2008.10.25[Updates]
A Decade of Love (Omnibus Film): Exploration of a New Approach in HK Films Teach-in
A Decade of Love is an omnibus of film of nine selections in which 10 directors portray the theme about the lives of people inthe span of 10 years since the Hong Kong's reversion to China in 1977.
When he was asked with the reason why he shot the omnibus film, William Tam (prod.) explained, "Hong Kong has been called Hollywood of the East for a long time. The numbers of the movie watchers have decreased due to the growth of the internet and the DVD users. Because the running time of each film is shorter, maybe I thought I could bring the audiences back to the theatres. This film is the first omnibus made in Hong Kong and I was hoping to enliven our film industry by choosing this method,"thus, Tam unveiled the reason for the idea which came from the present state of the Hong Kong Film Industry.
The young actor, Steven Cheung who made a performance in "Isabella" which was screened at the 19th edition of TIFF, also performs in the final film of A Decade of Love. Steven Cheung performed a role of youngster having drug problems. The method of the cinematography was rolling the camera for a long duration of 13 minutes without stopping th camera, almost like a stage play. He made an elaborate rehearsal and role preparations.
Angel Ho made a cute appearance introducing herself in Japanese, "Konnichiwa watashiwa Angel Ho desu."A Decade of Love" was her debut film but she challenged a difficult role as an austistic." I'm very cheerful to begin with. That was why the character making was difficult for me. I had a conversation with the austistic people and used the experience for my acting. The director also taught me how he would shoot the film with his camera.
The director, Lam O. Wah Aubrey is also a famous script writer but because of her beauty, she is often mistaken as an actress. The reason why she chose the city named Peak in Hong Kong as the shooting location was because the area has made a big economic changes recently.
The omnibus film records the various aspirations of the people in Hong Kong. Would the film bring new perspective to the Hong Kong Film Industry. Although still young, Steven Cheung, has already performed in more than 20 films and Angel Ho has just finished her latest film and is considered as the new star of the Hong Kong Film Industry.
2008.10.24[Updates]
Scenes from Teach-in for My Magic (Winds of Asia - Middle East)
The first Singapore film to make an entry to the Cannes International Film Festival as a Competition title. The film has been screened in India and have been well recieved. The film was also screened at TIFF and holds the possibility to be nominated for Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. It's quite memorable to watch Bosco and James become flustered with success but also enjoying every moment of it.
Watch the video for details.
For film details
2008.10.24[Updates]
Scenes from Teach-in for the Super Typhoon (Competition)
The director, Feng Xiaoning (dir.) sends out the message to respect the nature and hope that people would unite and help each other when the nature turns into a threat to people.
The relationship between Feng Xiaoning (dir.) and Liu Xiaowei is revealed in the later part of the Teach-in video. Please see video for details!
For details of film
2008.10.24[Updates]
Scenes from Teach-in for the Ashes from the Sky (natural TIFF)
Please enjoy the video of Ashes from the Sky which begins with their Japanese greetings.
For film details
2008.10.24[Updates]
The scenes from press conference for the International Competition Juries.
The total of six juries, Jon Voight, the President of the Jury, Michael Gruskoff, Huo Jianqi, Cesar Charlone, Fumi Dan and Koji Takada made their appearance.
Jon Voight who serves the president of the jury was in a great mood and spoke with great humor. He appealed his friendliness with the juries.
Which film would they choose for the Sakura Grand Prix! ? Don’t miss the final day of the 21st TIFF.
Please enjoy the video of the press conference!
More information of 21st Juries
2008.10.23[Updates]
Scenes from press conference for the Half-Life by Jennifer Phang (dir.) and the united asian-american production.
For film details
Young and energetic female director, Jennifer Phang's filmitization of the story about perverse human events revolving around the sister and brother who are confused with changes in their lives in suburbs of California.
The film by JenniferPhang who lives in United States and has Chinese-Malaysianand Vietnamese parents depicts the lives of Asian-American andvarious races of people. Half-Life came about when Jennifer met Reuben in the smaller project and they met Alan through friend of a friend. That was how Half-Life created with the Asian-American filmmakers.
They also commented that the important key to success in the american film industry is to support each other and colaborate between the asian-american coleagues ,
They found the city of Tokyo to be exciting and liked it. They visited the old town Asakusa and really enjoyed it.
The scenes from teach-ins video of Half-Life is coming soon.
2008.10.23[Updates]
Scenes from the Stage Greetings: The Clone Returns to the Homeland. "Making a challenge not as 'Mitchy' the prince-charming but as an actor, Mitsuhiro Oikawa.
The original film script of "The Clone Returns to the Homeland"was a winner of the Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Awards, which was produced within the span of 3 years with the support from Wim Wenders, and now celebrated the World Premiere at the 21st edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Kanji Nakajima (dir.) and the leading actor, Mitsuhiro Oikawa appeared at the stage greeting which took place in TOHO Cnemas Roppongi Hills.
Mitsuru Oikwa who accomplished his first leading role with this feature film reflected upon his experiences when the script was initially delivered to him two years ago, He was surprised to find his portrait drawn on the storyboard which was brought to him. "I've written the script envisioning Mr. Oikawa for this acting role from the very beginning. I've mentioned to my colleagues that I won't shoot the film without him,"mentioned Kanji Nakajima (dir.).
Acting the internal aspects of the three different roles; namely, space astronaut, clone and the clone's clone who suffered the memory loss were far diffent compared with the familiar part that Mitchy has played in the past.
The details of acting roles were built merticulously upon discussions with the director, "It was like putting a thread through the needle, but I've learned the appropriate stance as an actor."said Oikawa. Nakajima added "I was glad that the commentator introduced Mitchy as the quality actor,"and also mentioned "My intentions were to expand the possibilities of the art of film and wanted the audiences to experience the new sense of excitement,"thus showing his confidence for the quality of the completed film.
"I've come this far with the support from my fans and staffs since I was still a struggling and unknown actor in the theatrical group 15 years ago. I am very thankful to them."He bowed before the fans and told them he sensed a certain success of his new challenge through the audience.
For details on film
Director Kanji Nakajima and Mitchy visited the Film Festival office.
"Lets make beautiful memories." said Mitchy enchanting the staffs of the secretariat.
2008.10.22[Special Contents]
Photo Gallery Oct. 20 (Mon) Roppongi ver. Actress Aya Sugimoto and the Director Shim Hyung-rae.
The glamorous actress Aya Sugimoto and the director of the D-WAR, Shim Hyung-rae poses for the camera.
For details on D-WAR
School Days with a Pig (Competition)
Tetsu Maeda talks about the film beside the poster featuring piglet P-chan.
Tetsu Maeda posing with the children.
For details on School Days with a Pig
Departure: From Ashoro (Japanese Eyes)
Close-up cut of Shunsuke Daito (actor)
Close-up cut of Ken Ishiguro (actor)
Close-up cut of Kazuhisa Imai (dir.)
The team of Departure: From Ashoro (Japanese Eyes)
For details on Departure: From Ashoro
Milky Way Liberation Front (Winds of Asia - Middle East)
Yoon Seong-ho (dir.)
For details on Milky Way Liberation Front
4 Nights with Anna (Competition)
Jerzy Skolimowski (dir.)
For details on 4 Nights with Anna
Wonderful Town (Winds of Asia- Middle East)
Aditya Assarat (dir.), Jetnipith Teerakulchanyut (prod.)
For details on Wonderful Town
2008.10.22[Updates]
The scenes from TIFF Competition Café interview, on photo gallery. Oct. 20 (Mon) & Oct. 21 (Tues).
The interviews for Tulpan and Super Typhoon are scheduled on Oct. 20 (Mon) and Ocean and Under the Tree are scheduled on Oct. 21 (Tue). Please enjoy the photos from the interview.
TULPAN Click here
Super Typhoon Click here
Ocean Click here
Under the Hill Click here
TULPAN (Kazakh, Russian)
Super Typhoon (China)
Ocean (Russia/Cuba)
Under the Tree (Indonesia)
TIFF Competition Café Interview
Oct. 23 (Thur)
14:00 Claustophobia (Hong Kong)
15:30 Half-Life (United States)
Oct. 24 (Fri)
14:00 Hamoon and Darya (Iran)
15:30 Sing for Darfur (Holland / Spain)
2008.10.22[Video Reports]
“I wanted to shoot a film which resembled a haiku,” said Director Takashi Koizumi at the LETTER FROM THE MOUNTAIN -Talk Show.
Please refer to the video for the Talk Show of Director Koizumi who beautifully recorded the season’s transition on camera.
For details on film