2008.10.21[Updates]
“BLINDNESS” Press Conference with Director Fernando Meirelles, Actresses Julian Moore, Yoshino Kimura and more!!
An exclusive interview with international actress, Yoshino Kimura
Staff from Canada, Brazil and Japan join to film “BLINDNESS”.
On October 20th (Monday), Julian Moore (actress), Fernando Meirelles (director), Yusuke Iseya (actor), Yoshino Kimura (actress), Don McKellar (screenplay), Niv Fichman (producer), and Sonoko Sakai (producer) appeared for a press conference for their film, “BLINDNESS”.
When asked about Julian Moore’s acting, Meirelles remarked, “Julian is a wonderful actress and she really supported the idea of this movie. As for her acting, there’s nothing for me to say—she did an excellent job!”
“Tokyo is truly an exciting city and I love Japanese culture! I’m also happy to be a part of this wonderful movie!” beamed Moore upon her first visit to Tokyo.
Meirelles explained that the cast and staff all experienced what it was like to be blind by “training them play tag blindfolded for about 4-5 hours”.
Actor Yusuke Iseya commented that “when you’re blindfolded, a car passing by you a meter away feels like it’s only centimeters away. We also trained using only the sound of a small bell to move around, and the only person we could depend on was the ‘stranger’ next to us. If you cared for that person you felt safe, if not, there was a total breakdown in trust—one of the themes this movie conveys. It was a valuable experience.”
Kimura also had a lot to gain from the blindfolded sessions. “Doing workshops to film a movie was something new to me. During the training, all I could really do was to crouch down and stay still. I felt completely frightened and helpless without sight.”
After the press conference, Sumo Master Shibatayama (The 62nd Yokozuna, Onokuni), also known as “Master of Sweets”, brought a bunch of Japanese king-size cakes as a gift. “I love cake! I love Japan!” Moore was certainly excited by this and filled the room with laughter。
“BLINDNESS” in theaters from Saturday, November 22nd
For film details
2008.10.20[Updates]
Green Carpet Gallery III
Scenery to Remember (Japanese Eyes)
The cast and staff of the Scenery to Remember, Kiyotaka Nambara (nick named Nan-Chan) gather at the Green Carpet welcome.
The members of the International Competition Juries.
RED CLIFF Part I (Opening Screening)
Mr. Taro Aso, the Prime Minister of Japan rushed to the scene of the opening ceremony and shook hands with the Director John Woo. He is the first incumbent Prime Minister to walk on the welcome carpet (green or red).
LOVE FIGHT (Special Screenings)
Kie Kitano (actress) and Kento Hayashi (actor) pose for photo shot.The popular actor, Takao Osawa who produced the film recorded the two young stars arrive at the Green Carpet with his hand held video camera.
Tsuyoshi Ihara, the actor who performed in Letters from Iwo Jima, the 20th TIFF’s Opening Film and the singer, Ryoko Moriyama pose for the camera.
Super Typhoon (Competition Section)
Song Xiaying (actress), Feng Xiaoning (Dir.) and Liu Xiaowei (actress)
My Magic (Winds of Asia - Middle East)
The leading actor, Boscp Francis exhibits the magic which he also performs in the film, My Magic.
The cast and staff of the Scenery to Remember, Kiyotaka Nambara (nick named Nan-Chan) gather at the Green Carpet welcome.
The members of the International Competition Juries.
RED CLIFF Part I (Opening Screening)
Mr. Taro Aso, the Prime Minister of Japan rushed to the scene of the opening ceremony and shook hands with the Director John Woo. He is the first incumbent Prime Minister to walk on the welcome carpet (green or red).
LOVE FIGHT (Special Screenings)
Kie Kitano (actress) and Kento Hayashi (actor) pose for photo shot.The popular actor, Takao Osawa who produced the film recorded the two young stars arrive at the Green Carpet with his hand held video camera.
Tsuyoshi Ihara, the actor who performed in Letters from Iwo Jima, the 20th TIFF’s Opening Film and the singer, Ryoko Moriyama pose for the camera.
Super Typhoon (Competition Section)
Song Xiaying (actress), Feng Xiaoning (Dir.) and Liu Xiaowei (actress)
My Magic (Winds of Asia - Middle East)
The leading actor, Boscp Francis exhibits the magic which he also performs in the film, My Magic.
2008.10.20[Updates]
Exclusive Interview with Director Fernando Meirelles of “BLINDNESS”!
“BLINDNESS” directed by Fernado Meirelles was selected as one of the films featured in this year’s Special Screenings. The filmmaker’s sensational Japan debut was at the 15th Tokyo International Film Festival in 2002 with “City of God”, his first feature film about two boys growing up in a violent neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. Now he is back to TIFF with his latest film BLINDNESS which was also selected as the opening film at the Cannes International Festival.
Here’s some notes and quotes from the exclusive interview we had with Director Meirelles who arrived in Japan a little earlier than others to attend the BLINDNESS Press Conference.
To see the interview video.Click here
“BLINDNESS”For film details
Q. BLINDNESS is based on the novel by José Saramago. Why did you choose this novel?
A. The idea of the novel was that we start from a very normal world based in everyday life, stable and everything. Then something happens and this first guy loses his sight, and little by little, everybody gets blind and the society collapses. It really shows how fragile our civilization is and how close we are to animals in our primitive side. A normal person one day loses his sight and in a few weeks he becomes like an animal; eating, having sex... He really goes down pretty fast. That’s what I thought was pretty interesting.
Q. By the simple act of losing one’s sight, it reveals the primitive nature within us. You must have wondered what it would be like to lose your sight. What were some things you thought about?
A. One thing is that when just one person loses sight, then all the others help you. But it is a very different situation when everybody loses their sight?that’s the situation of the film. There is nobody to help you and you are by yourself. I think that this is the kind of film you watch and you are always asking yourself, “What would I do if I were in this situation?” I like it when that happens. When you start watching the film and you see people behaving the way they behave, going down and down. The audience would ask themselves, “Would I do this? Would I rape somebody?” I ask myself to where I would go down to if I were in that situation. I think that this is the kind of question we should ask ourselves.
Q. Why is the doctor’s wife (played by Julian Moore) the one that retains her sight?
A. Well, watch it (laugh). This is the first things I asked José Saramago when I met him, “Why she could see?” And he said, “I don’t know, it was pure chance. There’s no reason, she is not a better person or anything. Some things in life we can’t explain. But anyway, this is not a film about that?about why she is immune, and not about a disease and the cure, or why people are sick and others are not. I think that if we start talking about why she is immune and if she has something special in her blood, the film would go to a totally different direction. This film is really not about this disease?it’s about our incapacity of seeing others. “Sight” in this film is like a metaphor to knowledge, so when we lose our sight, we are revealing our ignorance. So I think it was a good idea not to talk about that because if we did, it would go in a totally different direction.
Q. Your debut film “City of God” brought you to the 15th TIFF. Do you have any memorable moments of your visit then?
A. When we came to Japan with “City of God” in the Competition section, for me it was an amazing experience. First of all because I never thought that film would cross the world and of course I never thought it would bring me to Japan?it’s on the other side of the planet from where I live! At that point, I was impressed with many things then; the traveling and being interviewed. I remember I came to Tokyo and at the hotel I had 75 interviews in 4 days! I was very overwhelmed! The only pity was that I didn’t have a single minute to walk the streets of Tokyo. When I was young, I traveled in Japan for a month by myself and I really loved the countryside. This time, my plan is to show my film at the festival and to take something like a week off to walk around Tokyo.
Here’s some notes and quotes from the exclusive interview we had with Director Meirelles who arrived in Japan a little earlier than others to attend the BLINDNESS Press Conference.
To see the interview video.Click here
“BLINDNESS”For film details
2008 Rhombus Media/O2 Filmes/Bee Vine Pictures
Q. BLINDNESS is based on the novel by José Saramago. Why did you choose this novel?
A. The idea of the novel was that we start from a very normal world based in everyday life, stable and everything. Then something happens and this first guy loses his sight, and little by little, everybody gets blind and the society collapses. It really shows how fragile our civilization is and how close we are to animals in our primitive side. A normal person one day loses his sight and in a few weeks he becomes like an animal; eating, having sex... He really goes down pretty fast. That’s what I thought was pretty interesting.
Q. By the simple act of losing one’s sight, it reveals the primitive nature within us. You must have wondered what it would be like to lose your sight. What were some things you thought about?
A. One thing is that when just one person loses sight, then all the others help you. But it is a very different situation when everybody loses their sight?that’s the situation of the film. There is nobody to help you and you are by yourself. I think that this is the kind of film you watch and you are always asking yourself, “What would I do if I were in this situation?” I like it when that happens. When you start watching the film and you see people behaving the way they behave, going down and down. The audience would ask themselves, “Would I do this? Would I rape somebody?” I ask myself to where I would go down to if I were in that situation. I think that this is the kind of question we should ask ourselves.
Q. Why is the doctor’s wife (played by Julian Moore) the one that retains her sight?
A. Well, watch it (laugh). This is the first things I asked José Saramago when I met him, “Why she could see?” And he said, “I don’t know, it was pure chance. There’s no reason, she is not a better person or anything. Some things in life we can’t explain. But anyway, this is not a film about that?about why she is immune, and not about a disease and the cure, or why people are sick and others are not. I think that if we start talking about why she is immune and if she has something special in her blood, the film would go to a totally different direction. This film is really not about this disease?it’s about our incapacity of seeing others. “Sight” in this film is like a metaphor to knowledge, so when we lose our sight, we are revealing our ignorance. So I think it was a good idea not to talk about that because if we did, it would go in a totally different direction.
Q. Your debut film “City of God” brought you to the 15th TIFF. Do you have any memorable moments of your visit then?
A. When we came to Japan with “City of God” in the Competition section, for me it was an amazing experience. First of all because I never thought that film would cross the world and of course I never thought it would bring me to Japan?it’s on the other side of the planet from where I live! At that point, I was impressed with many things then; the traveling and being interviewed. I remember I came to Tokyo and at the hotel I had 75 interviews in 4 days! I was very overwhelmed! The only pity was that I didn’t have a single minute to walk the streets of Tokyo. When I was young, I traveled in Japan for a month by myself and I really loved the countryside. This time, my plan is to show my film at the festival and to take something like a week off to walk around Tokyo.
2008.10.20[Updates]
Green Carpet Gallery IV
The vocalist, Ayaka Hirahara and the juries of TOYOTA Earth Grand Prix, Tetsuya Bessho [actor] and Masami Nagasawa [actress]
Osaka Hamlet (Japanese Eyes Section)
Fujiro Mitsuishi [dir.] and Keiko Matsuzaka [actress]
Shunsuke Daito [actor], Ken Ishiguro [actor], Kazuhisa Imai [dir.]
Actress, Karena Lam of Claustrophobia (Competition Section) is breathtaking in her silver dress!
Under the Tree (Competition Section)
Garin Nugroho [dir.], Nadia Saphira [actress], Ikranagara [actor] and Ayu Laksmi [actress]
4 Nights with Anna
Jerzy Skolimowski [dir.] and Eva Piaskowska [executive producer]
The 21st TIFF received the Directors of the World Film Festival and the members of the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) to strengthen the international communications network.
Mr. Wilfred Wong, the Chairman of The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society.
Ms. Beki Probst, Director of European Film Market, Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin
Mr. Kim Dong Ho, Festival Director of Pusan International Film Festival.
Mr. Benoit Ginisty, Interim Director General of the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAFP).
Mr. Tadano’s Secret Mission - From Japan with Love (Special Screenings Section)
Hisashi Ueda [dir.] and Katsunori Takahashi [actor]
Claustrophobia (Competition Section)
Ivy Ho [dir.] and Karena Lam [actress]
Echo of Silence
Atsuro Watabe [dir.] and Saki Takaoka [actress]
The Shonen Merikensack(Special Screenings)
Kankuro Kudo [dir.], Hiroki Miyake [actor], Yuichi Kimura, Aoi Miyazaki [actress], Koichi Sato [actor]and Tomorowo Taguchi [actor]
The team of The Shonen Merikensack stroll the Green Carpet.
2008.10.20[Updates]
Going for the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix!! “Under the Tree” Q&A Session
The 21st Tokyo International Film Festival began on October 18th. The Competition section, one of the most renowned movie sections, began its screening with the Indonesian movie, “Under the Tree”. Director Garin Nugroho has in the past participated in TIFF as a judge, a rare case for somebody like him to be chosen to screen a movie in the Competition section. Of the ten films Nugrobo has made, five of his works including “Under the Tree” have been screened at TIFF?no doubt a regular at this festival.
The magical rituals of Bali Island color the scenes of “Under the Tree” where three women journey through life, death, and motherhood. The story unfolds almost as if a documentary which kept the audience at the tip of their seats.
After the screening, Nugrobo, actresses Nadia Saphira, Ayu Laksmi and actor IKRANAGARA appeared for the Q&A Session. Enthusiastic questions such as “What does the title of the movie mean?” and “Did you have the three women in mind from the planning stages?” came from the audience. However, what grabbed the audience’s attention was Nugrobo’s explanation of how “over 80 percent of the dialogue was improvised by the cast”. IKRANAGARA added that “improvisation is a tradition in Balinese theater”, but it seemed as if this did not come so naturally to the up and coming actress, Nadia Saphira, who acted the role of a 19-year-old girl falling in love with a man 44 years older than herself. Saphira looks back on the filming of the movie and remembers that, “Improvising was something new to me as well as falling in love with a man more than 40 years older, but Nugrobo insisted that I be more alluring!” which filled the theater with laughter.
The Q&A Session is one of the rare opportunities for the audience to directly ask questions to the director and/or the cast. Don’t miss this chance to talk to your favorite director or actor!
The magical rituals of Bali Island color the scenes of “Under the Tree” where three women journey through life, death, and motherhood. The story unfolds almost as if a documentary which kept the audience at the tip of their seats.
After the screening, Nugrobo, actresses Nadia Saphira, Ayu Laksmi and actor IKRANAGARA appeared for the Q&A Session. Enthusiastic questions such as “What does the title of the movie mean?” and “Did you have the three women in mind from the planning stages?” came from the audience. However, what grabbed the audience’s attention was Nugrobo’s explanation of how “over 80 percent of the dialogue was improvised by the cast”. IKRANAGARA added that “improvisation is a tradition in Balinese theater”, but it seemed as if this did not come so naturally to the up and coming actress, Nadia Saphira, who acted the role of a 19-year-old girl falling in love with a man 44 years older than herself. Saphira looks back on the filming of the movie and remembers that, “Improvising was something new to me as well as falling in love with a man more than 40 years older, but Nugrobo insisted that I be more alluring!” which filled the theater with laughter.
The Q&A Session is one of the rare opportunities for the audience to directly ask questions to the director and/or the cast. Don’t miss this chance to talk to your favorite director or actor!
Director Garin Nugroho in his national costume with Nadia Saphira
2008.10.20[Updates]
Green Carpet Gallery II
ROUTE134STORY Feathers of a Chamomile
Kayoko Kishimoto [actress], Micro [dir.] and Ayumi Ito {actress} (From left)
Kaori Momoi [actress]
Hiroshi Abe [actor], Kanata Hongo [actor] and Kenji Nakanishi (From left)
Aya Ueto dressed fabulously with Japanese kimono.
Masao Kosuge [original concept], Hisako Manda [actress], Keiko Horiuchi [actress], Yasuhi Nakamura [actor], Ai Maeda [actress], Masahiko Makino [dir.] and Hiroyuki Nagato [actor] are the team of Penguins in the Sky- Asahiyama Zoo. (From left)
The two brothers, Masahiko Makino and Hiroyuki Nagato greets the fans.
The team of The Homeless Student, Chizuru Ikewaki, Teppei Koike, Akihiro Nishino, Hiroshi Tamura and Chiki Tenjo gathered at the Green Carpet Welcome. The writer of the novel, Hiroshi Tamura recalled his experience at the lawn of the park and enjoyed the sweet sense of déjà vu and provoked the laughter of his company.
The Clone Returns to the Homeland
Kyusaku Shimada [actor], Nakajima Kanji [dir./writer], Mitsuhiro Oikawa [leading actor], And Mister Clone (From the left).
THE CODE
Joe Shishido (actor), Hiroki Matsukata (actor), Izumi Inamori (actress), Shiro Sano (actor), Shunsuke Matsuoka (actor), Kaizo Hayashi (dir.) arethe team of THE CODE. (From Left)
The leading actress of THE CODE, Izumi Inamori looks fabulous in her white dress!
Jiro Showno (dir.), Yasuko Matsuyuki (actress) and Kippei Shiina (actor) are the team of Time Lost, Time Found .
The presence of the leading actress of the film, Time Lost, Time Found, Yasuko Matsuyuki in her silver blue dress enlivens the Opening Ceremony evening.
Kayoko Kishimoto [actress], Micro [dir.] and Ayumi Ito {actress} (From left)
Kaori Momoi [actress]
Hiroshi Abe [actor], Kanata Hongo [actor] and Kenji Nakanishi (From left)
Aya Ueto dressed fabulously with Japanese kimono.
Masao Kosuge [original concept], Hisako Manda [actress], Keiko Horiuchi [actress], Yasuhi Nakamura [actor], Ai Maeda [actress], Masahiko Makino [dir.] and Hiroyuki Nagato [actor] are the team of Penguins in the Sky- Asahiyama Zoo. (From left)
The two brothers, Masahiko Makino and Hiroyuki Nagato greets the fans.
The team of The Homeless Student, Chizuru Ikewaki, Teppei Koike, Akihiro Nishino, Hiroshi Tamura and Chiki Tenjo gathered at the Green Carpet Welcome. The writer of the novel, Hiroshi Tamura recalled his experience at the lawn of the park and enjoyed the sweet sense of déjà vu and provoked the laughter of his company.
The Clone Returns to the Homeland
Kyusaku Shimada [actor], Nakajima Kanji [dir./writer], Mitsuhiro Oikawa [leading actor], And Mister Clone (From the left).
THE CODE
Joe Shishido (actor), Hiroki Matsukata (actor), Izumi Inamori (actress), Shiro Sano (actor), Shunsuke Matsuoka (actor), Kaizo Hayashi (dir.) arethe team of THE CODE. (From Left)
The leading actress of THE CODE, Izumi Inamori looks fabulous in her white dress!
Jiro Showno (dir.), Yasuko Matsuyuki (actress) and Kippei Shiina (actor) are the team of Time Lost, Time Found .
The presence of the leading actress of the film, Time Lost, Time Found, Yasuko Matsuyuki in her silver blue dress enlivens the Opening Ceremony evening.
2008.10.20[Updates]
The special event, TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL iQ night was held followed by the 21st TIFF Opening Ceremony!
Numerous stars from home and abroad made series of joint appearances at the Green Carpet Welcome during the Opening Ceremony. The air of excitement of the opening night continued in to TIFF Movie Café set in Roppongi Hills, where the TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL iQnight took place
The event was well-orchestrated with 21st TIFF's opening visuals and special footages arranged with the memorable classic movie themes to enliven the mood of the evening.
【TIFF night】 scheduled for Oct. 24 (Fri) & 25 (Sat)！
For details
The event was well-orchestrated with 21st TIFF's opening visuals and special footages arranged with the memorable classic movie themes to enliven the mood of the evening.
The official car, iQ for the pick up.
Opening visuals and special footages were shown at the café.
The world-famous DJs enlivened the evening! The DJs will appear again at the event scheduled for the 24th!
You can visit the TIFF Movie Café after watching your favorite movie! The special event is scheduled for Oct. 24 (Fri) & Oct. 25 (Sat)!
Chairman Tom Yoda greeting guests at the iQ night
【TIFF night】 scheduled for Oct. 24 (Fri) & 25 (Sat)！
For details
2008.10.20[Updates]
The additional guest appearance info for the film, FUSA (Special Program Screening)
Kiichi Nakai(actor) of the film FUSA is scheduled to make an appearance.
Date: Oct. 24 (Fri) 17:30
For details
Date: Oct. 24 (Fri) 17:30
For details
2008.10.20[Special Contents]
Catch the cyberTIFF STATION (Oct. 19) for Stage guest greetings of the films, Scenery to Remember and THE CODE.
The compilation digest of the day at the 21st TIFF by cyber TIFF STATION.
The contents of Oct. 19
・The stars at the Green Carpet
・Appearances of super action stars of the previous years with lead actor, Kikunosuke Onoe from the Japanese Eyes section screening film, THE CODE.
・The stage greetings from the staff and cast of the Japanese Eyes section, Scenery to Remember, with Nobuhiko Obayashi (director) and the Kiyotaka Nambara (lead actor).
・HELLS ANGELS &Special Program The 80th Anniversary of Tezuka Osamu from the animecs TIFF screenings.
・The scenes from the event, iQnight.
2008.10.20[Updates]
Green Carpet Gallery
Yoshino Kimura (left), the Film Festival Ambassador and Tony Leung (center) of RED CLIFF Part I and Green Ambassador Anne (right) made their appearances at the Green Carpet.
Chairman Tom Yoda (left) and Hideyuki Takai (right), Advisory Board of Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan joined by the Ambassadors Yoshino Kimura and Anne.
BLINDNESS
Yoshino Kimura [actress] (2nd from left), Fernando Meirelles [director] (3rd from left), Julianne Moore (actress) and Yusuke Iseya (right of Ms.Moore)。 (The staff and cast of the Special Screenings, BLINDNESS)
KILL
Yuma Ishigaki, Takuya Mizoguchi, Yoko Fujita, Ayaka Morita (The staff and cast of Japanese Eyes section screening, KILL)
School Days with a Pig
Piglet P-chan in arms of Satoshi Tsumabuki (center) and Tetsu Maeda (left of S. Tsumabuki) with the 26 students of the film, School Days with a Pig.
THE MEERKATS
THE MEERKATS screening at natural TIFF supported by TOYOTA
Blue Symphony
Takahiro Mitsuyoshi [director] (from left). Magibon (web idol), YAMATO and Maomi Yuki.
The host of the 21st TIFF Opening Ceremony, John Kabira and Junko Kubo..
The guests waiting for the Opening Ceremony to begin! TIFF appreciates the participation and of the fans this year as well.
