Hirokazu Kore-eda, the Palme d'Or-winning director of "Shoplifters," has already shot his next Japanese-language film in secret, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The title is "Monster," and while plot details are scarce at the moment, the film is currently in post-production and has set a release date for next summer in Japan.
Kore-eda is known as a writer-director, but for "Monster," he'll be handing off the screenwriting duties for the first time to Yuji Sakamoto, who has a background mainly in television. In addition, the movie pairs Kore-eda with producer Genki Kawamura, who has helped finance a number of anime hits, such as Mamoru Hosada's "The Boy and the Beast," "Mirai," and "Belle," and Makoto Shinkai's "Your Name," "Weathering with You," and "Suzume no Tojimari," the latter of which is currently playing in theaters in Japan.
Kawamura also produced the live-action adaptation of Shûichi Yoshida's novel "Villain," and he...
Kore-eda is known as a writer-director, but for "Monster," he'll be handing off the screenwriting duties for the first time to Yuji Sakamoto, who has a background mainly in television. In addition, the movie pairs Kore-eda with producer Genki Kawamura, who has helped finance a number of anime hits, such as Mamoru Hosada's "The Boy and the Beast," "Mirai," and "Belle," and Makoto Shinkai's "Your Name," "Weathering with You," and "Suzume no Tojimari," the latter of which is currently playing in theaters in Japan.
Kawamura also produced the live-action adaptation of Shûichi Yoshida's novel "Villain," and he...
- 11/18/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
Immigrating into another country or simply moving from one place to the other is mostly connected with the idea of starting new, of finding a new home and eventually even becoming the person you always wanted to be. While some of these ideals may sound far-fetched and a bit corny, the concept of another country representing the “promised land”, which is a phrase usually associated with the USA, becomes more universal, especially perhaps in a globalized world where every move may be considered an opportunity. The fact these promises can be fatal is one of the themes Japanese director and writer Takahisa Zeze has explored in many of his features, such as “Moon Child”, “Raigyo” and “Heaven’s Story”. In his feature “The Promised Land”, which was already finished in 2019, Zeze, who write the script based on a novel by Shuichi Yoshida, deals with the concept of the “promised land” and its darker undertones,...
- 6/4/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
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...
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...
- 2/11/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Third Window Films is pleased to announce the release of The Story of Yonosuke on April 14, 2014 in the UK. Shuichi Okita's latest oddity will be released on both DVD and Blu-Ray. Based on a novel by multi-award-winning author Shuichi Yoshida (Villain, Parade), this bittersweet film is the latest offering from the director of The Woodsman & the Rain and stars Kengo Kora (Norwegian Wood, Fish Story) & Yuriko Yoshitaka (Gantz, Robo-g). Synopsis: Yonosuke is a typical Japanese on-screen hero: socially awkward, childish and naive, but always cheerful and charming. We meet him when he moves from Nagasaki to Tokyo in the late eighties at the height of the city’s economic boom. Despite his odd character he manages to make new friends at university, joins a samba class and falls in love with an older woman. Sixteen years later his friends are all reminiscing over their college days, thinking back on how Yonosuke changed their lives.
- 4/14/2014
- 24framespersecond.net
Third Window Films is pleased to announce the release of The Story of Yonosuke on April 14, 2014 in the UK. Shuichi Okita's latest oddity will be released on both DVD and Blu-Ray. Based on a novel by multi-award-winning author Shuichi Yoshida (Villain, Parade), this bittersweet film is the latest offering from the director of The Woodsman & the Rain and stars Kengo Kora (Norwegian Wood, Fish Story) & Yuriko Yoshitaka (Gantz, Robo-g). Synopsis: Yonosuke is a typical Japanese on-screen hero: socially awkward, childish and naive, but always cheerful and charming. We meet him when he moves from Nagasaki to Tokyo in the late eighties at the height of the city’s economic boom. Despite his odd character he manages to make new friends at university, joins a samba class and falls in love with an older woman. Sixteen years later his friends are all reminiscing over their college days, thinking back on how Yonosuke changed their lives.
- 2/25/2014
- 24framespersecond.net
Director: Lee Sang Il. Review: Adam Wing. I usually avoid award-winning films because the height of expectation is often a curse, but it’s hard to ignore a success story of this magnitude. Based on Shuichi Yoshida’s novel of the same name, Villain is director Lee Sang Il's follow-up to the award-winning movie Hula Girl. Not that Villain has proven any less successful. Villain earned 15 nominations at the 2010 Japan Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Score and six nominations for its cast. It took home 5 of them, including Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Fukatsu Eri, herself victorious, also took home the Best Actress award at the 2010 Montreal Film Festival. Tsumabuki Satoshi (The Magic Hour) stars as one of the villains of the title, suspected of murdering his on-off girlfriend (Hikari Matsushima, Love Exposure). He is supported on this bleak journey by the likes of...
- 12/3/2011
- 24framespersecond.net
Director: Lee Sang Il. Review: Adam Wing. I usually avoid award-winning films because the height of expectation is often a curse, but it’s hard to ignore a success story of this magnitude. Based on Shuichi Yoshida’s novel of the same name, Villain is director Lee Sang Il's follow-up to the award-winning movie Hula Girl. Not that Villain has proven any less successful. Villain earned 15 nominations at the 2010 Japan Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Score and six nominations for its cast. It took home 5 of them, including Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Fukatsu Eri, herself victorious, also took home the Best Actress award at the 2010 Montreal Film Festival. Tsumabuki Satoshi (The Magic Hour) stars as one of the villains of the title, suspected of murdering his on-off girlfriend (Hikari Matsushima, Love Exposure). He is supported on this bleak journey by the likes of...
- 12/3/2011
- 24framespersecond.net
To mark the release of Villain on DVD 5th December, Third Window Films have given us three copies of the Lee Sang-il (Hula Girls) movie to give away. You can pre-order your copy here or scroll down for your chance to win one. Villain stars Eri Fukatsu (The Magic Hour, Bayside Shakedown), Satoshi Tsumabuki (Tokyo!, Villon’s Wife, Pandemic), Hikari Mitsushima (Love Exposure, Death Note, Sawako Decides) and Masaki Okada (Confessions).
Villain is based on Shuichi Yoshida’s novel of the same name, which sold over half a million copies in Japan. It has just been translated to English and was released by Random House publishing on August 18th, 2011 – a day before the theatrical release of the film.
With over twenty companies bidding for the film adaptation rights, and many of Japan’s top directors vying for the project, Lee Sang-il’s adaptation of Shuichi Yoshida’s award-winning novel Villain...
Villain is based on Shuichi Yoshida’s novel of the same name, which sold over half a million copies in Japan. It has just been translated to English and was released by Random House publishing on August 18th, 2011 – a day before the theatrical release of the film.
With over twenty companies bidding for the film adaptation rights, and many of Japan’s top directors vying for the project, Lee Sang-il’s adaptation of Shuichi Yoshida’s award-winning novel Villain...
- 11/28/2011
- by Competitons
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
2010 Japanese critical darling, Villain, is set to release in the UK in just a few weeks from our friends at Third Window Films. Here are the details.With over twenty companies bidding for the film adaptation rights, and many of Japan's top directors vying for the project, Lee Sang-il's adaptation of Shuichi Yoshida's award-winning novel Villain was one of the most hotly anticipated films of 2010. A critical hit at festivals both at home and abroad, Villain swept the board at the Japan Academy Awards, receiving fifteen nominations in thirteen categories, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Score, and winning awards in all four acting categories. Villain was also selected by the famous Kinema Junpo critics' organization as best Japanese film of the year.Directed...
- 11/17/2011
- Screen Anarchy
(Minor spoilers contained within)
Yuichi (Satoshi Tsumabuki) is a socially awkward guy who meets girls using a dating service. One girl who responds to his messages and meets up with him is the pretty and enthusiastic Yoshino (Hikari Mitsushima). She’s really more interested in the more ‘cool’ Masuo (Masaki Okada) though, a privileged guy with excessively high self esteem.
When Yoshino turns up dead, both are put in the frame for the murder but as it is very obvious from early on Yuichi is the main suspect. Going on the run with another girl he meets through the dating service, Mitsuyo (Eri Fukatsu), Yuichi tries to make an emotional connection and after confessing to her about the death of Yoshino, the two grow closer. This forms the basis of the plot of Villain but the plot spreads outwards from here, especially in its focus on the emotional mess left...
Yuichi (Satoshi Tsumabuki) is a socially awkward guy who meets girls using a dating service. One girl who responds to his messages and meets up with him is the pretty and enthusiastic Yoshino (Hikari Mitsushima). She’s really more interested in the more ‘cool’ Masuo (Masaki Okada) though, a privileged guy with excessively high self esteem.
When Yoshino turns up dead, both are put in the frame for the murder but as it is very obvious from early on Yuichi is the main suspect. Going on the run with another girl he meets through the dating service, Mitsuyo (Eri Fukatsu), Yuichi tries to make an emotional connection and after confessing to her about the death of Yoshino, the two grow closer. This forms the basis of the plot of Villain but the plot spreads outwards from here, especially in its focus on the emotional mess left...
- 8/22/2011
- by Craig Skinner
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
This sprawling thriller adapted from a hit Japanese novel is classily acted and handsomely shot, but the portrait of its antihero is pretty hollow
Shuichi Yoshida, the author whose bestselling novel this Japanese psychological thriller is adapted from, has been touted as Japan's Stieg Larsson – lazily, judging by what we see here, which is positively sedated by comparison. The story is less a whodunit than a sprawling series of character studies (some more convincing than others) of lives connected by a murder: the victim herself, who is a young woman strangled in a remote layby; her grieving parents; the two murder suspects. While being classily acted and handsomely shot, something appears to have been lost in translation from page to screen. The problem lies with antihero Yuichi (Satoshi Tsumabuki), one of the murder suspects. He's a sullen, switched-off kid, and it's a pretty hollow portrait of disaffected youth. Far more...
Shuichi Yoshida, the author whose bestselling novel this Japanese psychological thriller is adapted from, has been touted as Japan's Stieg Larsson – lazily, judging by what we see here, which is positively sedated by comparison. The story is less a whodunit than a sprawling series of character studies (some more convincing than others) of lives connected by a murder: the victim herself, who is a young woman strangled in a remote layby; her grieving parents; the two murder suspects. While being classily acted and handsomely shot, something appears to have been lost in translation from page to screen. The problem lies with antihero Yuichi (Satoshi Tsumabuki), one of the murder suspects. He's a sullen, switched-off kid, and it's a pretty hollow portrait of disaffected youth. Far more...
- 8/18/2011
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
Acclaimed Japanese drama Villain enjoys a limited release in UK cinemas. Here’s Michael’s review of a flawed yet thought-provoking film...
It would be improper to review Villain (Akunin), the award-winning Japanese drama which is getting a limited UK release this week, without acknowledging recent developments regarding its distributor, Third Window Films. As part of the recent rioting that has flared up across the country, Sony’s main Dadc warehouse in Enfield was subject to an arson attack, resulting in many independent labels (both music and film) losing vast numbers of their stock.
Third Window, who have garnered a reputation for releasing esoteric, quirky, or just flat-out brilliant East Asian films, is one of the many businesses that now find themselves in an unfortunate spot. In their particular case, almost 20,000 DVD discs have been written off, and to replenish the whole catalogue would be a great investment.
A setback like this could be fatal.
It would be improper to review Villain (Akunin), the award-winning Japanese drama which is getting a limited UK release this week, without acknowledging recent developments regarding its distributor, Third Window Films. As part of the recent rioting that has flared up across the country, Sony’s main Dadc warehouse in Enfield was subject to an arson attack, resulting in many independent labels (both music and film) losing vast numbers of their stock.
Third Window, who have garnered a reputation for releasing esoteric, quirky, or just flat-out brilliant East Asian films, is one of the many businesses that now find themselves in an unfortunate spot. In their particular case, almost 20,000 DVD discs have been written off, and to replenish the whole catalogue would be a great investment.
A setback like this could be fatal.
- 8/18/2011
- Den of Geek
Japanese films can go either way - the unnecessarily epic or brutally butchered. Sang-il Lee's most recent Academy Award winning offering, Villain (Akunin), adapts the critically-acclaimed novel of the same name, unfortunately falling into the it-drags-it's-so-long category - but at least doing so in style.
Meeting a "blue-collared loser" on a dating website proves fatal for shallow Yoshino (Hikari Mizushima), who's soon the subject of a murder investigation. As a victim, she's so loathsome as to almost deserve her fate. Initially drawn to each other by their loneliness and depressing status as singletons, the remaining leads are later bound by their misery and fear of losing each other when Yuichi's (Satoshi Tsumabuki) link to Yoshino's murder is revealed.
Scriptwriter and original novelist Shuichi Yoshida clearly uses vile characterisation to play on the title, challenging our expectations. All the male characters are arseholes, and many of the females only marginally more sympathetic,...
Meeting a "blue-collared loser" on a dating website proves fatal for shallow Yoshino (Hikari Mizushima), who's soon the subject of a murder investigation. As a victim, she's so loathsome as to almost deserve her fate. Initially drawn to each other by their loneliness and depressing status as singletons, the remaining leads are later bound by their misery and fear of losing each other when Yuichi's (Satoshi Tsumabuki) link to Yoshino's murder is revealed.
Scriptwriter and original novelist Shuichi Yoshida clearly uses vile characterisation to play on the title, challenging our expectations. All the male characters are arseholes, and many of the females only marginally more sympathetic,...
- 8/17/2011
- Shadowlocked
After great success with their last release - Sion Sono’s ‘Cold Fish’ - UK based Asian genre movie distro house Third Windows Films are at it again, with news they've set their sights on another great looking Japanese shock flick - Lee Sang-il’s hard hitting thriller Villain. Adapted from the award winning novel by Shuichi Yoshida, 'Villain' stars Eri Fukatsu and Hikari Mitsushima and was nominated for no less 15 (Winning 5) Japanese Academy Awards. Set those smart phone reminders boys and girls, this in your face flick, hits its release date August 19th. Synopsis: Yuichi is a construction worker who has lived his entire life in a dreary fishing village. With no girlfriend or friends, he spends his days working and looking after his grandparents, with no enjoyment in life other than his car. Meanwhile, Mitsuyo (Eri Fukatsu) also lives a monotonous life pacing between the men’s clothing...
- 6/11/2011
- 24framespersecond.net
[Parade screens at Japan Society in NYC Tonight, July 9th at 9pm and July 10 at noon. Isao Yukisada will introduce and give a Q&A at both screenings, and on July 10 he will be joined by actor Tatsuya Fujiwara. Click here for more info and tickets! Our thanks to Christopher Bourne for the review.]
Isao Yukisada's unsettling new film Parade at first plays like a sitcom about a bunch of roommates crammed into a tiny apartment, but eventually takes a much darker turn.
The action mostly revolves around that apartment, illegally shared by a group of people who represent a cross-section of Japanese youth. The owner of the apartment is Naoki (Tatsuya Fujiwara), a straight-laced teetotaler who works at a film distribution company, and who by all appearances is the most stable of the inhabitants. Less so is the unemployed Kotomi (Shihori Kanjiya), who spends most of her time waiting by the phone for a call from her distant actor lover, obsessively watching the soap opera he stars in. Aimless college student Ryosuke (Keisuke Koide) pursues a doomed relationship with his best friend's girlfriend, while Mirai (Karina), an illustrator with a seemingly permanent chip on her shoulder, spends her nights hanging out in gay bars,...
Isao Yukisada's unsettling new film Parade at first plays like a sitcom about a bunch of roommates crammed into a tiny apartment, but eventually takes a much darker turn.
The action mostly revolves around that apartment, illegally shared by a group of people who represent a cross-section of Japanese youth. The owner of the apartment is Naoki (Tatsuya Fujiwara), a straight-laced teetotaler who works at a film distribution company, and who by all appearances is the most stable of the inhabitants. Less so is the unemployed Kotomi (Shihori Kanjiya), who spends most of her time waiting by the phone for a call from her distant actor lover, obsessively watching the soap opera he stars in. Aimless college student Ryosuke (Keisuke Koide) pursues a doomed relationship with his best friend's girlfriend, while Mirai (Karina), an illustrator with a seemingly permanent chip on her shoulder, spends her nights hanging out in gay bars,...
- 7/9/2010
- Screen Anarchy
What happens when you really don't know your roommates?
In Parade, Isao Yukisada masterfully crafts a story that examines friendship, secrets and romance in an eerie yet humorous tone. Set in Tokyo, four roommates from various backgrounds let a drifter stay in their apartment despite the neighborhoods alarm over a rapist on the loose. Is their new blonde-haired friend as kind as he seems or is there something darker lurking underneath the surface?
I caught Parade at the L.A. Film Fest last month where it made its U.S. premiere and the director talked about how he brought much of the humor to the film which was adapted from Shuichi Yoshida's novel of the same name. It's a solid movie with interesting characters and one of the best from the fest.
Official Site: www.parade-movie.com...
In Parade, Isao Yukisada masterfully crafts a story that examines friendship, secrets and romance in an eerie yet humorous tone. Set in Tokyo, four roommates from various backgrounds let a drifter stay in their apartment despite the neighborhoods alarm over a rapist on the loose. Is their new blonde-haired friend as kind as he seems or is there something darker lurking underneath the surface?
I caught Parade at the L.A. Film Fest last month where it made its U.S. premiere and the director talked about how he brought much of the humor to the film which was adapted from Shuichi Yoshida's novel of the same name. It's a solid movie with interesting characters and one of the best from the fest.
Official Site: www.parade-movie.com...
- 7/6/2010
- by karen@reelartsy.com (Karen)
- Reelartsy
Based on an award-winning 2002 novel by Shuichi Yoshida, Isao Yukisada‘s Parade offers a window into the lives of four roommates in a 2-bedroom Tokyo apartment. Although they’re all friends and live in cramped quarters, they each keep certain aspects of their lives closely guarded, maintaining the blissful atmosphere of their living arrangement by turning a blind eye when need be. To call it a comment on modern-day Japanese society would be a bit myopic, as the themes explored apply to just about anyone who doesn’t blurt out their life story to every acquaintance. In truth, we each share what we want to share and hear what we want to hear from others, hiding or ignoring the rest as we see fit.
The film is broken down into four parts, with each focusing on a separate character within the apartment as time progresses forward. Because of this, the...
The film is broken down into four parts, with each focusing on a separate character within the apartment as time progresses forward. Because of this, the...
- 6/25/2010
- Nippon Cinema
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.