From her debut, Mika Ninagawa implemented a distinct style of her own, which focused on image even more than context, bolstering intense colors and impressive set designs and costumes, to the point that almost each frame looks like a painting or a photograph, with the latter actually being her main profession. And while her later movies also entail this style, “Sakuran” remains the one where this approach finds its apogee.
Sakuran is screening at Japan Society https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fnSUUGfD0s&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=JapanSocietyNYC
Based on the homonymous manga by Moyoco Anno and with a script by Yuki Tanada, the story takes place in 18th century Edo, in the red-light district of Yoshiwara. In that district, the most prestigious category of courtesans is called “Oiran”, and a whole protocol is established just for someone to meet them. The film revolves around Kiyoha, who is...
Sakuran is screening at Japan Society https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fnSUUGfD0s&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=JapanSocietyNYC
Based on the homonymous manga by Moyoco Anno and with a script by Yuki Tanada, the story takes place in 18th century Edo, in the red-light district of Yoshiwara. In that district, the most prestigious category of courtesans is called “Oiran”, and a whole protocol is established just for someone to meet them. The film revolves around Kiyoha, who is...
- 2/9/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
One of the most impressive traits of a number of Japanese filmmakers is the way they accept their inner quirkiness and channel it to occasionally impressive, but always intriguing and surrealistically funny narratives. This trait finds one its apogees in Katsuhito Ishii’s “Taste of Tea” from a director that has actually based its career in this particular tactic. The movie is also one of the most successful of the director, winning awards from festivals both in Japan and all over the world.
The Haruno family is a clan of “weirdos” living in a house in a small rural town outside of Tokyo. Nobuo, the father is a hypnotist who occasionally practices on his own family and hates his brother, a flashy manga artist who lives in the city. Ayano, the cool uncle, who is a sound recordist, also stays in the house taking a sabbatical and...
The Haruno family is a clan of “weirdos” living in a house in a small rural town outside of Tokyo. Nobuo, the father is a hypnotist who occasionally practices on his own family and hates his brother, a flashy manga artist who lives in the city. Ayano, the cool uncle, who is a sound recordist, also stays in the house taking a sabbatical and...
- 10/1/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
I have not seen the two films Ninagawa directed in 2019 but her first two, “Sakuran” and “Helter Skelter” are among my favorite Japanese films of all time, both due to their concept and their intense visual style. Thus, I was quite curious to see how her style would be implemented in a TV series and Netflix’s “Followers” provided the opportunity.
The story revolves around four women. Limi Nara is a very successful photographer, who now feels the need to become a mother, despite the fact that she is single. Natsume Hyakuta has come to Tokyo in order to become an actress, but has not managed to do so at all, and she just does whatever job comes her way waiting for her big break. However, her life changes when she meets Hiraku, a YouTuber who used to be in the movie industry when he was younger, and when Limi...
The story revolves around four women. Limi Nara is a very successful photographer, who now feels the need to become a mother, despite the fact that she is single. Natsume Hyakuta has come to Tokyo in order to become an actress, but has not managed to do so at all, and she just does whatever job comes her way waiting for her big break. However, her life changes when she meets Hiraku, a YouTuber who used to be in the movie industry when he was younger, and when Limi...
- 3/11/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
www.hollywoodnews.com: MTV video music Aid Japan brought music, fans and philanthropy together in an energetic, colourful and upbeat live two-hour music television event to benefit the Japanese Red Cross tonight. Hosted by AKB48 and featuring live performances from Lady Gaga, Tokio Hotel, Girls’ Generation, Monkey Majik, Kana Nishino, SHINee, One Night Only, Namie Amuro, Anna Tsuchiya, AI and Exile.
MTV Video Music Aid Japan was broadcast live from Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture to more than 30 million households on MTV Japan, MTV Korea, MTV Sea and MTV China. A special one-hour version of MTV Video Music Aid Japan will air on MTV channels worldwide to over a half-billion homes on July 29 as special instalment of MTV’s weekly global live music series, MTV World Stage.
MTV Video Music Aid Japan opened with Lady Gaga trapped in a giant spiderweb for her performance of “The Edge of Glory,” the...
MTV Video Music Aid Japan was broadcast live from Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture to more than 30 million households on MTV Japan, MTV Korea, MTV Sea and MTV China. A special one-hour version of MTV Video Music Aid Japan will air on MTV channels worldwide to over a half-billion homes on July 29 as special instalment of MTV’s weekly global live music series, MTV World Stage.
MTV Video Music Aid Japan opened with Lady Gaga trapped in a giant spiderweb for her performance of “The Edge of Glory,” the...
- 6/25/2011
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
One of the wonderful things about independent home video labels is that they are able to champion individual filmmakers in a way that major studios have no interest in doing. Arrow Video has taken an interest in giving Argento, Romero, and Fulci their due; while Severin Films had their sights set on making the films of Jess Franco, Walerian Borowcyzk, and Joe D'Amato the credit they deserve. Third Window Films is also determined to help bring some of their favorite directors some exposure, even if the Western world hasn't yet discovered them. When I spoke to Third Window's Adam Torel, he gave me three names of filmmakers/auteurs that he really stood behind with his label, and those three are Tetsuya Nakashima, Sion Sono, and Miki Satoshi. The first two should be names not unfamiliar to many Twitch readers, Nakashima's Kamikaze Girls and Sono's Love Exposure, among others, are some...
- 12/24/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Director: Tetsuya Nakashima. Review: Adam Wing. Based on the hit Japanese novel Shimotsuma Story by Novala Takemoto, Kamikaze Girls stars Kyoko Fukada as leading lady Momoko. All bonnets, frilly dresses and fancy parasols, Kyoko makes for an adorable presence with personality and performance to match. After her mother (Ryoko Shinohara) leaves, and her would-be yakuza father (Hiroyuki Miyasako) gets kicked out of the big city for selling the wrong kind of designer knock-offs, Momoko and her dad move to the country. They move in with her grandmother (Kirin Kiki) who displays lightning fast reflexes when it comes to ridden the house of unwanted bugs. Desperate for money, Momoko starts selling the remainder of her father's counterfeit clothing, but her only customer is a tough-talking young biker chick called Ichigo (a husky Anna Tsuchiya), who belongs to an all-girl gang. Soon enough they become the best of friends, even if they wont admit it,...
- 2/13/2010
- 24framespersecond.net
Nippon Cinema reports that Third Window Films will release its first Blu-ray Disc in February 2010 and that the British independent label has chosen Tetsuya Nakashima’s 2004 GothiklolitaBikergirlComedyDramaThingy Kamikaze Girls starring Kyoko Fukada and Anna Tsuchiya as the first high definition title.
Planned release date is February 8, 2010, the Blu-ray Disc will include the original Japanese audio and English subtitles. Features are tba, but I guess Twf has lots of extra material since Kamikaze Girls will be released as a two disc special edition on the same day. According to Kevin, the Bd will be Region B locked.
btw, a representative of Third Window Films has left a statement regard a Blu-ray Disc release of Sion Sono’s Love Exposure in the Twitch comment section stating that they acquired the Blu-ray discs rights but are worried if such a release will pay off because of the market situation…
However, Love Exposure will...
Planned release date is February 8, 2010, the Blu-ray Disc will include the original Japanese audio and English subtitles. Features are tba, but I guess Twf has lots of extra material since Kamikaze Girls will be released as a two disc special edition on the same day. According to Kevin, the Bd will be Region B locked.
btw, a representative of Third Window Films has left a statement regard a Blu-ray Disc release of Sion Sono’s Love Exposure in the Twitch comment section stating that they acquired the Blu-ray discs rights but are worried if such a release will pay off because of the market situation…
However, Love Exposure will...
- 10/7/2009
- by Ulrik
- Affenheimtheater
Japanese director Tetsuya Nakashima (Memories Of Matsuko) has rapidly earned himself a reputation as a hugely talented and idiosyncratic auteur whose genre-busting films have been favourably compared to the work of directors such as Tim Burton (Charlie And The Chocolate Factory; Big Fish), Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge; Romeo And Juliet) and Jean-Pierre Jeunet (A Very Long Engagement; Amelie). Now, the pop culture phenomenon that has taken Japan by storm, Nakashima's Kamikaze Girls, comes to DVD courtesy of Third Window Films.
Based on the bestselling novel-turned-manga by cult author Novala Takemoto, Kamikaze Girls concerns 17-year-old Momoko (Kyoko Fukada), a self-absorbed dreamer and ‘Lolita' fashion obsessive whose love of all things Rococo sees her fantasizing about fleeing her backcountry home and living life in 18th Century Versailles.
While selling off her father's supplies of bootleg designer fashion goods in order to fund her expensive obsession, Momoko unexpectedly meets the rebellious Ichigo (Anna Tsuchiya...
Based on the bestselling novel-turned-manga by cult author Novala Takemoto, Kamikaze Girls concerns 17-year-old Momoko (Kyoko Fukada), a self-absorbed dreamer and ‘Lolita' fashion obsessive whose love of all things Rococo sees her fantasizing about fleeing her backcountry home and living life in 18th Century Versailles.
While selling off her father's supplies of bootleg designer fashion goods in order to fund her expensive obsession, Momoko unexpectedly meets the rebellious Ichigo (Anna Tsuchiya...
- 1/22/2009
- by Leigh
- Latemag.com/film
- As part of the tenth anniversary of the Fantasia Festival, a number of films will be screened under the night sky in the Parc de la Paix (Boul. Saint-Laurent between Sainte-Catherine and René-Lévesque), and better yet, theyâ.ll be shown for free. The films will be shown in their original languages, with English subtitles. The screenings will take place on July 14, 15, 21 and 22, 2006, at 9 pm. This project is the result of the partnership between the City of Montreal, the Sat, Belle Gueule and Concept Audio Visuel. In case of rain, the screenings will be cancelled. Screenings courtesy of Anchor Bay Canada, Media Blasters and Viz Video. * * * Friday July 14th, 2006 â. 9 pm Kamikaze Girls Japan - 2003 - 103 min In Japanese with English subtitles Director: Nakashima Tetsuya Momokoâ.s drab existence is rudely interrupted by the sudden intrusion into her life by Ichiko. A foulmouthed, spitting, snarling tough girl in
- 7/14/2006
- IONCINEMA.com
Screened
Hong Kong International Film Festival
HONG KONG -- When it comes to quirky and eccentric fashion, you can't beat Japan's youth culture. One current trend is the Lolita look, where teenage girls doll themselves up in frilly, Bo-Peep dresses full of embroidered lace and rococo romanticism. The amusing Kamikaze Girls shows what happens when one such delicate flower finds an unlikely ally with a rough and foul-mouthed girl from a biker gang. It's the kind of rollicking rebel-chick flick that should score well in venues that appreciate Quentin Tarantino films.
In fact, stylistically Kamikaze outdoes Tarantino at his own flamboyant game. Director Nakashima Tetsuya, making his feature film debut after an award-winning career in commercials, is fearless with cinematic tricks. He jumps the narrative back and forth in time, employs numerous freeze frames and animation sequences, has characters talk directly to the camera and compiles a soundtrack that is schizophrenically mishmash.
In short, the premise of Kamikaze might be similar to a younger and kitschy "Thelma & Louise," but it is never less than appealingly surreal.
Japanese idol Fukada Kyoko is the bonnet-wearing Momoko, a high-schooler with a bad case of small-town ennui. Her ineffectual yakuza-wannabe dad sells fake designer goods, while Mom flew the coop years earlier to enter the beauty pageant circuit. Momoko's only escape is to imagine herself among the aristocrats of 18th century French nobility.
While selling her dad's counterfeit Versach merchandise online, she meets Ichiko (Anna Tsuchiya), a biker chick whose look is very different from Momoko. Unlike the typical Harley leather mama, Ichiko looks more like Shirley Manson -- red lipstick and raccoon mascara eyes -- with a samurai robe. Despite their fashion differences, deep down the two are equally lonely and alienated misfits. As the two outcasts bond, they go to Harajuku, look for a mythical queen of the girl biker gangs and delve into some personal soul searching.
Not just another rebellious teen tale, Kamikaze also is wildly ironic fun. However, it is less a comedy than a full-on live-action manga, which is not surprising given that the story is based on an animated novella. Tetsuya captures the book's sly yet brash commentary about Japanese society and its ever-conspicuous obsessions. At the same time, it also is a touching tale of friendship that is, like Ichiko, too cool to let its street-wise facade drop for even one sentimental minute.
Appropriately outlandish in parts but with a heart as golden as the cinematography's glinting sun, Kamikaze Girls might be kawaii cute, but it rules with its own brand of girl power.
KAMIKAZE GIRLS
Toho Co. (Japan)
TBS Pictures
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Nakashima Tetsuya
Producers: Ishida Yuji, Hirano Takashi, Ogura Satoru
Story: Novala Takemoto
Director of photography: Ato Shoichi
Art director: Kuwashima Towako
Music: Kanno Yoko
Editor: Toyama Chiaki
Cast:
Momoko: Fukada Kyoko
Ichiko: Anna Tsuchiya
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 103 minutes...
Hong Kong International Film Festival
HONG KONG -- When it comes to quirky and eccentric fashion, you can't beat Japan's youth culture. One current trend is the Lolita look, where teenage girls doll themselves up in frilly, Bo-Peep dresses full of embroidered lace and rococo romanticism. The amusing Kamikaze Girls shows what happens when one such delicate flower finds an unlikely ally with a rough and foul-mouthed girl from a biker gang. It's the kind of rollicking rebel-chick flick that should score well in venues that appreciate Quentin Tarantino films.
In fact, stylistically Kamikaze outdoes Tarantino at his own flamboyant game. Director Nakashima Tetsuya, making his feature film debut after an award-winning career in commercials, is fearless with cinematic tricks. He jumps the narrative back and forth in time, employs numerous freeze frames and animation sequences, has characters talk directly to the camera and compiles a soundtrack that is schizophrenically mishmash.
In short, the premise of Kamikaze might be similar to a younger and kitschy "Thelma & Louise," but it is never less than appealingly surreal.
Japanese idol Fukada Kyoko is the bonnet-wearing Momoko, a high-schooler with a bad case of small-town ennui. Her ineffectual yakuza-wannabe dad sells fake designer goods, while Mom flew the coop years earlier to enter the beauty pageant circuit. Momoko's only escape is to imagine herself among the aristocrats of 18th century French nobility.
While selling her dad's counterfeit Versach merchandise online, she meets Ichiko (Anna Tsuchiya), a biker chick whose look is very different from Momoko. Unlike the typical Harley leather mama, Ichiko looks more like Shirley Manson -- red lipstick and raccoon mascara eyes -- with a samurai robe. Despite their fashion differences, deep down the two are equally lonely and alienated misfits. As the two outcasts bond, they go to Harajuku, look for a mythical queen of the girl biker gangs and delve into some personal soul searching.
Not just another rebellious teen tale, Kamikaze also is wildly ironic fun. However, it is less a comedy than a full-on live-action manga, which is not surprising given that the story is based on an animated novella. Tetsuya captures the book's sly yet brash commentary about Japanese society and its ever-conspicuous obsessions. At the same time, it also is a touching tale of friendship that is, like Ichiko, too cool to let its street-wise facade drop for even one sentimental minute.
Appropriately outlandish in parts but with a heart as golden as the cinematography's glinting sun, Kamikaze Girls might be kawaii cute, but it rules with its own brand of girl power.
KAMIKAZE GIRLS
Toho Co. (Japan)
TBS Pictures
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Nakashima Tetsuya
Producers: Ishida Yuji, Hirano Takashi, Ogura Satoru
Story: Novala Takemoto
Director of photography: Ato Shoichi
Art director: Kuwashima Towako
Music: Kanno Yoko
Editor: Toyama Chiaki
Cast:
Momoko: Fukada Kyoko
Ichiko: Anna Tsuchiya
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 103 minutes...
- 4/20/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Screened
Hong Kong International Film Festival
HONG KONG -- When it comes to quirky and eccentric fashion, you can't beat Japan's youth culture. One current trend is the Lolita look, where teenage girls doll themselves up in frilly, Bo-Peep dresses full of embroidered lace and rococo romanticism. The amusing "Kamikaze Girls" shows what happens when one such delicate flower finds an unlikely ally with a rough and foul-mouthed girl from a biker gang. It's the kind of rollicking rebel-chick flick that should score well in venues that appreciate Quentin Tarantino films.
In fact, stylistically "Kamikaze" outdoes Tarantino at his own flamboyant game. Director Nakashima Tetsuya, making his feature film debut after an award-winning career in commercials, is fearless with cinematic tricks. He jumps the narrative back and forth in time, employs numerous freeze frames and animation sequences, has characters talk directly to the camera and compiles a soundtrack that is schizophrenically mishmash.
In short, the premise of "Kamikaze" might be similar to a younger and kitschy "Thelma & Louise," but it is never less than appealingly surreal.
Japanese idol Fukada Kyoko is the bonnet-wearing Momoko, a high-schooler with a bad case of small-town ennui. Her ineffectual yakuza-wannabe dad sells fake designer goods, while Mom flew the coop years earlier to enter the beauty pageant circuit. Momoko's only escape is to imagine herself among the aristocrats of 18th century French nobility.
While selling her dad's counterfeit "Versach" merchandise online, she meets Ichiko (Anna Tsuchiya), a biker chick whose look is very different from Momoko. Unlike the typical Harley leather mama, Ichiko looks more like Shirley Manson -- red lipstick and raccoon mascara eyes -- with a samurai robe. Despite their fashion differences, deep down the two are equally lonely and alienated misfits. As the two outcasts bond, they go to Harajuku, look for a mythical queen of the girl biker gangs and delve into some personal soul searching.
Not just another rebellious teen tale, "Kamikaze" also is wildly ironic fun. However, it is less a comedy than a full-on live-action manga, which is not surprising given that the story is based on an animated novella. Tetsuya captures the book's sly yet brash commentary about Japanese society and its ever-conspicuous obsessions. At the same time, it also is a touching tale of friendship that is, like Ichiko, too cool to let its street-wise facade drop for even one sentimental minute.
Appropriately outlandish in parts but with a heart as golden as the cinematography's glinting sun, "Kamikaze Girls" might be kawaii cute, but it rules with its own brand of girl power.
KAMIKAZE GIRLS
Toho Co. (Japan)
TBS Pictures
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Nakashima Tetsuya
Producers: Ishida Yuji, Hirano Takashi, Ogura Satoru
Story: Novala Takemoto
Director of photography: Ato Shoichi
Art director: Kuwashima Towako
Music: Kanno Yoko
Editor: Toyama Chiaki
Cast:
Momoko: Fukada Kyoko
Ichiko: Anna Tsuchiya
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 103 minutes...
Hong Kong International Film Festival
HONG KONG -- When it comes to quirky and eccentric fashion, you can't beat Japan's youth culture. One current trend is the Lolita look, where teenage girls doll themselves up in frilly, Bo-Peep dresses full of embroidered lace and rococo romanticism. The amusing "Kamikaze Girls" shows what happens when one such delicate flower finds an unlikely ally with a rough and foul-mouthed girl from a biker gang. It's the kind of rollicking rebel-chick flick that should score well in venues that appreciate Quentin Tarantino films.
In fact, stylistically "Kamikaze" outdoes Tarantino at his own flamboyant game. Director Nakashima Tetsuya, making his feature film debut after an award-winning career in commercials, is fearless with cinematic tricks. He jumps the narrative back and forth in time, employs numerous freeze frames and animation sequences, has characters talk directly to the camera and compiles a soundtrack that is schizophrenically mishmash.
In short, the premise of "Kamikaze" might be similar to a younger and kitschy "Thelma & Louise," but it is never less than appealingly surreal.
Japanese idol Fukada Kyoko is the bonnet-wearing Momoko, a high-schooler with a bad case of small-town ennui. Her ineffectual yakuza-wannabe dad sells fake designer goods, while Mom flew the coop years earlier to enter the beauty pageant circuit. Momoko's only escape is to imagine herself among the aristocrats of 18th century French nobility.
While selling her dad's counterfeit "Versach" merchandise online, she meets Ichiko (Anna Tsuchiya), a biker chick whose look is very different from Momoko. Unlike the typical Harley leather mama, Ichiko looks more like Shirley Manson -- red lipstick and raccoon mascara eyes -- with a samurai robe. Despite their fashion differences, deep down the two are equally lonely and alienated misfits. As the two outcasts bond, they go to Harajuku, look for a mythical queen of the girl biker gangs and delve into some personal soul searching.
Not just another rebellious teen tale, "Kamikaze" also is wildly ironic fun. However, it is less a comedy than a full-on live-action manga, which is not surprising given that the story is based on an animated novella. Tetsuya captures the book's sly yet brash commentary about Japanese society and its ever-conspicuous obsessions. At the same time, it also is a touching tale of friendship that is, like Ichiko, too cool to let its street-wise facade drop for even one sentimental minute.
Appropriately outlandish in parts but with a heart as golden as the cinematography's glinting sun, "Kamikaze Girls" might be kawaii cute, but it rules with its own brand of girl power.
KAMIKAZE GIRLS
Toho Co. (Japan)
TBS Pictures
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Nakashima Tetsuya
Producers: Ishida Yuji, Hirano Takashi, Ogura Satoru
Story: Novala Takemoto
Director of photography: Ato Shoichi
Art director: Kuwashima Towako
Music: Kanno Yoko
Editor: Toyama Chiaki
Cast:
Momoko: Fukada Kyoko
Ichiko: Anna Tsuchiya
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 103 minutes...
- 4/18/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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