sheep as fruit. The sheep were connected to the plant by an umbilical cord and grazed the grass around the plant. When the food was gone or – in other versions of the legend – when the cord was severed, both the plant and sheep died. An intriguing and slightly disturbing myth, just like the tone of the movie.

Netflix has released a new trailer for ‘The Outsider‘, a new crime thriller starring Jered Leto. The film is set in post-wwii Japan, where Leto plays an american Pow who is forced to repay a debt while navigating the criminal underworld. Although the last time we saw Leto was in ‘Blade Runner 2049‘, this performance seems to see the actor to stretch some different muscles while also keeping his well-known method approach. The fact the Leto seems to be playing a more subtle ruthless killer adds some spice to what could be a very routine movie.

The film has been long in the works. The script was penned in 2011, and throughout it’s development big stars like Michael Fassbender and Tom Hardy were attaached at one point or another. Netflix acquired worldwide rights to the film in 2016, hiring Danish filmmaker Martin Zandvliet to direct the script that was co-written by...

Author: Zehra Phelan

Netflix has released a new trailer for The Outsider in which Jared Leto takes on the role as a jailed American soldier who is freed by his Yakuza cellmate and ends up joining the criminal syndicate as a way to repay his debt.

After being stuck in development limbo, the film, which at one point had Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy to star and Takashi Miike to direct finally gets a release with Suicide Squad’s Leto taking the lead.

Trailer to watch: Saoirse Ronan stars in first look trailer for On Chesil Beach

Directed by Land of Mine’s Martin Zandvliet, the film stars Leto alongside Tadanobu Asano, Kippei Shiina, Shioli Kutsuna, Emile Hirsch, Raymond Nicholson, Rory Cochrane, Nao Omori, and Min Tanaka.

The film hits Netflix March 9th.

The Outsider Official Synopsis

Set in post-wwii Japan, an imprisoned American soldier (Leto) is released with the help of his Yakuza cellmate.

"I understand... In life, sometimes we fight the current." Netflix has debuted the first official trailer for an action crime drama titled The Outsider, which will be available on Netflix starting next week - not much of a wait. They're getting better at dropping new films out of nowhere. The Outsider is the latest feature made by Danish director Martin Zandvliet, who last made the Oscar-nominated (from 2016) film Land of Mine. Jared Leto stars in this as an imprisoned American soldier in post-wwii Japan. After being released, he ends up working for the Yakuza to earn their respect and repay his debt. The full cast includes Tadanobu Asano, Kippei Shiina, Shioli Kutsuna, Emile Hirsch, Raymond Nicholson, Rory Cochrane, Nao Omori, and Min Tanaka. Okay, this actually looks pretty damn cool. Definitely worth looking into below. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Martin Zandvliet's The Outsider, direct from YouTube: Set in post-wwii Japan,...

Netflix has released an intriguing first trailer for Jared Leto's upcoming crime thriller The Outsider. The story is an interesting one as it follows an "American soldier (Leto) who is imprisoned in postwar Japan and he enters the dark world of the yakuza, adopting their way of life in repayment for his freedom." After he is free, "he sets out to earn their respect and repay his debt while navigating the dangerous criminal underworld."

This seriously looks like it's going to be a great movie! I love the concept and the story, which is going to dive deep into the world of Japan's criminal underworld. That's always fascinated me.

The film was directed by Martin Zandvliet (Land of Mine) and the rest of the cast includes Tadanobu Asano, Kippei Shiina, Shioli Kutsuna, Emile Hirsch, Raymond Nicholson, Rory Cochrane, Nao Omori and Min Tanaka.

The Outsider premieres on Netflix on March 9th.

On February 13th, an immortal samurai's vengeance can be yours to own. Takashi Miike's centennial film Blade of the Immortal is coming to Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of Magnolia Home Entertainment, and it comes with five special features. Continue reading for specs and a look at the red band trailer in case you missed it.

Blu-ray.com reports that Blade of the Immortal, Takashi Miike's 100th film, will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on February 13th from Magnolia Home Entertainment. The Blu-ray release will include the following special features:

Manji vs. 300 - Featurette Takuya Kimura Interview Cast Interviews Poster Gallery Original Trailers

Synopsis: "Cursed with immortality, a highly skilled samurai in feudal Japan promises to help a young woman avenge the death of her parents. Their mission leads them into a bloody battle with a ruthless warrior and his band of master swordsmen."

Directed by Takashi Miike and...

Over the better part of three decades, filmmaker Takashi Miike has dazzled viewers with bold cinematic visions like 13 Assassins, Audition, and Ichi the Killer. Now, for his 100th film, Miike shows us the high body count that comes from a warrior who can't die in Blade of the Immortal, and we've been provided with an exclusive look at the alternative poster for the film.

You can check out the stylish slashes on the exclusive alternative poster below, and keep an eye out for Blade of the Immortal in theaters this November from Magnet Releasing.

Synopsis: "Manji, a highly skilled samurai, becomes cursed with immortality after a legendary battle. Haunted by the brutal murder of his sister, Manji knows that only fighting evil will regain his soul. He promises to help a young girl named Rin avenge her parents, who were killed by a group of master swordsmen led by ruthless warrior Anotsu.

Based on the manga series of the same name by Hiroaki Samura, Takashi Miike’s Blade Of The Immortal follows “an immortal swordsman who will not be able to lift his curse of everlasting life until 1000 evildoers feel the cut of his steel.”

Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty, and now lives life in feudal Japan as a criminal. After being cursed with immortality until he kills enough evil men, Manji meets a young girl who enlists him to be her body-guard. Swearing loyalty, protection and vengeance against the group of sword fighters who slaughtered her family, the unlikely duo set on a remarkable quest to make right against those who did them wrong.

Starring Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki, Blade Of The Immortal hits Us cinemas on 3rd November...

Based on the manga series of the same name by Hiroaki Samura, Takashi Miike’s Blade Of The Immortal follows “an immortal swordsman who will not be able to lift his curse of everlasting life until 1000 evildoers feel the cut of his steel.”

Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty, and now lives life in feudal Japan as a criminal. After being cursed with immortality until he kills enough evil men, Manji meets a young girl who enlists him to be her body-guard. Swearing loyalty, protection and vengeance against the group of sword fighters who slaughtered her family, the unlikely duo set on a remarkable quest to make right against those who did them wrong.

Starring Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki, Blade Of The Immortal hits Us cinemas on 3rd November...

Tony Sokol Sep 1, 2017

Here's the trailer for Takashi Miike's Blade Of The Immortal...

“Sorry, got blood on it,” Samurai Manji apologises in the new Blood Of The Immortal trailer, undercutting a subtle action hero wit just under the skin of Takashi Miike's 100th film.

The trailer then shows the tireless warrior face off against armies, risking lives and losing limbs in a breakneck assault on the senses. The 13 Assassins director is still as fresh as the wounds his swordsmen inflict on armies of assassins. The film premiered in May at Cannes. Magnet Releasing announced Blade Of The Immortal will open in America in November, although no UK date has thus far been confirmed.

Written and directed by Miike, the epic fantasy film is is based on Hiroaki Samura’s Japanese manga series Blade Of The Immortal.

“Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty,...

Premiering at Cannes this year, Takashi Miike brought his (100th!) new film Blade of the Immortal, a jidaigeki (period drama) action film based on the manga series by Hiroaki Samura. The story follows Manji, a samurai who cannot be killed by any wound, but who is vulnerable to a rare poison. Manji is enlisted by a young girl to avenge her parents, who were killed by a master swordsman.

Now set for a North American premiere at Fantastic Fest followed by a release in November, the first U.S. red band trailer has landed courtesy of Magnet Releasing. Featuring a wild ensemble of characters and slick-looking action, it’s looking like the ideal alternative from prestige fare this fall. Starring Takuya Kimura, Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi, Ebizô Ichikawa, Min Tanaka, and Tsutomu Yamazaki, see the trailer below.

Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty, and...

Magnet Releasing, the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, has just posted the Red Band trailer for the upcoming film "Blade Of The Immortal", based on the manga by Hiroaki Samura. The film is directed by Takashi Miike and written by Tetsuya Oishi. Takuya Kimura, one of Japan's biggest stars ("Space Battleship"), plays the lead alongside newcomer Hana Sugisaki. Sôta Fukushi and Ebizô Ichikawa ("13 Assassins") round out the cast with veterans Min Tanaka and Tsutomu Yamazaki. "Blade Of The Immortal" marks Japanese director Takashi Miike's 100th film ! The Blade of the Immortal manga was first published in “Afternoon” from June 25, 1993 to December 25, 2012. An anime adaptation was produced in 2008 as well as a Japanese novel. The American version of the novel was released in...

From RedBand.Ca, Sneak Peek the restricted 'red band' trailer supporting director Takashi Miike's live-action "Blade Of The Immortal" Japanese 'jidaigeki' action feature, starring Takuya Kimura, Hana Sugisaki, Sōta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara,Erika Toda,Kazuki Kitamura, Chiaki Kuriyama, Shinnosuke Mitsushima, Ichikawa Ebizō XI, Min Tanaka and Tsutomu Yamazaki, adapting the 'manga' comics series by Hiroaki Samura:

"....'Manji' is a samurai who apparently cannot be killed by any injury.

"He crosses paths with 'Rin Asano', whose parents were killed by a group of master swordsmen...

"...and promises to avenge their deaths..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Blade Of The Immortal"....

Over the better part of three decades, filmmaker Takashi Miike has dazzled viewers with bold cinematic visions like 13 Assassins, Audition, and Ichi the Killer. Now, for his 100th film, Miike shows us the high body count that comes from a warrior who can't die in Blade of the Immortal, featured in a new red band trailer brimming with gorgeously orchestrated action piles of dismembered limbs.

"Samurai Manji has taken a lot of lives, both innocent and guilty, and now lives life in feudal Japan as a criminal. After being cursed with immortality until he kills enough evil men, Manji meets a young girl who enlists him to be her body-guard. Swearing loyalty, protection and vengeance against the group of sword fighters who slaughtered her family, the unlikely duo set on a remarkable quest to make right against those who did them wrong."

Written and directed by Takashi Miike, Blade of the Immortal stars Takuya Kimura,...

"There is a man somewhere in edo who will never die." Magnet Releasing has debuted a badass, bloody new red band trailer for Takashi Miike's Blade of the Immortal, being billed as the "100th film" from the Japanese filmmaker. Adapted from a manga of the same name, it's about an immortal samurai who has to kill 1000 evil men in order to regain his mortality after being hired to protect a young girl. Starring Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki. The film first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and is also playing at Fantastic Fest this fall. I interviewed Takashi Miike at Cannes, talking about violence and more. This has some seriously awesome action, and a totally weird, wild story. As expected from Miike. Here's the newest red band trailer for Takashi Miike's Blade of the Immortal,...

Filmed over three days inside the Fort Greene brownstone of jazz piano legend Cecil Taylor, the 70-minute chamber piece The Silent Eye unfolds as one long jam, with only a couple of costume changes betraying the passage of time as the 88-year-old Taylor riffs with Japanese dancer Min Tanaka, a longtime collaborator. The result is a near-wordless tribute to the spirit of live performance embodied by the pianist-poet, with whom director Amiel Courtin-Wilson has been working for years on a more traditional biographical documentary. Screening in Melbourne after premiering at the Whitney's Taylor showcase in April, this intimate curio might put some festivalgoers to sleep...

'Top of the Lake: China Girl' will make its Australian debut at Miff.

The Melbourne International Film Festival (Miff) has unveiled the first 30 films on its line-up ahead of the full program launch in July..

Among the highlights at this year.s festival, to be held August 3-20, is actually a television series: the Australian premiere of Jane Campion.s series Top of the Lake: China Girl, fresh from Cannes..

All six episodes of the show, starring Elisabeth Moss and Nicole Kidman, will play in three concurrent two-hour sessions, before the show goes on to air on Foxtel.s BBC First.

Another Aussie highlight will be documentary The Silent Eye, from director Amiel Courtin-Wilson (Hail, Ruin), which follows free jazz pioneer Cecil Taylor and modern dance artist Min Tanaka..

Many of the Aussie films that are screening at Sydney Film Festival will also head south for Miff, including a double bill froom Kriv Stenders,...

Exclusive: HanWay inks deal with Arrow Films, which plots “major” release.

Arrow Films has acquired all UK rights for Blade Of The Immortal from HanWay at Cannes Film Festival.

Takashi Miike’s samurai epic, based on Hiroaki Samura’s long-running manga of the same name, follows an immortal warrior who is enlisted by a young girl to avenge her parents’ slaughter at the hand of a group of master swordsmen.

Takuya Kimura (Hero), plays the lead alongside newcomer Hana Sugisaki. Sôta Fukushi and Ebizô Ichikawa (13 Assassins) round out the cast with veterans Min Tanaka and Tsutomu Yamazaki.

Arrow plans to release the film later this year.

The film was written by Tetsuya Oishi and produced by Jeremy Thomas, Misako Saka, and Shigeji Maeda, with Warner Bros Japan.

The deal was negotiated by Mark Lane at HanWay Films on behalf of the filmmakers with Tom Stewart, acquisitions director of Arrow Films, who said of...

Takashi Miike’s latest samurai film, “Blade of the Immortal” (“Mugen no jûnin”), is one of the five films screening Out of Competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The movie — the 100th for the Japanese director — was produced by Academy Award winner Jeremy Thomas (“The Last Emperor”). The film stars Takuya Kimura in the lead role.

Read More: Blade of the Immortal’ Review: Takashi Miike’s Landmark Feature Is One of His Most Lethal Genre Offerings Ever – Cannes

Based on Hiroaki Samura’s eponymous manga series, the film follows a masterful samurai named Manji (Kimura) who is cursed with immortality as a result of an epic battle. He’s haunted by the murder of his sister, and resorts to fighting evil in order to regain his soul. He helps a young girl (Hana Sugisaki) avenge her parents’ killing by a group of master swordsmen led by ruthless warrior...

"We are here to remove you." Feast your eyes on this! HanWay Films has debuted a new official trailer for Takashi Miike's Blade of the Immortal, which is premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this week. This is technically Miike's 100th film (!!) and it's another samurai, sword fighting epic. Adapted from a manga of the same name, it's about an immortal samurai who has to kill 1000 evil men in order to regain his mortality after being hired to protect a girl. Starring Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki. I actually just saw this film a few hours ago and it's badass, with some truly epic fights involving hundreds of samurais. It's violent, and bloody, and funny at times, with gorgeous sets and costumes. Take a look below. Here's the new official trailer for Takashi Miike's Blade of the Immortal,...

Even a film festival as Important and Prestigious as Cannes needs a couple movies to serve as a breather between the usually heavy, serious fare that marks the majority of the programming. This year, that duty falls on Takashi Miike‘s “Blade Of The Immortal,” with the prolific Japanese filmmaker serving up a samurai saga.

Takuya Kimura, Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi, Ebizô Ichikawa, Min Tanaka, and Tsutomu Yamazaki star in the movie about an immortal samurai who attempts to reclaim his soul by helping a young woman avenge her parents.

Continue reading Meet An Immortal Warrior In First Trailer For Takashi Miike’s Samurai Cannes Film ‘Blade Of The Immortal’ at The Playlist.

Exclusive: Watch the first full-length English-language trailer for samurai epic.

Screen can reveal the first full-length English-language trailer for Takashi Miike’s samurai epic Blade Of The Immortal, which is playing out of competition in Cannes.

Watch the trailer, whose kick-ass theme song comes from Japanese musician Miyavi, below or on mobile Here.

Magnet releasing recently acquired Us rights to the movie which is sold by HanWay.

The film is based on Hiroaki Samura’s long-running manga of the same name about a warrior enlisted by a young girl to avenge her parents’ slaughter by master swordsmen.

Takuya Kimura stars alongside newcomer Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi, Ebizô Ichikawa, and veterans of the screen Min Tanaka, and Tsutomu Yamazaki.

Tetsuya Oishi wrote the screenplay and producers are Jeremy Thomas, Misako Saka, and Shigeji Maeda, in association with Warner Bros Japan.

Read more:

Takashi Miike talks ‘Blade Of The Immortal’ and Cannes

The latest Cannes news, reviews and features...

Samurai epic plays out of competition in Cannes. HanWay handles international sales.

The genre arm of Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to Takashi Miike’s Cannes official selection Blade Of The Immortal.

The film will play out of competition and is based on Hiroaki Samura’s long-running manga of the same name. Magnet plans to release the film later this year.

Blade Of The Immortal follows a warrior enlisted by a young girl to avenge her parents’ slaughter by master swordsmen.

Takuya Kimura stars alongside newcomer Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi, Ebizô Ichikawa, and veterans of the screen Min Tanaka, and Tsutomu Yamazaki.

Tetsuya Oishi wrote the screenplay and producers are Jeremy Thomas, Misako Saka, and Shigeji Maeda, in association with Warner Bros Japan.

Magnolia / Magnet also have rights to two more films in Cannes: Arnaud Desplechin’s festival opener Ismael’s Ghosts, and Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or contender The Square.

“We’ve been...

Keep up with the wild and wooly world of indie film acquisitions with our weekly Rundown of everything that’s been picked up around the globe. Check out last week’s Rundown here.

– IFC Films has acquired the U.S rights to director Jamie M. Dagg’s thriller “Sweet Virginia,” starring Jon Bernthal, Christopher Abbott, Imogen Poots, Rosemarie DeWitt and Odessa Young. The film, which premiered at the recent Tribeca Film Festival, was written by Ben and Paul China from their Black List script, and was produced by Brian Kavanaugh-Jones for Automatik, Chris Ferguson for Oddfellows and Fernando Loureiro and Roberto Vasconcellos for Exhibit, who also financed.

Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: Focus Features Picks Up ‘Tully,’ Electric Entertainment Buys ‘Lbj’ and More

Xyz Films is currently handling international sales and will screen the film at the upcoming Marché du Film at Cannes. “Sweet Virginia” is a riveting thriller that...

For over two decades, director Takashi Miike has garnered equal parts acclaim and controversy for his films due to their violent, often disturbing content. In recent years, Miike has become especially prolific, often directing one or two films per year. Next year, he will release his new action film “Blade of the Immortal,” about a warrior cursed with immortality who cannot free himself unless he kills 1,000 evil men. Based on the manga by the same name, the film stars Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki. Watch a very brief teaser trailer below.

Read More: Cannes Review: Takashi Miike Buys License For Next Five Duds With Transcendently Batsh*t ‘Yakuza Apocalypse’

Miike first garnered international fame with his 1999 romantic horror film “Audition,” about a widower who auditions women to become his next wife only for one to turn the tables on him.

More Miike! A very, very brief teaser trailer has debuted for the latest Takashi Miike film, an adaptation of a manga about an immortal samurai. Blade of the Immortal, originally Mugen no jûnin in Japanese, is about a samurai who has to kill 1000 evil men in order to regain his mortality. Starring Hana Sugisaki, Ebizô Ichikawa, Sôta Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, Erika Toda, Kazuki Kitamura, Min Tanaka, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki. Based on the concept (and final shot in this) alone, it reminds me of 13 Assassins, which is one of Miike's best action movies. I wish there was more to see, but I'm sure we'll get more trailers before April. No Us release is set yet, but hopefully it'll be out in 2017 in the Us, too. Here's the first brief teaser trailer (+ poster) for Takashi Miike's Blade of the Immortal, from YouTube: Blade of the Immortal is about "an...

Great news UK readers and fans of Rurouni Kenshin! The final chapter of the live-action version of Nobuhiro Watsuki’s best-selling manga will finally hit the cinemas of the UK.

Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, directed by Keishi Ohtomo, will be released on 17th April. The movie features Tekeru Satoh, Emi Takei, Munetaka Aoki, Kaito Oyagi, Tatsuya Fujiwara, among other actors. With a running time of more than two hours and some of the most incredible jaw dropping sword fight scenes this film will for sure please hardcore fans and noobies.

Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends

Director: Keishi Ohtomo

Screenwriter: Nobuhiro Watsuki (manga), Kiyomi Fuji, Keishi Ohtomo

Cast: Tatsuya Fijiwara, Tekeru Sato, Emi Takei, Masaharu Fukuyama, Min Tanaka

Photography: Takuro Ishizaka

Production: Japan | 2014

Original Title: Ruroni Kenshin: Densetsu no saigo-hen

Genre: Action | Adventure | Drama

Duration: 134 minutes

Release: 17th April, 2015 (UK)

The final battle is near. Shishio now armed...

Stars: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Ko Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano, Min Tanaka, Jin Akanishi, Masayoshi Haneda, Hiroshi Sogabe, Takato Yonemoto, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Rinko Kikuchi | Written by Chris Morgan, Hossein Amini | Directed by Carl Rinsch

An ancient Japanese legend tells the story of 47 samurai, seeking revenge on a rival warlord who killed their master and banished them from their homeland, making them ‘Ronin’. 47 Ronin is the Hollywood take on this legend, throwing magic, giant beasts and fantasy adventure into the mix as the Ronin, lead by a ‘half breed’ known as ‘Kai’ (Keanu Reeves), seek to destroy Lord Kira (Tadanobu Asano) and his witch protector (Rinko Kikuchi) and restore their honour.

The first thing to be said about 47 Ronin is that it is very CGI heavy. Some people find that kind of thing very annoying, although in this case I felt it did add a lot to the film. The magic felt a lot more potent,...

Properly channeling Japanese culture for American audiences has been a challenge given how different our tastes and expectations are. We find the content of much of their Manga and anime either not to our taste or outright incomprehensible. So, the challenge of adapting their bushido Edo-era and adding in some powerful fantasy into 47 Ronin was going to be a challenge. Mix in American performer Keanu Reeves as a half-breed you have an uphill challenge in making the film palatable to enough moviegoers to justify the $170 million budget.

It has some terrific concepts and incredible visuals but it’s a mess of a movie, with a long, sluggish middle that loses the audience. Even amazing CG and a strong Asian cast can’t support a messy script.

The story, in short: Lord Asano Naganori (Min Tanaka) is disgraced after the efforts of Lord Kira (Tadanobu Asano), conspires with a shape-shifting witch...

Chicago – If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between a director and a producer, let “47 Ronin” explain how the hierarchy of creativity hinders the evolution of even the most straightforward-sounding pitches. “47 Ronin” is the type of samurai movie set in Japan that features native actors speaking only English, while Keanu Reeves stars as an outsider clearly plunked into the picture for stateside star power.

Co-written by Chris Morgan (the writer behind the “Fast & Furious” renaissance) and Hossein Amini (who wrote “Drive”), the film is directed by first-time helmer Carl Rinsch, whose popular science-fiction short “The Gift” is available for a look on Youtube. And even with the hands of Amini, Morgan, and Rinsch, the film’s vision is lost in a desperate appeal to fit different pieces that do not work together.

Better taken in the vacant mindset of a late night viewing, if at all, “47 Ronin” is...

A handsome movie in many ways, but it feels like an unpolished first draft, one that can’t quite decide how fantastical it wants to be. I’m “biast” (pro): like Keanu Reeves more than most

I’m “biast” (con): nothing

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)

This umpteenth iteration of the Japanese legend of the 47 ronin, or masterless samurai warriors, has its fair share of problems, but not as many as you’ve heard, and not as many as the presence of poor Keanu Reeves — who has unfairly become a cinematic punchline — may have led you to believe. Stolid, stoic Reeves (The Day the Earth Stood Still, Street Kings) is well-cast as the half-Japanese, half-British Kai, whose status as an outcast in xenophobic 18th-century Japan means he has to keep his eyes down and his mouth shut, and the actor maintains a modest presence throughout,...

Chicago – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Combo Pack with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 5 free Blu-ray and DVD combo packs up for grabs for the home entertainment release of the new visually stunning 3D film “47 Ronin” starring Keanu Reeves!

“47 Ronin,” which is rated “PG-13” and will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on April 1, 2014, also stars Hiroyuki Sanada, Ko Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano, Min Tanaka, Jin Akanishi, Masayoshi Haneda and Hiroshi Sogabe from director Carl Rinsch and writers Chris Morgan and Hossein Amini.

To win your free “47 Ronin” combo pack courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, get interactive with our unique Hookup technology directly below. That’s it! The more social actions you complete below, the higher yours odds of winning! Completing these social actions only increases your odds of winning; this doesn’t intensify your competition or lower your odds!

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Ruroni Kenshin The Great Kyoto Fire Arc Trailer. Keishi Ohtomo‘s Ruroni Kenshin: The Great Kyoto Fire Arc / Ruroni Kenshin: Kyoto Taika-hen (2014) movie trailer stars Tatsuya Fujiwara, Yu Aoi, Takeru Sato, Emi Takei, and Min Tanaka. “Kenshin Himura (Takeru Satoh) goes up against pure evil Makoto Shishio (Fujiwara Tatsuya), who [...]

Continue reading: Rurouni Kenshin: The Great Kyoto Fire Arc (2014) Movie Trailer...

The Tale of Iya

Written by Tetsuichirô Tsuta, Masaya Kawamura and Masayuki Ueda

Directed by Tetsuichirô Tsuta

Japan, 2013

Shot with remarkable assurance on 35mm film, Tetsuichirô Tsuta’s second feature The Tale of Iya instantly has the feel of a classic. It opens with a scene of serene and organic beauty, starting with a flurry of snow falling from the half-lit sky. A man in traditional rural dress walks out of a humble wooden shrine and stumbles through the drifts, simultaneously battling with and assimilating the hostile conditions. He comes across a car accident; the driver is flung through the windscreen and both passengers are obviously dead. Moving on, he notices a flash of pink on the frozen river, a baby girl in a snowsuit crawling on the ice. He watches her for a moment, then walks over and picks her up, as the snow continues to fall around them.

Film: "47 Ronin"; Cast: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Kou Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi, Min Tanaka and Jin Akanishi; Director: Carl Rinsch; Rating: *** - an impressive drama.

What starts off as an action-packed Samurai adventure thriller, slowly fizzles into a tragic Japanese period drama sprinkled with ounces of fantasy in the guise of witchcraft and sorcery.

The film pays homage to the legendary 47 Ronin, who according to folklore, in the 17th century wreaked a terrible vengeance on the official who had unjustly condemned their Lord Asano Naganori to death. They then placed the severed head of their.

A 'national legend' in Japan, the true life story of the 47 Ronin (master less Samurai) who avenged the death of their master years after he was shamed by a rival lord is the most famous example of Bushido, the samurai code of honour, and has been committed to film many times before, most of time staying close to the real life events, give or take some tiny embellishments. But it would take Hollywood, in the first English language version of the tale, to inject a heavy dose of fantasy, throwing mythical beasts, witchcraft, and Keanu Reeves into the mix. Reeves plays Kai, a 'half breed' outcast who was rescued by the benevolent Lord Asano (Min Tanaka), granted permission to serve the nobleman, slowly falling in love with Asano's daughter Mika (Kou Shiabaski). When Asano is tricked in to shaming himself, leading to his death, by the villainous Lord Kira (Tadanbou...

Rawhide Chew: Rinsch’s CGI Laden Retelling a Cardboard Snooze

The story of the 47 Ronin, a Japanese tale based in historical fact that has become a timeless standard, as well as an epic that has been molded into cinematic form by some of the country’s greatest auteurs, perhaps most notably by Kenji Mizoguchi with his 1941 version. Tastsuyasu Osone, Kunio Watanabe, and Hirsohi Inagaki all have versions floating around out there, while Kon Ichikawa’s rather tedious 1994 version was the most recent rendering. Until now. Director Carl Rinsch curiously makes his feature debut with a version of the tale that feels like it was yanked out of some bargain bin Brothers Grimm fairy tale, aiding the noble samurai with witches, dragons, a ‘half breed’ American movie star, and the English language.

While there are differing variations of the story, for the purposes at hand here it’s simplified to the...