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<P>Interesting that this should come up now because I've just done an interview with John Williams to be put up on Midnight Eye within the next few weeks.</P>
<P>FIREFLY DREAMS is a very interesting film indeed, not least because if I didn't know already, I'd have never guessed it was made by an Englishman - thematically and stylistically there's nothing to suggest its not an entirely Japanese production. This sort of cross-cultural synergy between Europe and Asia is quite rare, especially given the insularity of both the countries involved (Britain and Japan). I think this may well be a groundbreaking case of an independent production mounted in Japan by a foreigner. Any other examples? </P>
<P>As for the film itself, I thought that the premise of a cross-generational friendship between a 17 year old girl and 85 year old woman was a very interesting premise, and the film is well made too, though dramatically perhaps a little slight. On balance though, well worth seeing.</P>
<P>I would be very interested to hear how this picture is being received by the critics and public in Japan at the moment, and what sort of distribution it's getting. Anyone else on the list seen it?</P>
<P>Jasper Sharp</P></FONT></FONT>Midnight Eye - japan_cult_cinema </DIV>
<P><A href="http://www.midnighteye.com">www.midnighteye.com</A> </P>
<P> </P>
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<DIV></DIV>>From: "David White" <DAVENKAZ@SYD.ODN.NE.JP>
<DIV></DIV>>Reply-To: KineJapan@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu
<DIV></DIV>>To: "kinejapan" <KINEJAPAN@LISTS.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU>
<DIV></DIV>>Subject: firefly dreams
<DIV></DIV>>Date: Sun, 26 Aug 2001 23:50:39 +0900
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Dear All
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Just to say that a Japanese film called 'Firefly Dreams' (Japanese: 'Ichiban
<DIV></DIV>>utsukushi natsu') has opened in Japan. The reason that I mention it is that
<DIV></DIV>>it is directed by a Japan-resident Englishman (I think this is a first),
<DIV></DIV>>John Williams, and was shown at Karlovy-Vary IFF in July this year, where it
<DIV></DIV>>was highly praised. I've seen it, & it's very well made-look out for it in
<DIV></DIV>>the near future.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>David White, Nagoya
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