Fwd: New Cinema from Japan at the Berlinale 2000

[Abe' Mark Nornes]

> Tokyo, January 25, 2000
>
> NEW CINEMA FROM JAPAN AT THE BERLINALE
>
> New Cinema from Japan is proud to introduce a strong and diverse lineup
> of 26 new films in the Berlin Market this year, including 7 among the 14
> Japanese films making their international premiere in Official
> Selection.
>
> *****In Official Selection*****
>
> As tribute to the Japanese cinema master,
> DORA-HEITA by Ichikawa Kon
> will be premiered.
>
> Written by four of Japan's most renowned filmmakers of the classic
> era-Kurosawa Akira, Kinoshita Keisuke, Ichikawa Kon, Kobayashi
> Masaki-and starring Yakusho Koji (The Eel, Charisma), the film is
> gleeful cops-vs-mafia entertainment set in the samurai period.
>
> In Panorama,
> Village of Dreams director Higashi Yoichi is back with
> THE CROSSING <Boku no ojisan>.
>
> Silver Bear winner Higashi concludes his "river and boy" trilogy with
> the story of a 14-year-old boy on probation for armed robbery and his
> 29-year-old uncle who lives far away in Tokyo. Both are at a loss, each
> faced with their crises, as nature and the supernatural look on.
>
> In Forum,
> NABBIE'S LOVE <Nabbie no koi>
> by Okinawa's adopted son Nakae Yuji (Pineapple Tours).
>
> Grandma Nabbie's long-lost lover returns to the island after 60 years in
> exile. Song, dance, laughs, and of course tears, all the way down, as
> passions rekindle. An Okinawan musical playing wildly with Irish fiddle,
> Italian opera, and starring top singers from the islands.
>
> In Forum,
> THE NEW GOD <Atarashii kamisama>
> by Tsuchiya Yutaka.
>
> A real-life collaboration between an ultra-nationalist punk band and a
> left-wing filmmaker who opposes the Emperor system. Punk singer Karin,
> clad in a mini-skirt, goes to North Korea and meets Japanese Red Army
> hijackers. An actual look at the shifting values among young Japanese
> today.
>
> In Forum,
> THE WHITE <Shiro, the white>
> by Hirano Katsuyuki.
>
> Porn director Hirano embarks on a solo filming expedition bicycling to
> the northernmost point of Japan in the biggest blizzard in years. He
> films himself as he travels through mountains, over icy roads, sleeping
> in a tent 20 below zero. This is not an adventure film. This is a filmic
> adventure!
>
> In Forum,
> MONDAY
> by SABU
>
> Newest adrenaline action comedy from the director of DANGAN Runner and
> Unlucky Monkey. A timid salaryman finds himself brandishing a machine
> gun and preaching love to a police SWAT unit. SABU returns with his
> straight-faced comic acting team of ordinary wimps and bullying
> gangsters.
>
> TRUTHS: A STREAM
> by Tsuchihashi Masahiro
> In the deep mountains, a young couple builds a huge monument as their
> gravestone. Stunning cinematography follows their thoughts and actions
> over the seasons. Phenomenal first feature of 180 minutes, finished
> after four years in the making.
>
> *****Market Screenings*****
>
> EKIBEN-Box Lunch
> by Kaji Shungo
> A mock documentary about a porn director and his star, about tears and
> semen in the making. Premiering at NAT Film Festival in Copenhagen next
> month.
>
> HIMITSU
> by Takita Yojiro
> A warm tragicomedy about an accidental "switch of bodies" between a
> mother and her teenage daughter. Starring top idol Hirosue Ryoko
> (Poppoya / Railroad Man).
>
> I. K. U.
> by Shu Lea Cheang
> Cutting-edge film of the post Blade Runner era, a Japanese sci-fi porn
> set in the year 20XX, by media artist and activist Shu Lea Cheang (Fresh
> Kill). Dialogue in English. World premiere at Sundance.
>
> KINO
> by Sato Masahiko
> Leading CM creator debuts with an omnibus film of six poetic
> light-hearted shorts, set in Romania. With a "transparent" sensitivity
> and universal appeal.
>
> KISS ME SO LONG I CAN'T BREATHE
> by Kim Taegwan
> A Korean girl, a Bolivian man, a Japanese gangster. A new type of
> pan-Asian movie, cool and stylish. International premiere at Rotterdam.
>
> *****On Video at Our Booth*****
>
> Features
> AUDITION  by Miike Takashi
> COLORFUL  by Nakahara Shun
> HISAI - THE HIDDEN CEREMONY  by Shinjo Taku
> HYSTERIC  by Zeze Takahisa
> I AM AN SM WRITER  by Hiroki Ryuichi
> STOP MOTION  by Suno Toshiyuki
> WILD ZERO  by Takeuchi Tetsuro
>
> Animation
> A. LI. CE.  by Maejima Kenichi
> NEKOJIRU THEATRE  by Nekojiru
>
> Documentaries
> DANCE OF REQUIEM  by Gilyak Amagasaki
> MANZAIRAKU  by Nomura Mannojo
> WHERE IS GRANDMA ZHENG'S HOMELAND?  by Ban Zhong-yi
>
> *****In Production*****
> MILLENNIUM ACTRESS  an animation by Kon Satoshi
> UNCHAIN  a documentary by Toyoda Toshiaki
>
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> New Cinema From Japan 2000
> 8F, 2-19-18 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002 Japan
> Phone: 81-3-5468-2565
> Fax: 81-3-5468-2566
> E-mail: newcinejp at aol.com
>
> Market Stand in Berlin: L-M 28-29
> Phone: 49-30-2594-3354
> Fax: 49-30-2594-3355
> In Berlin this year: Nishimura Takashi, Aihara Hiromi, Fujioka Asako,
> Hamba Naho, Kubota Yuri, Nanao Ritsuko, and other familiar faces.
>