New wave of Japanese cult films look overseas

TOKYO (TR) – Japanese arthouse dramas and comedies routinely receive substantial critical acclaim internationally, but slipping under the radar and steadily gathering an overseas following is a new wave of low-budget cult films.

Japan’s domestic market continues to be dominated by films based on well-known comic books or television programs. Targeting foreign coin by exploiting interests in exotic Asia is another option.

One company responsible for the trend is Japan’s oldest studio, Nikkatsu, which last year launched its Sushi Typhoon gore label, whose aim is to assemble Japan’s best ultraviolent helmers.

“In the domestic market now, a collaboration with a television network is almost a necessity,” explains Nikkatsu’s Yoshinori Chiba, who has produced dozens of gangster and action thrillers. “But if you want to make a profit overseas, you have to do something different.” Read more

Kore-eda announces ‘Kuki Ningyo’

TOKYO – Much-lauded director Hirokawa Kore-eda has announced the completion of his new film “Kuki Ningyo” (Air Doll).

The first of Kore-eda’s features to be based on something other than an original script, “Kuki Ningyo” stars Korean actress Bae Doona, who topped the 2004 Nobuhiro Yamashita comedy smash “Linda, Linda, Linda,” and Arata, who also appeared in Kore-eda’s 1999 breakthrough hit “After Life.” Also appearing are Itsuji Itao, Susumu Terajima, and Joe Odagiri.

The film is inspired by a Yoshiie Goda manga about a love doll who feels compassion and other human emotions in the course of her encounters with the human world. Bae plays the blow-up, who meets a clerk (Arata) in a video rental shop. Read more