Press Conference: Acclaimed Director
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PRESS RELEASE October 4, 2016 Press Conference: Acclaimed Director Shunji IWAI Appears to Highlight Japan Now Section A press conference was heldthrough to highlight Film the to TokyoJapan Now International Film Festival (TIFF)’s Japan Now section, followed by a screening of internationally acclaimed creator Shunji IWAI’s latest film, A Bride for Rip Van Winkle, at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan (FCCJ) this evening, on October 4. Following a welcoming address from Yasushi SHIINA, Tokyo International Film Festival Director General, the Programming Advisor of the Japan Now section, Kohei ANDO, talked about the lineup for the second year of the section, which is devoted to outstanding Japanese directors. ©2016 TIFF Along with special English-subtitled screenings of new films to boost their recognition internationally, there will also be special guest appearances. These will include Makoto Shinkai, director of your name., Kiyoshi Kurosawa, director of Daguerrotype, Koji Fukada, director of Harmonium, and many more. This year’s Japan Now Director in Focus, Shunji Iwai, whose groundbreaking style and youth-focused vision have been internationally hailed in his masterworks, was welcomed as a special guest at the press conference. He will also appear for Q&A sessions during TIFF. Over the 10-day celebration, more than 200 films will be screened and there will be unique film-related events every day at the festival venues, including stage appearances, Q&A sessions and symposia featuring celebrated guests from around the world. *The lineup and guests for Japan Now are listed on the following page. The 29th TIFF will take place from October 25 to November 3, 2016 at Roppongi Hills, EX Theater Roppongi (Minato City) and other venues in Tokyo. Notes and Quotes from the Press Conference Yasushi Shiina, Director General, Tokyo International Film Festival This year, TIFF will be showing the past, present, and future in films. The Japan Now Section features present Japan. And this year, in our new Youth Section, we will focus on films that portray children and teens, so that represents the future. We hope to bring in younger audiences, as they will be the generation to carry on the future of cinema. So, while the Youth Section looks to the future, the Japanese Classics Section revisits the history of Japanese cinema. Kohei Ando, Japan Now Programming Advisor Q: How did you select the films for the Director in Focus? A: It was so hard to narrow the selection down to just a few films, because Mr. Iwai has made so many wonderful pieces. Fireworks, Should We See it from the Side or the Bottom? was his first work that brought my attention to his name, Love Letter was an unbelievable feat for a first feature, Swallowtail Butterfly and Vampire are infused with his distinct aesthetics, and he has topped himself with A Bride for Rip Van Winkle. Q: When selecting the films for the Japan Now Section, is it your main criteria that they have international appeal? A: I just want to show good films. Now, a “good” film is difficult to define, so my own personal taste also goes into the selection. But I try to choose films that reflect Japan as it is today. Shunji Iwai, director Q: Do you have any plans for a co-production with China in the future? For further information or inquiries, please contact: TIFF Promotion Group Tel: +81-3-6226-3012; Fax: +81-3-6226-3023; email: [email protected] Publicity materials are available at www.image.net/ Official Website: www.tiff-jp.net/en/ A: I actually have produced and served as advisor for a couple of films with China. China is a rapidly expanding market, but as a director with a certain style, I welcome it. If the market opens up and expands, hopefully, there will be a trickle-down effect where the larger market can make more room for art films as well. Q: Any plans to venture into the Russia market? A: I think the Russians make quality films. They have this Dostoyevskian scale to them. I understand that the Russian people love a long story, so if the opportunity were ever to arrive, I would be more than happy to do something. Perhaps I could follow in the footsteps of Kurosawa, like when he did Dersu Uzala. Q: Do you have plans to continue directing animation films? A: I take my own personal approach to creating animated work. I have a team with me, and we produce music clips as well. I also like to draw, so working on animation brings me that joy. Greedy as it may sound, I would like continue to create both live action and animated work. The Case of Hana and Alice was shown in Europe this year, so in Europe I believe people see me as more of an animation director. Q: Is there any significance for you as a director to having your films shown at festivals, as opposed to having them released commercially? A: It is a good opportunity for me as a director to lay back and enjoy my films together with the fans and critics. There’s unbelievable pressure that comes with commercial releases, so festivals are a place where I can relax more. Shunji Iwai Shunji Iwai’s directing career began in 1988 with commercials, music videos and TV dramas. His cinematic style and vision came to be hailed as the “Iwai Aesthetic.” In 1995, he scored a huge hit across Asia with Love Letter. Other major works include Swallowtail Butterfly (96), All About Lily Lineup and Screening Schedule for Japan Now “Director in Focus: Shunji Iwai” Chou-Chou (01), Hana and Alice (04), Vampire (12) and The Case of Hana & Alice (15). 【Notes】 Oct. 28 (Fri) 12:00 * All films of the Director in Focus will be screened at Fireworks, Should TOHO CINEMAS Roppongi Hills except [OA]. We See it from the * [OA]… Open Air Screening at Roppongi Hills Arena Side or the Bottom? *[OA] No guest appearance © 1996 ROCKWELL EYES INC. Oct. 28 (Fri) 16:00 Oct. 28 (Fri) 20:00 Love Letter Swallowtail Butterfly Guest: Guest: Shunji Iwai (Director) Shunji Iwai (Director) © 1996 SWALLOWTAIL PRODUCTION © FUJI TELEVISION NETWORK COMMITTEE Oct. 29 (Sat) 12:00 Oct. 29 (Sat) 16:00 VAMPIRE A Bride for Rip Van Winkle Guest: Guest: Shunji Iwai (Director) Shunji Iwai (Director) VAMPIRE©2011 Rockwell Eyes,Inc.All © 2016 A Bride for Rip Van Winkle Film Rights Reserved. Partners For further information or inquiries, please contact: TIFF Promotion Group Tel: +81-3-6226-3012; Fax: +81-3-6226-3023; email: [email protected] Publicity materials are available at www.image.net/ Official Website: www.tiff-jp.net/en/ Lineup and Guests for Japan Now section * All films of JAPAN NOW section will be screened at TOHO CINEMAS Roppongi Hills. * Listed by Screening Schedule. * The guests are subject to change without prior notice. * QA will take place after the screenings. * [AN]…All Night screening Oct. 26 (Wed) 19:00 Oct. 27 (Thu) 10:35 TOO YOUNG TO DIE! your name. Guest: Guest: Kankuro Kudo Makoto Shinkai (Director) (Director) © 2016 TOHO CO., LTD. / CoMix Wave Films © 2016 Asmik Ace, Inc. / TOHO CO., LTD. / J Inc. / KADOKAWA CORPORATION / East Japan Storm Inc. / PARCO CO., LTD. / AMUSE INC. / Marketing & Communications,Inc. / AMUSE Otonakeikaku Inc. / KDDI CORPORATION / INC. / voque ting co.,ltd. / Lawson HMV GYAO Corporation Entertainment, Inc Oct. 27 (Thu) 13:55 Oct. 27 (Thu) 17:30 Daguerrotype Her Love Boils Bathwater Guest: Kiyoshi Kurosawa Guest: (Director) Ryota Nakano (Director) © FILM-IN-EVOLUTION - LES PRODUCTIONS BALTHAZAR - FRAKAS PRODUCTIONS – LFDLPA ©" Her Love Boils Bathwater" Film Japan Film Partners - ARTE France Cinéma Partners Oct. 27 (Thu) 20:55 Oct. 29 (Sat) 22:30 NIGHT'S TIGHTROPE HAPPY HOUR *[AN] Guest: Guest via Skype: Yukiko Mishima Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Director) (Director) © 2016 NIGHT'S TIGHTROPE © 2015 Kobe Workshop Cinema Project Production Committee LLP. Oct. 30 (Sun) 10:25 Oct. 30 (Sun) 13:40 Somebody's Xylophone HARMONIUM Guest: Guests: Yoichi Higashi Koji Fukada (Director) (Director) © 2016 FUCHI NI TATSU FILM PARTNERS & COMME DES CINEMAS © 2016,Somebody's Xylophone Oct. 30 (Sun) 17:05 Oct. 30 (Sun) 20:25 SHIN GODZILLA RAGE Guests: Guest: Akihiro Yamauchi Lee Sang-il (Director) (Producer) Isshin Inudo © 2016 "RAGE" Film Partners (Cameo Appearance/Director of The Floating Catsle) © 2016 TOHO CO.,LTD. Oct. 31 (Mon) 20:50 29th Tokyo International Film Festival The Projects Date: October 25 (Tue) – November 3 (Thu), 2016 Guest: Venues: Roppongi Hills, EX Theater Roppongi and Junji Sakamoto other venues in Tokyo (Director) Market: TIFFCOM 2016 (Japan Content Showcase 2016) October 25 (Tue) – 27 (Thu) © 2016 "The Projects" Film Partners For further information or inquiries, please contact: TIFF Promotion Group Tel: +81-3-6226-3012; Fax: +81-3-6226-3023; email: [email protected] Publicity materials are available at www.image.net/ Official Website: www.tiff-jp.net/en/ .