Lineup Announced: Special Screening

Posted on 2020-09-242020-10-02 by TOKYO FILMeX

■Special Screening

The Special Screenings section presents 13 films from Asia and around the world.

Love Mooning【opening film】

Japan / 2020 / 102min.
Director：MANDA Kunitoshi

Takashi, who runs a mental clinic, has never recovered from the shock of his wife’s death. One day, Ayako, a mysterious patient comes to his clinic…. A down to earth love story by MANDA Kunitoshi, casting NAKAMURA Toru for the first time after “UNLOVED”(2001) and “The Kiss” (2007). Starring SUGINO Kiki and SAITOH Takumi.

©︎Love Mooning Film Partners

It Must Be Heaven【closing film】

France, Qatar, Germany, Turkey, Palestine / 2019 / 102min.
Director：Elia SULEIMAN

A comical film raising questions about nationality and identity. Director Elia SULEIMAN himself plays the role of a film director who continues to be stuck in Palestine even when traveling to Paris and New York. Screened in Cannes Film Festival 2019 and won the FIPRESCI award.

Crash

Canada / 1996 / 100min.
Director: David CRONENBERG

Adapted from a novel by James Graham BALLARD of the same name, the film portrays people who gets aroused by car crash. Despite its controversial theme, it won the 1996 Cannes Film Festival Special Jury Prize and is known as David CONENBERG’s masterpiece. TOKYO FILMeX will screen a restored 4K version shown in last year’s Venice International Film Festival.

Denise Ho: Becoming the Song

USA / 2020 / 83min.
Director: Sue WILLIAMS

A documentary on Hong Kong’s singer and actor Denise HO, who played the main role in Johnnie TO’s “Life Without Principle” (2011). Includes many aspects of Ho’s life including her powerful concert footage, HO coming out as a lesbian, and her support for the Umbrella Movement.

Laila in Haifa

Israel, France / 2020 / 99min.
Director: Amos GITAI

Set in Haifa, Israel’s third capital and Amos GITAI’s home town, this ensemble film explores the possibility of Jews and Arabs living together by portraying the people gathered in a nightclub. The cinematographer of “A Tramway in Jerusalem”, Éric Gautier held the camera for this film again. Screened in Venice International Film Festival competition section.

Irradiated

France, Cambodia / 2020 / 88min.
Director: Rithy PANH

The atomic bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Nazi’s holocaust, and the massacre in Cambodia under Pol POT. Rity PANH’s latest work portrays these 3 tragedies with montages of numerous footages. Screened in Berlin International Film Festival competition section and won the best documentary award.

Days

Taiwan / 2020 / 127min.
Director: TSAI Ming Liang

Kan, who lives in the quite suburbs, heads out to the city to call a masseur for his neck pain. An immigrant worker visits Kan in his hotel…. TSAI Ming Liang’s latest work portrays two men in contrasting conditions. Won the Teddy Jury Award at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Septet: The Story of Hong Kong

Hong Kong / 2020 / 113min.
Director: Ann HUI, Johnnie TO, TSUI Hark, Sammo HUNG, YUEN Wo Ping, Ringo LAM, Patrick TAM

7 directors from Hong Kong came together under Johnnie TO to portray the lives of Hong Kong people from their perspective. Starring Simon YAM, LAM Suet, YUEN Wah. It became Ringo LAM’s posthumous work. Selected for “Cannes 2020.”

Swimming Out Till The Sea Turns Blue

China / 2020 / 111min.
Director: JIA Zhang-ke

A documentary following 70 years of change in modern China through interviews with literary figures. 4 writers from the different generations including YU Hua (writer of “To Live”), talk about their experience and their views on Chinese society and culture. Screened in Berlin International Film Festival.

The Calming

China / 2020 / 89min.
Director: SONG Fang

Director SONG Fang’s second work after well acclaimed first film “Memories Look at Me” (2012). Portrays a female artist who regains her “calmness” through conversations with her friends and family as she travels from Tokyo, Echigo Yuzawa and Hong Kong. Starring QI Xi and WATANABE Makiko. Won the CICAE award at Berlin International Film Festival.

The Woman Who Ran

Korea / 2020 / 77min.
Director: HONG Sang-soo

HONG Sang-soo’s latest work which won the Best Director Award at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival. Portrays a woman visiting her 3 friends living in the suburbs while her husband is away on a business trip. The intimate atmosphere of female friendship is always disturbed by the presence of men. The cat’s acting is also worthy of a look.

Minamata Mandala

Japan / 2020 / 369min.
Director: HARA Kazuo

The Minamata disease is known as one of Japan’s four major disease caused by pollution. This documentary followed its patient and its lawsuit for 15 years and was completed after 3 years of editing. An epic covering the progress of the lawsuit, patient’s daily life and scholarly studies of the Minamata disease.

©疾走プロダクション

The Work and Days (of Tayoko Shiojiri in the Shiotani Basin)

USA, Sweden, Japan, UK / 2020 / 480min.
Director: C.W. WINTER, Anders EDSTRÖM

Portrayed a year of daily life of people living in the Kyoto mountains. Won the Best Film Prize at the Encounters section of the Berlin International Film Festival. Co-directed by WINTER and EDSTRÖM, their second feature-length collaboration since “The Anchorage”. Most of the actors are actual people living in the mountains, but also some professional actors including KASE Ryo.

【Special Program】 The Satin Slipper

Portugal, France / 1985 / 410分
Director: Manoel de OLIVEIRA

＜This Film Will be screened after the festival, from 22nd November.＞

Screening dates & venues
Nov. 22th Yurakucho Asahi Hall
26th Nov. – 28th Nov. Athenee Fracais Cultural Center

Lineup Announced: Filmmaker in Focus: Elia SULEIMAN

Posted on 2020-09-242020-10-02 by TOKYO FILMeX

■Filmmaker in Focus: Elia SULEIMAN

Along with Elia SULEIMAN’s latest work “It Must Be Heaven” which will be screened as the closing film of TOKYO FILMeX, we will screen 3 featured films that the director has directed so far.

Chronicle of a Disappearance

Palestine / 1996 / 84 min
Director：Elia SULEIMAN

SULEIMAN’s first feature film, which won the Best Debut Film Prize at the Venice International Film Festival and paved his way for international acclaim. SULEIMAN’s style, which sketches people’s daily life while also poking at political and societal concern, can be already seen.

Divine Intervention

France, Palestine / 2002 / 92 min
Director：Elia SULEIMAN

Portrayed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with humor through a Palestinian couple divided by the borders of Israel and Palestine. Won both Jury Prize and FIPRESCI prize at Cannes International Film Festival. The original title translates to “The Hand of God.”

The Time That Remains

Palestine, France / 2009 / 105 min
Director：Elia SULEIMAN

SULEIMAN’s semi-autobiographical film which portrays the Israeli-Palestinian conflict across time through his father who was a member of the Palestinian resistance force during the founding of Israel in 1948, his mother who was forced live separately because of that fact, and SULEIMAN himself who visits his home town Nazareth. Screened at Cannes International Film Festival.

Elia SULEIMAN, Director

Born in Nazareth on July 28, 1960, Elia SULEIMAN lived in New York between 1981 and 1993. During this period, he directed his two first short films, Introduction to the “End of an Argument” and “Homage by Assassination”, which won him numerous prizes. In 1994, he moved to Jerusalem where the European Commission charged him with establishing a Cinema and Media department at Birzeit University. His feature debut, “Chronicle of a Disappearance”, won the Best Debut Film award at the 1996 Venice Film Festival. In 2002, “Divine Intervention” won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and the Best Foreign Film prize at the European Awards in Rome. His feature, “The Time That Remains”, screened In Competition at the 2009 Cannes film Festival. In 2012, Elia Suleiman directed the short film “Diary of a Beginner”, part of the omnibus film “7 Days in Havana”, which screened that year in Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival.

Lineup Announced: TOKYO FILMeX 2020 Competition

Posted on 2020-09-242020-10-02 by TOKYO FILMeX

“Love Mooning” by MANDA Kunitoshi will open the festival, and the closing film will be “It Must Be Heaven” by Elia SULEIMAN. New films by the directors close to TOKYO FILMeX such as HONG Sang-soo, Rithy PANH, TSAI Ming Liang, Amos GITAI and JIA Zhang-ke will be presented in the Special Screening program. In the TOKYO FILMeX Competition section, we present 12 new films by the best emerging filmmakers in Asia.
Stay in tune, we will announce the screening schedule and the ticket system in the near future.

■TOKYO FILMeX Competition Jury

MANDA Kunitoshi（ The Chairperson of the Jury ／ Japan ／ Film Director, Scriptwriter, Producer ）
Chris FUJIWARA（ United States ／ Film Critic ）
SAKAMOTO Abi（ Japan ／ Programmer ）
Eric NYARI（ United States ／ Producer ）
Tom MES ( Netherlands ／ Film Critic )

■TOKYO FILMeX Competition

This year’s TOKYO FILMeX Competition will present 12 new films by the best emerging filmmakers in Asia. The Jury that consists of five international film professionals will judge the films in this program, and the following prizes will be announced at the award ceremony on the evening of November 7th. All films in the section will be screened with English Subtitles. （★＝first feature）

Should The Wind Drop ★

France, Armenia, Belgium / 2020 / 100min.
Director: Nora MARTIROSYAN

Nagorno-Karabakh is a district that shares a border with Armenia and claims independence from Azerbaijan. The film follows a French technician who investigates an airport that was destroyed in the war and rebuilt after the ceasefire. Selected for Cannes 2020, this is Nora MARTIROSYAN’s feature directorial debut.

In Between Dying

Azerbaijan, Mexico, America / 2020 / 88min.
Director: Hilal Baydarov

This is the second dramatic feature film by Hilal BAYDAROV, an up-and-coming Azerbaijani filmmaker who trained under TARR Bela. Set during a day’s journey depicted against the desolate Central Asian landscape, the film follows the protagonist as he is chased by the shadow of death wherever he goes and throws various mysteries at the viewer. Screened in competition at the Venice International Film Festival.

Careless Crime

Iran / 2020 / 139min.
Director: Shahram MOKRI

In 1979, on the eve of the Iranian Revolution, movie theaters were burned down by mobs rejecting Western culture. Forty years later, four men hatch a plan to burn down movie theaters…. An intelligent adaptation of an outlandish idea, this is director MOKRI’s third film. Screened in the Orizzonti section at the Venice International Film Festival.

Yellow Cat

Kazkhstan, France / 2020 / 90min.
Director: Adilkhan YELZHANOV

Set in the steppes of Kazakhstan, a comedic portrayal of an ex-con’s struggle to escape the underground world and open a cinema. This is the latest film from the brilliant filmmaker Adilkhan YELZHANOV, whose many works have been consistently selected by international film festivals. Screened in the Orizzonti section at the Venice International Film Festival.

Milestone

India / 2020 / 98min.
Director: Ivan AYR

Set in north Indian, the film depicts the anguish of a veteran truck driver who works to compensate his wife’s family for her death while suffering from severe back pain. Screened in the Orizzonti section at the Venice International Film Festival, this is the second film by director Ivan AYR, whose debut film “Soni” (2018) was highly acclaimed.

Aswang ★

Philippines / 2019 / 85min.
Director: Alyx Ayn ARUMPAC

This documentary follows the struggles of those who suffer under a policy set by the Duterte regime, which gives police the right to shoot drug patients and dealers on sight. The title is taken from the name of a monster in Philippine folklore. Screed at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam.

The Silent Forest ★

Taiwan / 2020 / 104min.
Director: KO Chen-Nien

A boy who has transferred to a school for students with disability witnesses a “game” on a school bus. This is just the beginning of a brutal reality. Based on a real incident that occurred in Taiwan, this film is the directorial debut of director KO Chen-nien. Screened as the opening film at the Taipei Film Festival.

The Best Is Yet To Come ★

China / 2020 / 115min.
Director: WANG Jing

Based on a real-life newspaper reporter who sounded the alarm on many social issues, this film follows the rags to riches story of a young man who matures as a reporter. This is the directorial debut of WANG Jing, who has been assistant director to JIA Zhang-ke since “A Touch of Sin” (2013). Screened in the Orizzonti section at the Venice International Film Festival.

Any Crybabies Around?

Japan / 2020 / 108min.
Director: SATO Takuma

SATO Takuma’s theatrical debut film depicts the struggles of a man who works to preserve the traditional culture of “Namahage” on the Oga Peninsula in Akita Prefecture as he tries to regain the bond with his family that he lost due to his past mistakes. The film stars NAKANO Taiga and YOSHIOKA Riho. It had its world premiere in competition at the San Sebastián Film Festival.

The Blue Danube

Japan / 2020 / 105min.
Director: IKEDA Akira

In a fictional town where war with the neighboring town across the river is ingrained into everyday life, people experience moments of happiness and hardship. Wrapped in a unique sense of humor, this is the fourth feature length film by IKEDA Akira, whose “Anatomy of a Paper Clip” (2013) was highly acclaimed.

A Balance

Japan / 2020 / 152min.
Director: HARUMOTO Yujiro

Documentary director Yuko investigates the suicide of a high school girl. As Yuko gets closer to the truth of the case, her father, who runs a cram school, exposes a shocking revelation… This is the second film directed by HARUMOTO Yuijro, following his debut film, “Going the Distance” (2016). Starring TAKIUCHI Kumi, MITSUISHI Ken, KAWAI Yuumi, and UMEDA Masahiro.

OKINAWA SANTOS

Japan / 2020 / 90min.
Director MATSUBAYASHI Yoju

The long-awaited new documentary from MATSUBAYASHI Yoju of “The Horses of Fukushima” (2013). During World War II, many Japanese people immigrants in Santos, Brazil, were forced to move to another place. MATSUBAYASHI draws attention to the fact that 60% of the migrants were from Okinawa. Based on testimonies from interviewees, this film reveals the hidden historical relationship between Okinawa and Brazil.

(c)玄要社

Announcement: TOKYO FILMeX 2020

Posted on 2020-08-062020-08-06 by TOKYO FILMeX

TOKYO FILMeX will continue to prepare and search for the best way to hold a film festival amidst the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. However, the effects of the pandemic are big, and we will hold the festival in a different format from before.

We announce today that compared to previous editions, the 21^st TOKYO FILMeX will 1) be advance its festival period by 2 weeks, 2) change its venue and hold the festival within roughly the same period as the 33^rd Tokyo International Film Festival (The festival dates will also shorten to 7 days).

Outline of 21^st TOKYO FILMeX

Dates: Oct. 30 (Fri) to Nov. 5 (Thu)

Venue: TOHO CINEMAS Chanter

Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho (Late night screenings)

Yurakucho Asahi Hall (Opening)

Programs: TOKYO FILMeX Competitions, Special Screenings

※All informations are as of August 6 and is subject to change without notice.

Comment from director Ichiyama

This year, we have decided to hold 21^st TOKYO FILMeX roughly at the same time as the 33^rd Tokyo International Film Festival.

We heard that Tokyo International Film Festival is headed for great changes under chariman ANDO Hiroyasu and festival director HISAMATSU Takeo, and have deeply sympathized with the idea of “holding a cooperation similar to that of the Director’s Fortnight which holds its own independence within the Cannes Film Festival.”

With various media outlets today, we expect a synergistic effect in making information available under the Tokyo International Film Festival’s idea of “Mutual Strengthening of the Film Industry”.

With the world under a pandemic this year, we will hold the 21^st TOKYO FILMex with changes from Oct 30.

We ask kindly for your support and understanding.

Film Submissions for TOKYO FILMeX2020 is now open

Posted on 2020-05-212020-05-21 by TOKYO FILMeX

Film submissions now open!

Deadline for submission
Special Screenings: June 30, 2020
Competition: July 31, 2020

【Entry form, Regulations】

TOKYO FILMeX office
Email: filmsubmission@filmex.jp

Programs with no English subtitles

Posted on 2019-11-212019-11-21 by TOKYO FILMeX

We are very sorry, the following programs will not have English subtitles;

11/24 Sun. 21:15 “3 FACES”
11/25 Mon.13:00 “Suzhou River”
11/29 Fri. 15:30 “Breathless”
12/01 Sun. 10:00 “WOLF’S CALLING”(no dialogue)

TOKYO FILMeX Competition screening line up announced!

Posted on 2019-10-102019-10-15 by TOKYO FILMeX

■TOKYO FILMeX Competition

This year’s TOKYO FILMeX Competition will present 10 new films by the best emerging filmmakers in Asia. All films in the section will be screened with English Subtitles. （★＝first feature）