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Junichi Okada, who enters this dangerous game with one goal: to save his ailing wife and child.”

Who is in the cast for Last Samurai Standing?

For a long time, Junichi Okada was the only confirmed cast member. Some Netflix subscribers would be familiar with Junichi Okada if they streamed the Japanese crime-thriller Hard Days. Others may recognize him for his voice work on animated titles Tales from Earthsea and From Up on Poppy Hill. Outside of Netflix, the actor has starred in several historical dramas.

Junichi Okada shared his excitement with Netflix about the project;

“When Netflix executive producer Mr. Takahashi reached out to me, I was still acting in historical dramas. Back then, I was already thinking of ways to make this genre a hit, not just in Japan, but all over the world. I saw their potential for action, drama, social commentary, and entertainment, but I knew they could be taken further.

This is the first feature film by Yusuke Taki, who has worked on big TV dramas like “My Dear Exes” (2021) or “Land of Tanabata” (2024) before. For his debut, he teamed up with veteran scriptwriter Yuji Sakamoto. He is known as the author of the cult series “Tokyo Love Story” (1991), which just recently celebrated a re-release on Netflix, and was awarded with the screenplay award at Cannes for Koreeda’s “Monster” (2023). According to the streaming service, “In Love and Deep Water” is somewhat like the cornerstone of a long-term cooperation between Sakamoto and Netflix with more exclusive titles to follow.

Suguru Ubukata, played by Ryo Yoshizawa (“Bleach” 2018), is the butler on the luxury cruise ship Msc Bellissima, where he ensures the passengers’ comfort. However, he faces challenges when Chizuru Banjaku, portrayed by Aoi Miyazaki (“Eureka” 2000) accuses his girlfriend of cheating and a murder occurs onboard. With multiple witnesses refusing to speak,...

With four TV and film projects in as many years, few filmmakers right now are more prolific than Hirokazu Kore-eda.

The veteran Japanese filmmaker behind titles like the Palme d’Or-winning Shoplifters and Still Walking continued his hot streak after landing his third directing honor from the Asian Academy Sunday night for his last feature, Monster. Last night’s win was Kore-eda’s second consecutive Best Director win at the Asian Film Awards after nabbing the gong with the Korean-language Broker in 2023.

“I’m in a really good spot right now,” Kore-eda told Deadline shortly before picking up the award on Sunday. “I’m not forcing myself at all. I’m constantly working. I have good stamina.” The filmmaker told us that he has no intentions of slowing down.

“I’m currently working on a streaming drama I shot last autumn. I’m in the editing phase for that now,...

In Love and Deep Water, directed by Yûsuke Taki, is a romantic thriller shrouded in mystery. The cast includes Ryo Yoshizawa, Aoi Miyazaki, and other efficient actors who have done justice to the plot of the film. The Japanese film introduces Ubukata, an efficient butler on a luxurious cruise, and a passenger, Chizuru Banjaku. The way they gradually develop feelings for each other on their quest to resolve a mystery is unexpected. Will they be able to detangle their love lives? Will they be able to resolve the murder that takes place on the cruise? Is it true that love brings one closer to death? A lot of mysteries are yet to be unfolded!

Spoilers Ahead

What Message Does Chizuru Convey To Ubukata?

Ubukata, a skilled butler, is seen efficiently handling all the tantrums of the passengers on the cruise. His life changes when Chizuru Banjaku, a mysterious lady, gets on board.

“In Love and Deep Water” is a movie directed by Yûsuke Taki, and starring Ryo Yoshizawa, Aoi Miyazaki, and Yoh Yoshida.

In Love and Deep Water

It could have been another murder story, reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s style, set on a ship, one of those movies where a detective eats a lot while solving a crime. But no, because “In Love and Deep Water” plays with that premise and turns it around to immerse us in a delightful tale of love, crime, and comedy.

A sophisticated comedy coming all the way from Japan, available on Netflix this Thursday.

It’s a mystery comedy where the crime is clear and all we have to solve is… the enigma of love.

Review of “In Love and Deep Water”

Since we were kids, we have grown up with fantastic stories of cruises where two people find love or maybe rediscover it. Whether...

The accusation towards the previous generation is a theme quite frequent in the cinema not just of Japan, but also of Korea, with the current generation of filmmakers actually being quite vocal about it, as “Plan 75” proved eloquently. First-time feature director Yuta Shimotsu also deals with the same concept, by implementing an approach that moves towards the horror genre.

“Best Regards to All” is screening at Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival

A nursing student studying in Tokyo visits her grandparents who live in the country. The duo are quite happy to see her, as is her actually, and their meeting proceeds as smoothly as possible. Soon, however, the “Grandaughter” realizes that something is going on in the house, particularly having to do with a red door on the top floor, which actually brings back nightmares from the past, which she cannot clearly realize what they are about. Soon, her sense of unease grows exponentially,...

Japanese writer won the screenplay award at Cannes for Hirokazu Kore-eda’s ‘Monster’.

Japan’s Yuji Sakamoto, who won the best screenplay award at Cannes for writing Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monster, has signed a deal is to develop projects at Netflix over the next five years.

Sakamoto had previously collaborated with the streaming giant as the writer and producer of In Love and Deep Water, a romantic mystery feature starring Ryo Yoshizawa and Aoi Miyazaki, which is set for release later this year.

Kaata Sakamoto, vice president of content at Netflix Japan, said: “Yuji Sakamoto continues to create a variety of masterpieces,...

Zhang Series Debut

Zhang Yimou, China’s most enduring filmmaker, is joining the worldwide shift by feature film directors into the streaming arena.

Zhang, who directed “Full River Red,” the most successful film of 2023 in China, is to be involved with his first TV series. He will executive produce “The First Shot,” his representatives confirmed to Variety.

The show is to be directed by Xing Lu and is backed by Tencent Video. It is currently in development, with a tentative air date in 2025. That’s because Zhang has a film directing project with an anticipated Chinese New Year release date, due to begin shooting this summer.

Sakamoto Deal

Award-winning Japanese screenwriter Sakamoto Yuji will partner with Netflix over the next five years to develop a range of titles to premiere only on the streaming platform. “In Love and Deep Water,” set to be released later this year, promises to be...

Fresh off his best screenplay win at Cannes, in-demand Japanese screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto has inked a 5-year collaboration agreement with Netflix.

Sakamoto was already in business with Netflix as the writer and producer of the streamer’s upcoming big-budget Japanese mystery romance film In Love and Deep Water, set to premiere later this year. That project, which co-stars Ryo Yoshizawa and Aoi Miyazaki, has already been dubbed Sakamoto’s biggest and most ambitious project to date.

“Yuji Sakamoto continues to create a variety of masterpieces, ranging from socially conscious works to lighter comedies and love stories, that capture our hearts and minds and keep us coming back for more,” said Kaata Sakamoto, Netflix’s vp of content, about the deal unveiled Thursday. “We look forward to bringing Sakamoto’s unique, original storytelling to a global stage, coupled with the very best production environment and creative partnerships to realize his vision.

Exclusive: Netflix has signed a five-year deal with Japanese screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto, winner of the Best Screenplay award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival for Hirokazu Kore-eda’s competition title Monster.

Sakamoto has already scripted his first Netflix project, previously announced romantic murder mystery film In Love And Deep Water, set to be released later this year.

Netflix is now entering into a broader collaboration with Sakamoto through which he will develop a range of titles to premiere exclusively on the streamer’s platform worldwide.

Directed by Taki Yusuke, In Love And Deep Water takes place on board a luxury cruise ship where a devoted ship butler encounters a female passenger, who claims their respective partners are on the verge of cheating on them. Ryo Yoshizawa (Gintama franchise) and Aoi Miyazaki head the cast.

Monster marked the first time that Korea-eda has directed a film...

Ingmar Bergman’s ‘Faithless’ Adapted For TV By Svt & ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ Director Tomas Alfredson

Ingmar Bergman’s Faithless is being given the TV adaptation treatment by Swedish pubcaster Svt, with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy director Tomas Alfredson attached for all six episodes. Fremantle-owned The Rain producer Miso Film is behind the 6 x 45-minute adaptation of the 2000 Cannes entry, which explores the relationship between passion and love through an erotic triangle as David falls in love with his best friend Mark’s wife, the beautiful Marianne, leading to painful consequences for the two families. The story is loosely based on pioneering Swedish director Bergman’s experiences of adultery. The Occupation’s Sara Johnsen is writing. “Now it is finally time to make a television series of Ingmar Bergman’s shocking love triangle drama,” said Alfredson, who was also behind Let the Right One In. “I have a hard...

Netflix will produce the new Japanese film “In Love and Deep Water,” a suspenseful romantic comedy written by acclaimed creator Sakamoto Yuji.

The story is set on a massive luxury cruise ship. While at sea, the loyal butler Suguru, and a mysterious woman named Chizuru cross paths as they try to uncover a murder-mystery that occurs on the ship. The leading roles will be played by Yoshizawa Ryo and Miyazaki Aoi.

Production is handled by Nikkatsu and Django film for Netflix. The film is directed by Taki Yusuke.

The star-studded Japanese cast also includes Yoshida Yoshida as the recently appointed captain Hatsumi, Kikuchi Rinko who plays unfaithful film producer Aina, Nagayama Kento as Shintaro, a young actor who wants to appear in a film shown at Cannes Film Festival, Izumisawa Yuki as former yakuza member Ryuki, Makita Aju as Shiori, the daughter of a yakuza boss, Hasegawa Hatsunori as Sohei,...

Click here to read the full article.

Netflix has lined up its next big-budget feature for Japan, a key growth market for the global streaming business. The company has greenlit a suspenseful rom-com romp titled In Love and Deep Water from veteran drama screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto (Tokyo Love Story, Kadin). Sakamoto describes the project as “a romantic comedy delivered on an unprecedented scale” for the Japanese film industry.

Yusuke Taki will direct, with Nikkatsu and Django Film handling the local production for Netflix.

In Love and Deep Water is set on the Msc Bellissima, a massive luxury cruise ship headed for the Aegean sea. While at sail, the Bellissima‘s loyal butler Suguru and a mysterious woman named Chizuru cross paths as they try to uncover a shocking murder-mystery that occurs early in the voyage.

Ryo Yoshizawa (Sakura, Kingdom) stars as Suguru and Aoi Miyazaki (Future Family, Birthday Card) plays Chizuru.

In the series of news about wars and attacks, it often seems there is no way to really grasp the impact the event, to understand the reality of the catastrophe which we just hear or read about. Because the rapid speed of news does not allow for time to recuperate or fully comprehend the human tragedies behind, the image is often one for the moment, but then quickly forgotten, even though the repercussions will probably stick with people and communities for many years to come. Many times the idea of starting over or move forward is thwarted by our memories, the lasting physical or emotional damage caused sometimes without us being aware of it.

“Eureka” is screening at Nippon Connection

In general, the second half of the 1990s and the first years of the new century can be seen as a constant stream of violent events and attacks, all of which shook people,...

Another excellent sample of Japanese filmmaking, “A Chorus of Angels” implements all the distinct characteristics of the country’s cinema, while excelling at the technical department, with magnificent sound and cinematography, and the awards from the Japanese Academy for Best Music Score, Cinematography and Lighting being utterly justified.

Based on the short story “Ni-jyu Nian Go no Shyukudai” from the “Oufuku Shokan” collection by Kanae Minato, τhe film revolves around Haru Kawashima, a retired school teacher, who currently works as a librarian, the six students (3 boys and 3 girls) she had when she was teaching in a remote village in Hokkaido 20 years before, the chorus they have assembled, an accident that brought their relationship to demise, and a number of secrets that have been lurking since that time and poisoned their relationships. When she is informed that Nobuto Suzuki, one of her students who was slightly mentally incapacitated is accused of murder,...

“Do you think one can live only for others?”

In the series of news about wars and attacks, it often seems there is no way to really grasp the impact the event, to understand the reality of the catastrophe which we just hear or read about. Because the rapid speed of news does not allow for time to recuperate or fully comprehend the human tragedies behind, the image is often one for the moment, but then quickly forgotten, even though the repercussions will probably stick with people and communities for many years to come. Many times the idea of starting over or move forward is thwarted by our memories, the lasting physical or emotional damage caused sometimes without us being aware of it.

“Eureka” is streaming on Mubi

In general, the second half of the 1990s and the first years of the new century can be seen as a constant...

Meiko and Taneda are a young couple having difficulties living in the city. Having both grown up in smaller towns, they long for a life they fantasized about as young kids. Meiko works as an office girl, a mundane job she despises but tolerates in order to keep her apartment that she lets Taneda stay at, since his job as a freelance editor does not pay enough for rent. However, after an awkward encounter at work with one of her supervisors, Meiko decides to quit her job, and having no other prospects, Meiko and Taneda live off of her savings, as Meiko searches for something that will bring her life more meaning.

Meiko projects some of her fantasies onto Taneda and encourages him to pursue a career in music with his band, which had previously been a way for him and his friends, Kenichi and Jiro, to keep in touch.

“The Great Passage” was the film that most of the Japanese film competitions selected as the best for 2013, and the official selection for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. Based on the bestseller by Shion Miura, the film focuses on the creation of a dictionary, a truly difficult profession.

In 1995, Mitsuya Majime, a salesman with a degree in languages and very few social skills, is working in the sales department of Genbu books. When Kouhei Araki, the man in charge of the vocabularies department in the company, decides to quit to take care of his sick wife, he chooses Majime as his successor. The department is tasked with creating a new vocabulary, with the titular name, with the purpose of being “live”, including all contemporary words and slang.

Although the task is humongous and the time very much needed, Majime throws himself completely into his work, under the supervision of Tomosuke Matsumoto,...

Based on the bestselling book by Yoshida Shūichi, originally serialized in newspaper format, and then published in hardback in 2014, “Rage” provides a unique take on the traditional murder mystery. Boasting a star-studded cast including Watanabe Ken, Tsumabuki Satoshi, Matsuyama Ken’ichi, Hirose Suzu and Moriyama Mirai, “Rage” is a slow burning thriller which raises more questions than it answers.

“Rage” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival

The film begins with the brutal murder of a married couple in a sleepy suburb in Tokyo. Written on the wall are the Japanese kanji for Rage/Anger. The police immediately identify a young man, Yamaguichi, as the killer and post wanted photographs of him – including, for some baffling reason, a photofit of him in drag as they assume that the culprit would have had plastic surgery – which are then splashed all over the media. It seems therefore that “Rage” is going...

“Do you think one can live only for others?”

In the series of news about wars and attacks, it often seems there is no way to really grasp the impact the event, to understand the reality of the catastrophe which we just hear or read about. Because the rapid speed of news does not allow for time to recuperate or fully comprehend the human tragedies behind, the image is often one for the moment, but then quickly forgotten, even though the repercussions will probably stick with people and communities for many years to come. Many times the idea of starting over or move forward is thwarted by our memories, the lasting physical or emotional damage caused sometimes without us being aware of it.

In general, the second half of the 1990s and the first years of the new century can be seen as a constant stream of violent events and attacks,...

Akihiko Shiota’s fourth film was one of his most acclaimed internationally, screening in Venice, and earning awards in various international film festivals, for both him and his protagonist, Aoi Miyazaki, who was then doing her first steps in the film industry, much like Yu Aoi, who also stars in this unusual coming-of-age film.

“Harmful Insect” is screening during the Kinetic Visions: The Students of Hasumi Shigehiko tribute

“The story revolves around Sachiko, a junior high student who has a plethora of problems. Her father has abandoned her, and her mother has developed suicidal tendencies, extreme mood swings and a peculiar taste in boyfriends. Furthermore, her beloved sixth grade teacher has been forced to retire due to rumors of having an affair with her. As the pressure from every sides piles up, the girl becomes detached from both school (and her best friend Natsuko) and her home environment, ending up...

Close-Up is a feature that spotlights films now playing on Mubi. Akihiko Shiota's Wet Woman in the Wind (2016), which is receiving an exclusive global online premiere on Mubi, is showing from November 24 - December 24, 2017 as a Special Discovery.Much like Hollywood, the Japanese film industry goes to the well as often as possible once it hits a lucky strike. Such was the case with the so-called Roman Porno films of the 1970s, an infamous genre of sexploitation primarily identified with Japan’s oldest major studio, Nikkatsu. Financial trouble necessitated a popular, inexpensive product, and these softcore numbers were just the ticket. This may have been the studio where Kenji Mizoguchi and Shohei Imamura made films early in their careers, but by 1971 the Roman Porno factory was in full swing, producing quick, cheap, titillating product for an audience hungry for female toplessness and a great deal of convulsive thrusting.

Lee Sang-il has always had a different, unique approach in his films, as the fact that he is Zainichi Korean allows him to combine elements from both Japanese and Korean cinema. This trait became obvious in “Villain”, but it is in “Rage” that it finds its apogee.

“Rage” was part of the program of the New York Asian Film Festival,

The intricate story is based on the homonymous novel by Shuchi Yoshida, (who also wrote the book that “Villain” was based upon), and uses a gruesome murder, that receives much publicity as it is investigated by the police, as its base, before it splits into three different settings.

The first one takes place in Chiba where Yohei Maki rescues his daughter Aiko, from a life as a sex worker. As both of them try to heal from the wounds of the past and to face public prejudice, Aiko starts having...

The Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) will showcase films starring local actresses Sakura Ando, Yu Aoi, Hikari Mitsushima and Aoi Miyazaki in its Japan Now section.

Ando came to the attention of audiences in Sion Sono's Love Exposure (2008) and starred in 100 Yen Love, Japan's foreign-language Oscar entry in 2015. Mitsushima also appeared in Love Exposure, as well as Death Note (2006).

Aoi made her debut in Shunji Iwai's All About Lily Chou-Chou (2001) and won best supporting actress at the Japan Academy Prize awards for Hula Girls (2007). Miyazaki has appeared in numerous films, including Chronicles of My...

Sakura Ando, Yu Aoi, Hikari Mitsushima and Aoi Miyazaki to be feted.

Tokyo International Film Festival is highlighting the work of four Japanese actresses – Sakura Ando, Yu Aoi, Hikari Mitsushima and Aoi Miyazaki – in this year’s Japan Now section.

The highlight, ‘Muses of Japanese Cinema’, is one of the special programmes that the festival is planning to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The four actresses have won acclaim in recent years for the high standard of their work, collaborations with renowned directors and increasing international status.

Ando won multiple awards for 2015 releases 0.5 mm and 100 Yen Love, while Aoi’s credits include Over the Fence (2016) and Japanese Girls Never Die (2016).

Mitsushima gained worldwide attention in Sion Sono’s Love Exposure (2009) and recently starred in Traces Of Sin (2017). Miyazaki’s recent credits include Sang-il Lee’s Rage (2016) and Yasuhiro Yoshida’s Birthday Card (2016).

In addition to screenings of films featuring the selected actresses, Tokyo will host...

Godzilla Resurgence (Shin Godzilla) was the big winner, with seven victories, at the 40th Japan Academy Prize awards on Friday, beating out Makoto Shinkai's anime Your Name, which took three awards.

Godzilla Resurgence won best picture, while Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi jointly took the best director award for their work together on the Toho reboot of the iconic monster franchise.

In This Corner of the World (Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni), won the best animated award in an upset win over mega-hit anime Your Name, which won technical awards and best soundtrack.

Best actress went to Aoi Miyazaki for...

The 29th ceremony took place on December, 28 at the New Otani Hotel, in Tokyo and the list of winners is:

Best Film: 64: Part 1 (Takahisa Zeze)

Best Director: Makoto Shinkai (Your Anme)

Best Actor: Koichi Sato (64: Part 1)

Best Actress: Rie Miyazawa (Her Love Boils Bathwater )

Best Supporting Actor: Satoshi Tsumabuki (Rage, Museum)

Best Supporting Actress: Aoi Miyazaki (Rage, If Cats Disappeared from the World)

Best International Film: Spotlight (Tom McCarthy)

New Face Award: Kasumi Arimura (Nanimono, Natsumi’s Firefly)

Yujiro Ishihara Award: Dangerous Cops: Final 5 Days (Toru Murakawa)

Toru Murakawa Kasumi Arimura Rie Miyazawa...

With the Toronto International Film Festival just around the corner, the debut trailer for Japanese superstar Ken Watanabe’s latest offering, Rage (Ikari), has landed with an almighty splash.

Directed by Lee Sang-il (Unforgiven, Hula Girls), Rage tells a the story of a single brutal murder whose complex and sinister threads reach deep into the lives of a number of different people across three different cities in Japan. The trailer below sets the tone of the film, with shots of cryptic messages painted in blood onto the wall effectively off-setting the colorful backdrops of Japan’s southern islands and vibrant nightclubs.

Joining Ken Watanabe (Inception, The Last Samurai, Letters from Iwo Jima) are a number of up and coming Japanese acting talents, including Aoi Miyazaki (The Great Passage, Wolf Children), Satoshi Tsumabuki (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, The Assassin) and Mirai Moriyama (The Drudgery Train).

This will be...

Wgtc Trailer Roundup #1 - Arrival, Hands Of Stone, Moana And More 1 of 28

Click to skip Welcome To Wgtc's Trailer Roundup!

Welcome to the very first edition of Wgtc's weekly Trailer Roundup, where we'll be bringing you all the hottest movie and television trailers, clips, TV spots and more!

In this edition, we cover Morgan, Mechanic: Resurrection, American Horror Story, Arrival and Macgyver, among others. Take a look through and check back next week for more.

Arrival Trailer #1

Release Date: November 11th, 2016

Cast: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker

Hidden Figures Trailer #1

Release Date: January 13th, 2017

Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe

Rules Don't Apply Trailer #1

Release Date: November 23, 2016

Cast: Alec Baldwin, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Haley Bennett, Lily Collins, Steve Coogan, Alden Ehrenreich, Taissa Farmiga, Ed Harris

Same Kind Of Different As Me Trailer #1

Release Date: February 3rd, 2017

Cast: Renée Zellweger, Jon Voight, Djimon Hounsou

Moonlight Trailer #1

Release Date: October 21st,...

Exclusive: Japanese suspense drama stars Ken Watanabe.

Japanese studio Toho is launching sales on Lee Sang-il’s [pictured] suspense drama Rage, which features a stellar cast including Ken Watanabe, at the Efm.

Based on a novel by Shuichi Yoshida, the film revolves around three couples who become suspicious of people they have recently befriended, following a brutal double murder in a Tokyo satellite city.

In addition to Watanabe (The Last Samurai), the strong ensemble cast also includes Kenichi Matsuyama (Norwegian Wood), Satoshi Tsumabuki (The Assassin), Mirai Moriyama (Love Strikes), Go Ayano (The Light Shines Only There), Suzu Hirose (Our Little Sister) and Aoi Miyazaki (Eureka).

Currently in post-production, the film is being lined up for a summer 2016 release in Japan. Lee Sang-il previously worked with Watanabe on the Japanese version of Unforgiven and his credits also include Hula Girls (2006) and Villain (2010).

Toho’s slate also includes its new reboot of the iconic Godzilla franchise, Shin [link=tt...

Japan’s Toho Company is launching sales on If Cats Disappeared From The World at Hong Kong Filmart.

Directed by Akira Nagai (Judge!), the film stars Takeru Sato (Ruroni Kenshin) and Aoi Miyazaki (The Great Passage, The Chart of Love).

Screenwriter Yoshikazu Okada (Be With You) is adapting the story from the bestselling novel by Genki Kawamura, producer of films such as Trainman, Parasyte and Confessions.

If Cats Disappeared From The World follows a postman with a cat who finds out he has a brain tumor and is told by a devil that he needs to eliminate a variety of things from the world if he wants to live longer.

Currently in production, the film is produced by Kei Haruna (Crying Out Love In The Center Of The World).

The past comes back to haunt and heal in Japanese drama “A Chorus of Angels”, directed by Sakamoto Junji (“Children of the Dark”) and based on the work by bestselling author Minato Kanae, whose “Confessions” was recently brought to the screen in stunning fashion by Nakashima Tetsuya. Adapted from the short story “Ni-jyu Nian Go no Shyukudai” from the “Oufuku Shokan” collection, the film revolves around the relationship between a former teacher and her now-grown up students, who are bound together by a dark secret. The film is particularly notable for the presence of actress Yoshinaga Sayuri, a legend in the industry and hugely popular since her teen roles back in the 1960s for the Nikkatsu studio, backed here by an impressive cast of younger talent, including Miyazaki Aoi (“In His Chart”), Mitsushima Hikari (“Love Exposure”), Koike Eiko (“Penance”), Mirai Moriyama (“The Drudgery Train”) and Matsuda Ryuhei (“Phone Call to the Bar...

The Selfish Giant | Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa | Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs | Ender's Game | Wolf Children | One Chance | Closed Circuit | Le Skylab | Muscle Shoals

The Selfish Giant (15)

(Clio Barnard, 2013, UK) Conner Chapman, Shaun Thomas, Sean Gilder. 91 mins

In the tradition of Kes, or Fish Tank, this offers a child's-eye view of poverty that's too strong for real-life kids of the same age. Despite the fairytale origins, miracles are in short supply in this Bradford suburb, where two drop-out mates scavenge for opportunities. But the balance between harsh realism and mythical lyricism is beautifully struck, and the two leads really are miraculous.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (15)

(Jeff Tremaine, 2013, Us) Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll. 92 mins

Old-suited Knoxville and his "grandson" take to the road for Borat-style pranks.

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 (U)

(Cody Cameron, Kris Pearn, 2013, Us) Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Will Forte. 95 mins

Food/fauna surrealism part...

Tokyo – The Great Passage (Fune o Amu), starring Ryuhei Matsuda and Miyazaki Aoi, a love story about a dictionary compiler, will be Japan’s representative in the best foreign language film category at the 86th Academy Awards. The selection of the movie was announced on Thursday. Matsuda (Taboo) plays a struggling salesman who lands the job of editing a 240,000-word dictionary, the Daitokai -- The Great Passage of the English title. After falling for his landlady's daughter (Aoi), he is asked by the chief editor to write a definition of the word "love." Ishii, 30, is best known

read more...

Although Hayao Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli colleagues are still the most famous purveyors of Japanese animation, a number of other directors have also been winning fans and acclaim of late. Hosoda Mamoru is chief amongst these, whose “The Girl Who Leapt through Time” and “Summer Wars” have been two of the country’s very best anime for some time, proving extremely popular at home and abroad. “Wolf Children” is Hosoda’s latest offering, based on an original story which he co-wrote with regular scripter Okudera Satoko, a romantic fantasy with themes of love, parenting and sacrifice. Having emerged as one of the biggest earners in Japan of 2012, the film also played to success at a variety of prestigious international festivals. The film tells the story of Hana (Miyazaki Aoi, “Nana”), a college student who falls deeply in love with a polite young man (Osawa Takao, “Goemon”) who turns out...

The official website for Yojiro Takita’s upcoming movie Insight Into the Universe has been updated with a new trailer.

Based on a historical novel by Tow Ubukata, the movie is set in the early Edo period and stars Junichi Okada an astronomer and Go player named Yasui Santetsu (later changed to Shibukawa Shunkai) who was instrumental in the creation of the Jokyo calendar. Yasui’s knowledge of astronomy led to the first major revision of the Japanese calendar in over 800 years, finally fixing inaccuracies which had been slowly increasing during that time.

The new trailer summarizes some of the troubles Okada’s character goes through while receiving constant support from his wife, played by Aoi Miyazaki. At the end of it, she says something to the effect of “Somehow… please don’t die before me.”

“Insight Into the Universe” will be released by Shochiku in Japan on September 15, 2012.

Watch...

Today it was announced that Osamu Mukai and Aoi Miyazaki will be co-starring for the first time as husband and wife in a new film by Ryuichi Hiroki called Kiiroi Zou (literally Yellow Elephant).

The movie is based on a popular 2006 novel by Kanako Nishi. In fact, when the book was first introduced in the literary magazine “Da Vinci”, Miyazaki was quoted as saying, “Someday, I want to play ‘Tsuma’ from this novel.” Mukai also reportedly shared her fondness of the original work.

The two protagonists of the story are a married couple who refer to one another simply as “Muko-san” and “Tsuma” (also the word for “wife”). Specifically, Miyazaki plays Aiko Tsumari, the loving, somewhat unworldly wife of an unsuccessful novelist named Ayumi Muko (Mukai). The couple share a peaceful, close relationship together, but they begin to grow apart little by little after a certain letter arrives addressed to Muko.

Way back in March, a 2-minute trailer for Abbas Kiarostami’s Like Someone In Love surfaced on YouTube, but was quickly taken down, re-upped, etc. in the typical game of Whac-a-Mole that happens with leaked trailers.

Now the Cannes Film Festival website has been updated with an official version of the trailer. The only difference between this trailer and the old watermarked one seems to a few additional seconds of Cannes logo at the beginning.

As for the film itself, it’s said to be a spiritual successor to Kiarostami’s previous work, “Certified Copy” (2010), and is set entirely in Japan.

Last February, it was widely-reported that Aoi Miyazaki was cast in the lead role. However, no contract had been signed at the time and the role ended up going to Rin Takanashi instead. Takanashi plays a young college student named Akiko who becomes involved in an unusual relationship with...

A week from today, the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival will be getting underway on the south coast of France, opening with Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom," and as ever, it's possibly the biggest date in the cinephile calendar, with a host of hotly anticipated films set to premiere over the ten days that follow. A jury headed up by Nanni Moretti, and also including Andrea Arnold, Ewan McGregor, Alexander Payne, Diane Kruger and Jean-Paul Gaultier will have to decide which of over twenty films to award the Palme d'Or to. But while the In Competition category will be typically fierce in competition, there's plenty of gems to find in the Directors' Fortnight, Un Certain Regard and Critics' Week sidebars too.

Once again, The Playlist are packing our suntan lotion and shorts to hit the Croisette, and we'll be bringing our extensive coverage from next week. But to get you warmed up,...

Today it was revealed that Aoi Miyazaki will be starring in a movie called Petal Dance, which will be released in spring 2013.

The story will reportedly depict four women who deal with various problems and re-examine their lives during a short journey. Shiori Kutsuna, Sakura Ando, and Kazue Fukiishi will co-star.

Hiroshi Ishikawa is the film’s director. He last worked with Miyazaki in 2005’s su-ki-da, which ended up being a big hit for him. Miyazaki praised Ishikawa’s unique production process, citing his ability to challenge actors to “live” as their characters.

Miyazaki and Ando will play friends Jinko and Motoko. When they hear a rumor that their friend Miki (Fukiishi) recently jumped into the ocean, they decide to visit her in northern Japan. Kutsuna will play another girl they meet along the way through a random coincidence.

Filming began on March 3rd and has already wrapped. Production is...

Ntv has posted a second trailer for Mamoru Hosoda’s Wolf Children (Okami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki) on their YouTube channel.

The story revolves around a woman named Hana who falls in love with a “wolf man”. They get married and Hana eventually gives birth to two babies each named for the weather when they were born—a girl named Yuki (snow) and a boy named Ame (rain). The children inherit both human and wolf characteristics from their parents.

The family lives a happy, quiet life in a secluded area of the city. However, when her husband dies, Hana decides it would be best for Yuki and Ame if they move away from the city to the countryside.

Along with the new trailer comes the news that Hana is voiced by Aoi Miyazaki and the wolf man is voiced by Takao Osawa.

“Wolf Children” will be released by Toho...

Someone has uploaded a teaser trailer for Abbas Kiarostami’s latest film, Like Someone In Love (formerly known as “The End”), to YouTube.

The film is said to be a spiritual successor to Kiarostami’s previous work, “Certified Copy” (2010), and is set entirely in Japan.

Last February, it was widely-reported that Aoi Miyazaki was cast in the lead role. However, no contract had been signed at the time and the role ended up going to Rin Takanashi instead. Takanashi plays a young college student named Akiko who becomes involved in an unusual relationship with a brilliant man in his 60s (Tadashi Okuno). Ryo Kase and Denden also appear.

Please bear in mind that the watermark on this trailer is a pretty blatant indication that it was not intended for wide public consumption, so watch it while you can. For obvious legal reasons, I probably won’t be able to replace...

After taking the festival scene by storm last year with his Euro-set "Certified Copy," Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami has now moved East with his latest effort, Japanese-language romantic drama "Like Someone In Love," formerly known as "The End."

We were actually unaware the film had already completed production (which evidently finished lensing last November) so it was with much surprise that we woke up to the first endearing teaser trailer for the film. Utilizing Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of title track, the films looks to be a worthy "continuation of 'Certified Copy'" centering on a young Japanese woman who finances her studies through prostitution and her relationship with a brilliant, elderly academic who is also one of her clients. 

Despite early reports of Aoi Miyazaki starring, it looks like she's been replaced by Rin Takanashi who will now star along side Tadashi Akuno and Ryo Kase ("Letters From Iwo Jima,...

The official website for Yojiro Takita’s Insight Into the Universe has been updated with a second teaser trailer. Unlike the first teaser, which featured only Junichi Okada, the new teaser also includes brief shots of other cast members and Okada’s co-star, Aoi Miyazaki.

Based on a historical novel by Tow Ubukata, the movie is set in the early Edo period and revolves around an astronomer and Go player named Shibukawa (Okada) who was instrumental in the creation of the Jokyo calendar. Shibukawa’s knowledge of astronomy led to the first major revision of the Japanese calendar in over 800 years, finally fixing inaccuracies which had been slowly increasing during that time. Other cast members include Miyazaki as Shibukawa’s wife, Kiichi Nakai, and Koshiro Matsumoto.

“Insight Into the Universe” will be released by Shochiku in Japan on September 15, 2012.

ScreenDaily reports that cinema titan Abbas Kiarostami is finally rolling cameras on The End, his follow-up to this year’s acclaimed Certified Copy. First reported on in February, the film follows “the unusual relationship between a student, who works as prostitute on the side to pay for her studies, and a brilliant, elderly academic who is one her clients.”

Aoi Miyazaki was previously set to star as the student, Akiko; she’s since been replaced by Rin Takanashi. Tadashi Okuno has the role of the professor, labeled as “a man around 60 years old with verve, wit and intelligence, who can hold his own in most situations but is also capable of losing himself in a love affair with a much younger woman.”

French company MK2 and Japanese group Eurospace are producing the film, which has been called a “continuation” of Copy; how that actually applies probably won’t be clear...

The official website for Yoshihiro Fukagawa’s In His Chart has been updated with a 34-second teaser trailer.

Based on the debut novel of doctor Sosuke Natsukawa, the film stars Sho Sakurai (Arashi) as a physician named Ichito Kurihara who works at a local clinic in Nagano Prefecture while planning his eventual transfer to a better position at a major hospital. However, he becomes reluctant to move on due to a shortage of doctors and he comes to enjoy the personal connection he shares with each of his patients.

Aoi Miyazaki plays Ichito’s wife, Haruna, a mountain photographer who talks him through his problems every day.

Toho will be releasing “In His Chart” in Japan on August 27, 2011.

Thanks to logboy for the heads up.

Watch »...

After both of them struck gold with their latest cinematic ventures, Assayas on last year’s acclaimed historical epic Carlos and Kiarostami with the upcoming Certified Copy, which has been making waves at various film festivals over the past year. The fact that they’ll be doing something new right away should still make you excited, and we have French Company MK2 Productions to thank, as they’ll be handling French distribution and international sales of both.

Variety tells us that Assayas‘ next film is Apres mai, which in English translates to Something in the Air. Following an eighteen-year-old in 1970′s France, who is dealing with the “rapid social change and political activism begun in the late ’60s.” It’s said to “turn on the difficulties of freedom,” and while said to predominately be in French, it’ll also have dialogue in English and Italian. Additionally, Nathaniel Karmitz, the lead...

• Abbas Kiarostami, whose Certified Copy (starring Cannes Best Actress winner Juliette Binoche and William Shimell, above left) opens March 11, is developing The End, a Japanese-language relationship drama through MK2 Productions. MK2's Nathanael Karmitz says the film, to star Aoi Miyazaki, is a "continuation of Certified Copy" that will look at modern love in Japan. The film will shoot on location this April. MK2 is also teaming with writer-director Olivier Assayas Carlos, above right, starring Edgar Ramirez) for Apres mai (Something in the Air), a 70s coming of age story. While the film will be shot predominantly in French, Karmitz tells Variety: "This is not a French story..It's about the world in the '70s." It shoots this May in Italy, France and England. Trailers ...

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On Thursday, Variety reported that France’s MK2 and Japan’s Eurospace will be co-producing a new film by internationally-acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami called The End. The film, which will apparently be shot in Japanese, is scheduled to begin shooting in Japan sometime this April with 25-year-old actress Aoi Miyazaki in the lead role.

According to MK2 president Nathanael Karmitz, the new film features a “contemporary relationship in today’s Japan”.

Following up on the initial report, the Japanese film site Eiga.com checked with Miyazaki’s agency, Hirata Office, which confirmed the offer while adding that no official contract had yet been signed.

Story via Tokyograph...

As is usually the case around this time of year, European Film Market sales materials have gotten a little ahead of the press releases for several far-off titles. Such is the case for Masato Harada’s upcoming film adaptation of Yasushi Inoue’s autobiographical novel Waga Haha no Ki. Yesterday it was officially announced in Japan that the film—which is currently being shopped around at Efm under the English title Chronicles of My Mother—will star Koshi Yakusho, Aoi Miyazaki, and Kirin Kiki.

The story is set in the 60s and is is based on Inoue’s own experiences with his mother as she aged and lost her memories. Yakusho plays an author named Kosaku Igami who has lived apart from his mother, Yae (Kiki), from a young age. When his father dies, Kosaku must handle his mother’s living arrangements. As Yae grows more senile, she struggles to...