TOPICS

2022/09/26

ACA Cinema Project: Emerging Japanese Films

ACA Cinema Project: Emerging Japanese Films
Presents
MISSING, A film by Shinzo Katayama
BL METAMORPHOSIS A film by Shunsuke Kariyama
RIVERSIDE MUKOLITTA A film by Naoko Ogigami
SMALL, SLOW BUT STEADY A film by Shô Miyake
and
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON A film by Hirokazu Kore-eda

Harmony Gold Preview House Hollywood, California
September 27 – October 1, 2022

As part of the Japan Film Overseas Expansion Enhancement Project 2022, which VIPO is entrusted with, the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (ACA) heralds the fourth ACA Cinema Project series – Emerging Japanese Films in Hollywood. (Operated by VIPO)

The program is set to screen four newly released, dramatic, and awards-worthy Japanese feature films. In addition, the celebration promises a retrospective night that honors veteran auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda. Four of the directors will take the stage virtually for post-exhibition Q&A sessions. Corresponding content panels, featuring industry leaders, also will accompany the aforementioned new film screenings.

MISSING

BL METAMORPHOSIS

LIKE FATHER,
LIKE SON

RIVERSIDE
MUKOLITTA

SMALL, SLOW
BUT STEADY

Central to ACA Cinema Project is the tribute evening with Japanese virtuoso director Hirokazu Kore-eda on Thursday September 29th at 5 PM. A live-streamed video conversation between Kore-eda and Alan Ng, Editor-in-Chief of Film Threat and Critics Choice Association member, will occur after a showing of his acclaimed 2013 movie LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON.

Shinzo Katayama’s MISSING – which recently took Fantasia 2022 by storm – ushers in the 5-night big screen series on Tuesday, September 27th. Additional guest speakers, alongside director Katayama and distributor Dark Star Pictures, will wrap the first evening.

Unfurling on Wednesday, September 28th is Shunsuke Kariyama’s BL METAMORPHOSIS (based on the smash-hit, coming-of-age manga franchise). This movie indulges manga and anime fans alike with its live-action interpretation of a sweet, quirky female friendship and fandom story. Director Kariyama will appear with a live panel to debate “Full Frontal Fandom: Fascinating Depictions of Manga Fans in BL METAMORPHOSIS.” In-person Hollywood pundits include moderator and producer/journalist Marlene Sharp (YOUNG CAPTAIN NEMO), screenwriter Jeffrey Reddick (SAMURAI RABBIT: USAGI CHRONICLES), producer Vincent Imaoka (TIGER AND BUNNY), producer Geneva Wasserman (SPIDERHEAD), producer Kevin Nicklaus (UNTOLD HORROR), and screenwriter/podcaster/author Geoffrey Calhoun (THE SUCCESSFUL SCREENWRITER).

Friday, September 30th is earmarked for the emotional journey of RIVERSIDE MUKOLITTA, a quietly touching endeavor of renowned filmmaker *Naoko Ogigami. Panel discussion “Riverside Mukolitta: How Asian drama can be relatable to American audiences” will complete the evening. Alan Ng will host the conversation, which boasts Endeavor Content’s Kevin Iwashina (JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI), Metan Global’s Larry Namer, plus veteran producers Jennie Lew Tugend (LETHAL WEAPON, FREE WILLY), Jinko Gotoh (KLAUS, FINDING NEMO), and Chuck Williams (SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, BROTHER BEAR).
*Due to scheduling conflicts, director Ogigami is unable to appear.

On Saturday, October 1st, ACA Cinema Project closes with Shô Miyake’s sensitive SMALL, SLOW BUT STEADY (a crowd-pleaser at this year’s Berlin Film Festival) paired with panel discussion “Beyond Boundaries: Taking on Challenging Acting Roles.” Tackling this subject are motion picture director Miyake, Leslie LaPage (Director, LA Femme International Film Festival), and accomplished casting director/talent manager Valerie McCaffrey.

Related activations are set for September 27 – October 1, 2022 at Harmony Gold Preview House, 7655 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood and are free of charge for accredited entertainment industry professionals. The events will begin at 5 PM from Tuesday – Friday, and at 4 PM on Saturday. A catered reception will accompany every screening. Complimentary Japanese food and authentic sake will be offered at each.

For more info: aca-cinema-japan.com

MISSING
Director: Shinzo Katayama
2021, 124 min. In Japanese with English subtitles
Starring Aoi Ito, Jiro Sato, Hiroya Shimizu
US Distribution: Dark Star Pictures https://darkstarpics.com/

Depressed and in debt following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) tells his young daughter he has found a way out. Pointing to the reward note, he vows to find infamous serial killer “No Name” (Hiroya Shimizu), claiming he saw the man in the flesh a few days earlier. Kaeda (Aoi Ito) cannot believe her aloof, goofy father. But when he goes missing without a trace, she starts fearing the worst—and begins looking for him..

“And each time we think we have it all figured out, a fresh wrinkle changes our perspective just enough to wipe the board clean and start again. It’s a credit to the script and direction that Missing never feels manipulative in these goals.” – Jared Mobarak, THE FILM STAGE

“Missing is never what you expect it to be, and that originality makes it one of the standout films from Fantasia 2022.” – Scott Phillips, THE SCREEN SCENE

Shinzo Katayama’s Profile: Born in 1981 in Osaka prefecture, Japan. Katayama Shinzo worked as an assistant director for Nobuhiro Yamashita before becoming an assistant director for Bong Joon-Ho on two of his projects: TOKYO! (2008) and MOTHER (2009). His debut feature, SIBLINGS OF THE CAPE (2019), won the Best Picture and Audience Award – Feature Length at Skip City International D-Cinema Festival and was invited to numerous international film festivals including Göteborg Film Festival, Geneva International Film Festival and Taipei Film Festival.

BL METAMORPHOSIS
Director: Shunsuke Kariyama
2022, 118 min. In Japanese with English subtitles
Starring Mana Ashida, Nobuko Miyamoto
International Sales: NIPPON TELEVISION NETWORK CORPORATION (Japan) https://www.ntv.co.jp/english/

Urara Sayama is a normie and boyfriend-less 17-year-old high school student. Her only enjoyment is reading boy’s love (BL) manga in secret. She also works part-time as a bookstore cashier. At work, Urara meets 75-year-old widow Yuki Ichinoi. For no other reason than its attractive cover, impulsive Yuki buys a BL manga during one of Urara’s afternoon shifts. Following the fateful purchase, Yuki is a full-fledged BL manga fan. Due to their common interest, Urara and Yuki develop a friendship and eventually take on a literary challenge.

Shunsuke Kariyama’s Profile: In addition to being a helmer of feature films, such as BLUE, PAINFUL, FRAGILE (2020) and HUMANOID MONSTER, BEM: THE MOVIE (2012), Kariyama is a prolific TV director. His series and mini-series credits include LOVE’S IN SIGHT! (2021), WHERE HAVE MY SKIRTS GONE? (2019), and BORN TO BE A FLOWER (2018).

RIVERSIDE MUKOLITTA
Director: Naoko Ogigami
2021, 120 min. In Japanese with English subtitles
Starring Kenichi Matsuyama, Tsuyoshi Muro, Hikari Mitsushima
International Sales: KADOKAWA (Japan) https://group.kadokawa.co.jp/global/

Brooding Takeshi Yamada arrives in a small village in the Hokuriku region. There, he begins to work at a small factory which makes shiokara (salted fish paste). Through the efforts of his boss, Takeshi moves into a nearby, dilapidated apartment. One afternoon, Takeshi’s vociferously eccentric neighbor Kozo Shimada barges into Takesh’s unit and demands a bath in Takeshi’s personal lavatory. With the metaphorical ice broken, Takeshi eventually emerges from his shell and warms to a friendship with Kozo and the other residents. Later, Kozo learns the secret behind Takeshi’s relocation to this particular village. Takeshi’s new friends organize an out-of-the-box resolution to Takeshi’s ongoing angst.

“She depicts everyday life like no others, highlighting little sweet details and the comic absurdity of many moments.” – Adriana Rosati, ASIAN MOVIE PULSE

Naoko Ogigami’s Profile: After her 1994 graduation from Chiba University’s Image Science program, Naoko Ogigami went to the United States for film studies at the University of Southern California. During this period, she worked as an assistant for TV commercials, promotional videos, and films, and also created short films of her own. She returned to Japan in January 2000. YOSHINO’S BARBER SHOP is the title of her feature length film debut. In 2017, she won the Teddy Award at the Berlin Film Festival for CLOSE-KNIT.

SMALL, SLOW BUT STEADY
Director: Shô Miyake
2022, 99 min. In Japanese with English subtitles
Starring Yukino Kishii, Tomokazu Miura, Nobuko Sendo
International Sales: Charades https://www.charades.eu/

Keiko, a young pro boxer, was born with a hearing impairment. Boxing is a real challenge for her, but the club she belongs to is like a second home. After winning two difficult fights, a creeping fear begins to grow inside her. The club chairman, the only person who had accepted her as a boxer, is plagued by health issues and is losing his eyesight. Having learned that the gym is about to close for good, a confused Keiko goes on to her third bout. But perhaps the biggest challenge she faces is trying to understand the true nature and strength of her will to fight.

“. . . as if Ozu, rather than Clint Eastwood, had made Million Dollar Baby” – Jonathan Romney, Screen Daily
“The biggest win in the elegantly crafted film – best exemplified in a stirring final shot that’ll make you believe in the promise of the next day – is simply taking the next step toward the next fight.” – RogerEbert.com

Shô Miyake’s Profile: Born in 1984 in Hokkaido, Japan. Directed his first theatrical feature film PLAYBACK in 2012, which was screened in the Competition at Locarno International Film Festival. His feature film in 2018, AND YOUR BIRD CAN SING, was officially selected to the Forum section at Berlin International Film Festival. Other directorial works include a music documentary THE COCKPIT (2014) which was selected for the New Directors section of Cinema du Réel, a costume TV drama THE COURIER (2017) and a streaming TV drama series JU-ON ORIGINS (2020).

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
2013, 121 min., In Japanese with English subtitles
Starring Masaharu Fukuyama, Machiko Ono, Lily Franky, Yoko Maki
US Distribution: IFC Films https://www.ifcfilms.com/

Ryota is a successful workaholic businessman. When he learns that his biological son was switched at birth with another boy, Ryota faces the difficult decision to choose his true son or the boy whom he and his wife raised as their own.

“This is a profound and remarkable work, and like Still Walking, it reasserts Koreeda’s place among the ranks of the world’s greatest living directors.” – Nathan Southern, TV GUIDE

“Beautiful and heartbreaking, from the masterful Hirokazu Koreeda..” – MaryAnn Johanson, FLICK FILOSOPHER

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Profile: Born in Tokyo Japan in 1962, is a Japanese film director, producer, screenwriter, and editor. Kore-eda began his career in television and has since directed more than a dozen feature films, including NOBODY KNOWS (2004), STILL WALKING (2008), and AFTER THE STORM (2016). He won the Jury Prize at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival for LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON and won the Palme d’Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival for SHOPLIFTERS.

About the ACA Cinema Project

The ACA Cinema Project is a new initiative organized as part of the “Japan Film Overseas
Expansion Enhancement Project,” an ongoing project founded by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (ACA) to create opportunities for the increased exposure, development and appreciation of Japanese cinema overseas through screenings, symposiums and other ongoing events. This year’s ACA Cinema Project introduces a wide range of Japanese films in the United States, a major center of international film culture, together with the local partners, such as the IFC Center, the Japan Society, and Harmony Gold.

Past events:
1st edition: 21st CENTURY JAPAN: Films from 2001-2020
2nd edition: Flash Forward: Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors
3rd edition: New Films from Japan