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Opening this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival is Takahisa Zeze’s war drama Fragments of the Last Will, a tragic but hopeful story from a little-known chapter of Russo-Japanese history.

Based on the true story of Hatao Yamamoto (Kazunari Ninomiya), one of more than half a million Japanese soldiers taken to the Soviet Union after World War Two, the film tells of his battle to keep hope alive and keep his promise to his wife (Keiko Kitagawa) waiting for his return.

Taken to labor camps after surrendering to the Soviet Army in China, the soldiers, and some civilians, were put to work for years in Siberia and across Stalin’s empire in contravention of multiple international treaties and conventions. Some were not allowed to return home for more than a decade. Estimates of the number who died range from the tens to...

I often put on Film 4 knowing that there will be a decent film showing, whether it be a romantic comedy or a thriller, a modern flick or a timeless classic. Sometimes though, the film playing doesn’t hold my attention, and I eventually fall asleep. Even great films which I know I should watch, like Ice Cold In Alex, or Beverly Hills Cop. Or Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day is great isn’t it? Okay, I’ve never fallen asleep during Groundhog Day. But recently I put on Film 4 and found that the movie which was playing was truly great. And there was no way I was going to fall asleep whilst it was on. Black Rain.

Black Rain is a 1989 American action-thriller, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Michael Douglas as a New York City cop. The film revolves around Michael Douglas’ character, Detective Nick Conklin, as he tries to...

TOKYO -- Inspired by the "spaghetti westerns" of the 1960s, Japanese director Takashi Miike is making the first "sushi western."

The director has talked close friend of Quentin Tarantino into appearing in the movie, titled Sukiyaki Western Django, after Miike made a guest appearance in the Tarantino-produced horror movie Hostel.

"To make a western like this has long been a dream for Miike," said producer Masao Osaki. "His father was a huge fan of spaghetti westerns and he always wanted to make his own, so now it is his turn. And we think it will appeal to all filmgoers," he said. "The older generations will want to see it because of the spaghetti western connection and younger people will be attracted by the great cast."

The  Hideaki Itoh starrer is the tale of clashes between two rival gangs and is scheduled to open in late 2007. The 800 million yen ($3.8 million) movie will be distributed by Sony Pictures.

Filming began this weekend at the Syonai Movie Studio in Yamagata Prefecture, northern Japan, and the cast includes Kaori Momoi, who also appeared in Memoirs of a Geisha, Koji Sato and Yoshino Kimura.