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It is amusing to ponder just how stealthily life can imitate art and vice versa, happening right underneath our noses we are blind to its reflection whilst all those around us have grabbed a front row seat just to watch how it unfolds with popcorn in one hand and a beverage in the other. A stark reminder of how blurred the line between fiction and real life can be, one serving as a harbinger for the other, these encounters usually fall into two categories: a devastating disaster of which no one can avert their eyes from, or a heart-warming glimpse into the fairy-tale world we all wish our lives could be. Thankfully for Shuichi Okita’s latest offering, “One Summer Story”, its loveable cast of misfits practically living out their common ground – a tender anime about a magical plasterer – steers its story into the latter and, for the most part,...

It is amusing to ponder just how stealthily life can imitate art and vice versa, happening right underneath our noses we are blind to its reflection whilst all those around us have grabbed a front row seat just to watch how it unfolds with popcorn in one hand and a beverage in the other. A stark reminder of how blurred the line between fiction and real life can be, one serving as a harbinger for the other, these encounters usually fall into two categories: a devastating disaster of which no one can avert their eyes from, or a heart-warming glimpse into the fairy-tale world we all wish our lives could be. Thankfully for Shuichi Okita’s latest offering, “One Summer Story”, its loveable cast of misfits practically living out their common ground – a tender anime about a magical plasterer – steers its story into the latter and, for the most part,...

Produced by Indonesia’s Pt Rapi Films, the film is a reboot of the horror classic of the same name, directed by Lilik Sudjio.

Japan’s Nikkatsu has picked up international rights to the latest film from Kimo Stamboel, The Queen Of Black Magic, scripted by fellow Indonesian genre maestro Joko Anwar.

Produced by Indonesia’s Pt Rapi Films, the film is a reboot of the horror classic of the same name, directed by Lilik Sudjio, about a man who takes his family to the orphanage where he grew up, but soon encounters terrifying supernatural forces.

Starring Ario Bayu, Hannah Al Rashid and Adhisty Zara,...

It was a good day for both Hirokazu Koreeda’s Palme d’Or winner “Shoplifters” as well as Kazuya Shiraishi’s crime thriller “The Blood of Wolves” who both managed to clean up at the 42nd Japan Academy Awards.

For a second year running, a Koreeda film managed to win most awards on the night, with “Shoplifters” picking up a total of eight awards.

The other big winner of the night was “The Blood of Wolves”, which, despite fierce competition in most of the categories in won in from Shoplifters” and others, managed to pick up an impressive four awards, including two for its male leading duo. The other two films to get a look-in were Mamoru Hosoda’s “Mirai” and Shinichiru Ueda’s “One Cut of the Dead“.

Check out all the winners below:s

Best Film: Shoplifters (Hirokazu Koreeda)

Best Animated Film: Mirai (Mamoru Hosoda)

Best Director: Hirokazu Koreeda...

"She's your sister. You have to protect her." GKids has unveiled a new official trailer for the animated film Mirai, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in Directors' Fortnight earlier this year. The latest film by master Japanese animation filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda, the film is a delightful adventure following a young Japanese boy living with his parents. His life is disrupted by the arrival of a newborn baby girl, named Mirai, which his parents bring home one day. He soon after discovers a magical garden in his home which enables him to travel through time and meet his relatives from different eras. He's guided by his younger sister from the future. The voice cast includes Haru Kuroki, Moka Kamishiraishi, Gen Hoshino, Kôji Yakusho, Kumiko Asô, and Yoshiko Miyazaki. It's an adorable, whimsical, fun little animated film. Give it a whirl. Here's the official Us trailer ...

"Thus begins the little big brother's fantasy-filled adventure." An official trailer has arrived for animated film Mirai from Japan, the latest work from filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda. Mirai is a sort of fairy tale about a young boy who encounters a magical garden which enables him to travel through time and meet his relatives from different eras. He is guided by his younger sister, Mirai, from the future. The film's voice cast includes Haru Kuroki, Moka Kamishiraishi, Gen Hoshino, Kôji Yakusho, Kumiko Asô, and Yoshiko Miyazaki. This is premiering at the Cannes Film Festival next month, and I'm looking forward to seeing it there. The footage in this trailer looks quite lovely, could be something special. Enjoy the first look. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Mamoru Hosoda's Mirai, direct from YouTube: Kun, a spoiled 4-year-old boy, comes across a magical garden where he ...