by Cláudio Alves
We Are Little Zombies
A with last year, I'm merging two of my dearest personal obsessions, costume design and the madness of list-making, for year's end. From colorful comic book inspired styles to detailed period fashions, 2020 was rich with interesting sartorial choices in both film and TV. To celebrate, here are some of the best-dressed characters from fiction and real-life. Even if this has been an annus horribilis like no other, there's still plenty to admire from the world of entertainment. Because it's 2020, there are 20 entries. One may think there would be a dearth of options to fill so many positions, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, here are some that didn't quite make the cut before we that list of 20...
We Are Little Zombies
A with last year, I'm merging two of my dearest personal obsessions, costume design and the madness of list-making, for year's end. From colorful comic book inspired styles to detailed period fashions, 2020 was rich with interesting sartorial choices in both film and TV. To celebrate, here are some of the best-dressed characters from fiction and real-life. Even if this has been an annus horribilis like no other, there's still plenty to admire from the world of entertainment. Because it's 2020, there are 20 entries. One may think there would be a dearth of options to fill so many positions, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, here are some that didn't quite make the cut before we that list of 20...
- 12/26/2020
- by Cláudio Alves
- FilmExperience
When you hear what We Are Little Zombies is about, the concept that it could have more than a little bit of influence from the world of video-games may come as a shock. After all, the story of a quartet of kids bonding over the mutual loss of their parents is hardly something that suggests 8-bit fun. However, it’s a credit to writer/director Makoto Nagahisa that it somehow just makes sense. Now, this may not be for everyone, but if the unusual marriage of content and style, filtered through a singular tone, works for you, this is going to really float your boat. The film is a mix of drama and dramedy elements, telling the story of four children going through something both terrible and also fairly stirring. Hikari (Keita Ninomiya), Ikuko (Sena Nakajima), Ishi (Satoshi Mizuno), and Takemura (Mondo Okumura) first meet, they’ve each just become orphans.
- 7/10/2020
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
The first words of Nagahisa Makoto’s “We Are Little Zombies” are spoken by a deadpan and disembodied 13-year-old Game Boy addict named Hikari (Ninomiya Keita) as he watches his parents waft out the smokestack of a Tokyo crematorium. “Today, Mommy turned to dust. So did Daddy. Dusty as parmesan on a plate of Bolognese.” A gleaming wad of spaghetti appears over the giant chimney as if Photoshopped into the sky. Hikari lost both members of his small family a few days earlier when they were killed in a bus crash during the “worst-named package tour of all time: Destination Happiness!” The short-sighted tween — whose emotionless vibe falls somewhere between Detective Conan and a serial killer — isn’t impressed by the irony that left him an orphan. “Reality is too stupid to cry over,” he says. “And that’s that.”
But that, it turns out, is not that. Not by a long shot.
But that, it turns out, is not that. Not by a long shot.
- 7/8/2020
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
13 Stages of Grief: Nagahisa’s Game-Changing Debut
Makoto Nagahisa’s We Are Little Zombies is a pure and delightful work of art. Crafted with love and creative abandon—stylized like a Jrpg for the Nes (the closest that audiences may get to a “Mother” film adaptation)—the 13 levels of this bizarre, hysterical, tragic and imaginative game-film will take you through a full range of emotions. Video game culture has never been so creatively or effectively used onscreen: far beyond mere imitation, We Are Little Zombies is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Playing off archetypes like the ‘Continue Screen’ and ‘End-of-Level Boss’ for emotional payoff, this uproarious odyssey exists somewhere between post-modern Indies and French New Wave films.…...
Makoto Nagahisa’s We Are Little Zombies is a pure and delightful work of art. Crafted with love and creative abandon—stylized like a Jrpg for the Nes (the closest that audiences may get to a “Mother” film adaptation)—the 13 levels of this bizarre, hysterical, tragic and imaginative game-film will take you through a full range of emotions. Video game culture has never been so creatively or effectively used onscreen: far beyond mere imitation, We Are Little Zombies is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Playing off archetypes like the ‘Continue Screen’ and ‘End-of-Level Boss’ for emotional payoff, this uproarious odyssey exists somewhere between post-modern Indies and French New Wave films.…...
- 7/6/2020
- by Dylan Kai Dempsey
- IONCINEMA.com
Winner of the Audience Award at the Skip City Film Festival 2019 and debut film of Sho Suzuki and Takashi Haga, “Me & My Brother’s Mistress” comes up with an unusual outline about female companionship and the questionable tradition of marriage.
“Me & My Brother’s Mistress” is screening at Nippon Connection 2020
High schooler Yoko (Nanami Kasamatsu) and her brother Kenji (Satoshi Iwago) live together since their parents died nine years before. One night, Yoko sees Kenji, who is engaged and about to get married, with another girl named Mija (Yui Murata) out on a date. She decides to confront the mistress, but her intentions shift as she gets to know her better. Mija and Yoko become conspirators, planning to stop Kenji’s marriage.
Former Cinematographer Takashi Haga worked as an assistant on Masayuki Suo’s musical “Lady Maiko” (2014) and shot several movies such as “Mori, the Artist’s Habitat” (2018) and Marina Tsukada...
“Me & My Brother’s Mistress” is screening at Nippon Connection 2020
High schooler Yoko (Nanami Kasamatsu) and her brother Kenji (Satoshi Iwago) live together since their parents died nine years before. One night, Yoko sees Kenji, who is engaged and about to get married, with another girl named Mija (Yui Murata) out on a date. She decides to confront the mistress, but her intentions shift as she gets to know her better. Mija and Yoko become conspirators, planning to stop Kenji’s marriage.
Former Cinematographer Takashi Haga worked as an assistant on Masayuki Suo’s musical “Lady Maiko” (2014) and shot several movies such as “Mori, the Artist’s Habitat” (2018) and Marina Tsukada...
- 6/15/2020
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
Good news for everyone who enjoys "pop-culture obsessed cinema": We Are Little Zombies now has a confirmed theatrical release date, in both virtual cinemas and live cinemas. (For the undead? How appropriate.) Our own J Hurtado reviewed the film out of its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival last year, describing it as "charming." Here's more about the film, in the official synopsis: "When four young orphans -- Hikari, Ikuko, Ishi, and Takemura -- first meet, their parents' bodies are being turned into dust, like fine Parmesan atop a plate of spaghetti Bolognese, and yet none of them can shed a tear. They are like zombies; devoid of all emotion. "With no family, no future, no dreams, and no way to move forward, the young...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 6/11/2020
- Screen Anarchy
One of the notable films just about to announce its theatrical release plans before Covid-19 arrived was We Are Little Zombies, a Sundance hit last year where it picked up the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award. Directed by Makoto Nagahisa, the kinetic debut feature follows four orphans who band together to make music to heal. Ahead of a release later in 2020 from Oscilloscope Laboratories, the first trailer has landed.
Dan Mecca said in our Sundance review, “The sheer amount of style that writer/director Makoto Nagahisa shows off in We Are Little Zombies is impressive. Aesthetically, there is a lot going on here. Four children–Hikari, Ikuko, Ishi, and Takemura–meet and befriend each other in the days after they’ve all been orphaned. In their grief and confusion, they form a rock band. They call themselves “Little Zombies” in reference to their collective inability to show much sadness given the circumstance.
Dan Mecca said in our Sundance review, “The sheer amount of style that writer/director Makoto Nagahisa shows off in We Are Little Zombies is impressive. Aesthetically, there is a lot going on here. Four children–Hikari, Ikuko, Ishi, and Takemura–meet and befriend each other in the days after they’ve all been orphaned. In their grief and confusion, they form a rock band. They call themselves “Little Zombies” in reference to their collective inability to show much sadness given the circumstance.
- 5/4/2020
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
If you thought Edgar Wright captured a video game sensibility in his movie adaptation of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, just wait until you get a load of We Are Little Zombies, the debut feature film from director Makoto Nagahisa. This movie, which centers on a group of teenaged orphans who form a band, incorporates live-action, […]
The post ‘We Are Little Zombies’ Trailer: Orphans Start a Band, But This Film’s Frenetic Style is Its Big Draw appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘We Are Little Zombies’ Trailer: Orphans Start a Band, But This Film’s Frenetic Style is Its Big Draw appeared first on /Film.
- 4/24/2020
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
"A charming piece of pop-culture obsessed cinema," according to our own J Hurtado, We Are Little Zombies burst out of the Sundance Film Festival last year and is now heading to theaters from Oscilloscope Laboratories. To celebrate, we have a new debut trailer, new poster, and -- hold on to your britches -- an all new digital coloring book! Based on its title alone, you could probably guess what the movie is about, but you, like me, would probably be wrong. This is why we always like to quote the filmmakers or their representatives, so here's the official synopsis: "When four young orphans -- Hikari, Ikuko, Ishi, and Takemura -- first meet, their parents' bodies are being turned into dust, like fine Parmesan atop a...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 4/23/2020
- Screen Anarchy
"We're zombies. We're dead. We're dying. But we're alive. I don't know which... So we might as well do what we want." Oscilloscope Labs has debuted an official Us trailer for a funky fun Japanese experimental indie drama titled We Are Little Zombies, a very dark comedy rock musical one-of-a-kind film. This first premiered at the Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals last year, and will be getting a Us release later in the year. The film is about four kids whose parents have all died, and they come together to form a rock band. "Tragedy, comedy, music, social criticism, and teenage angst are all subsumed in this eccentric cinematic tsunami." Starring Keita Ninomiya, Satoshi Mizuno, Mondo Okumura, and Sena Nakajima as the four main kids. This kind of became an under-the-radar hit on the festival circuit last year, and it's getting a proper release sometime this year - keep an eye out for it soon.
- 4/23/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
There’s not much we can say about “We Are Little Zombies” that can appropriately describe the craziness you’re about to witness. Thankfully, Oscilloscope has created a trailer for the new film that definitely does its best to convey the message for us.
In its most basic description, “We Are Little Zombies” tells the story of four orphaned kids that bounce back after the death of their parents to form a band that becomes a bit hit in Japan.
Continue reading ‘We Are Little Zombies’ Trailer: A Wild, 8-Bit Film About Orphans-Turned-Rock Stars at The Playlist.
In its most basic description, “We Are Little Zombies” tells the story of four orphaned kids that bounce back after the death of their parents to form a band that becomes a bit hit in Japan.
Continue reading ‘We Are Little Zombies’ Trailer: A Wild, 8-Bit Film About Orphans-Turned-Rock Stars at The Playlist.
- 4/23/2020
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
If its new trailer is any indication, “We Are Little Zombies” will almost certainly be remembered as one of 2020’s most wildly energetic and eclectic films. It’s a psychedelic romp about adolescent nihilism and coping with the loss of family members infused with colorful retro video game aesthetics and a gleeful tone of punky anarchism. Also, those titular zombies are metaphorical.
Per the Japanese-language film’s synopsis: “When four young orphans — Hikari, Ikuko, Ishi, and Takemura — first meet, their parents’ bodies are being turned into dust, like fine Parmesan atop a plate of spaghetti Bolognese, and yet none of them can shed a tear. They are like zombies; devoid of all emotion. With no family, no future, no dreams, and no way to move forward, the young teens decide that the first level of this new existence involves salvaging a gaming console, an old electric bass, and a charred...
Per the Japanese-language film’s synopsis: “When four young orphans — Hikari, Ikuko, Ishi, and Takemura — first meet, their parents’ bodies are being turned into dust, like fine Parmesan atop a plate of spaghetti Bolognese, and yet none of them can shed a tear. They are like zombies; devoid of all emotion. With no family, no future, no dreams, and no way to move forward, the young teens decide that the first level of this new existence involves salvaging a gaming console, an old electric bass, and a charred...
- 4/23/2020
- by Tyler Hersko
- Indiewire
Asian cinema has been long mostly watched by true connoisseurs in the west – people who are never too shy to appreciate a good movie and take it on their own merits. And so, Asian cinema has been gaining a lot of traction. There have been quite a few hits throughout the years, including Ip Man, and most recently Parasite. But just like roulette, some movies have made it and others have flopped. Roulette77.us teaches us that understanding a game of roulette is not in fact that convoluted. Nevertheless, Asian movie makers have decided not to rely on luck for the success of their future productions.
As a result, you will get a whole lot of great productions today. In fact, 2019 was definitely one of the strongest years for Asian cinema and 2020 – with its own set of challenges – promises to be no less exciting. Be that as it may, good...
As a result, you will get a whole lot of great productions today. In fact, 2019 was definitely one of the strongest years for Asian cinema and 2020 – with its own set of challenges – promises to be no less exciting. Be that as it may, good...
- 3/13/2020
- by AMP Training
- AsianMoviePulse
Exclusive: Oscilloscope Laboratories has partnered with Anita Gou’s Kindred Spirit to acquire the North American rights to the 8-bit inspired We Are Little Zombies. The Japanese-language film, which won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Originality at Sundance in 2019, marks Makoto Nagahisa’s debut feature. Oscilloscope and Kindred Spirit will release the pic later this year.
The film follows four young orphans named Hikari, Ikuko, Ishi, and Takemura. When they first meet, their parents’ bodies are being turned into dust, yet none of them can shed a tear. They are like zombies; devoid of all emotion. With no family, no future, no dreams, and no way to move forward, the young teens decide that the first level of this new existence involves salvaging a gaming console, an old electric bass, and a charred wok from their former homes — just enough to start a band and then conquer the world.
The film follows four young orphans named Hikari, Ikuko, Ishi, and Takemura. When they first meet, their parents’ bodies are being turned into dust, yet none of them can shed a tear. They are like zombies; devoid of all emotion. With no family, no future, no dreams, and no way to move forward, the young teens decide that the first level of this new existence involves salvaging a gaming console, an old electric bass, and a charred wok from their former homes — just enough to start a band and then conquer the world.
- 1/15/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
29 of the contributors of Asian Movie Pulse have voted the 25 Best Films of 2019, resulting in what we consider a great selection, both regarding the order and the overall diversity, since the list includes films from Japan, S. Korea, China, Taiwan, Georgia, The Philippines, Laos, Mongolia, Tibet, and India, while the genres include everything from extreme violence and mainstream films to art-house, documentaries, animation and even a short.
Without further ado, here are the best films of 2019, in reverse order. Some films may have premiered in 2018, but since they mostly circulated in 2019, we decided to include them.
25. A Snowflake Into The Night
The stop motion animation renders the narrative effectively and the effort that has gone into this short is evident. The voices of Yukitomo Tochino and Yoko Yuki make the experience very livid. The animation runs within a square with rounded edges resembling a mobile app and I wonder whether...
Without further ado, here are the best films of 2019, in reverse order. Some films may have premiered in 2018, but since they mostly circulated in 2019, we decided to include them.
25. A Snowflake Into The Night
The stop motion animation renders the narrative effectively and the effort that has gone into this short is evident. The voices of Yukitomo Tochino and Yoko Yuki make the experience very livid. The animation runs within a square with rounded edges resembling a mobile app and I wonder whether...
- 1/1/2020
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
Nominations for the 9th annual Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) Awards were unveiled in Sydney on Oct. 23, with Jennifer Kent‘s “The Nightingale” sweeping the film nominations with 15 nominations. The period thriller follow-up to Kent’s horror directorial debut “The Babadook” was followed closely by Anthony Maras‘ true story thriller “Hotel Mumbai” and Oscar nominee David Michod‘s Netflix period picture “The King,” with 13 bids apiece. On the TV side, gothic period drama “Lambs of God” shattered Aacta records with 14 nominations across TV categories, with an additional four subscription television award nominations. Winners will be revealed at a luncheon on Dec. 2 and a ceremony two days later.
Other nominees this year include Timothee Chalamet (“The King”), Dev Patel (“Hotel Mumbai”), Ben Mendelsohn (“The King”), Hilary Swank (“I Am Mother”), Ann Dowd (“Lambs of God”), Rachel Griffiths (“Total Control”) and Jacki Weaver (“Bloom”). Previous Aacta Award winner Damon Herriman...
Other nominees this year include Timothee Chalamet (“The King”), Dev Patel (“Hotel Mumbai”), Ben Mendelsohn (“The King”), Hilary Swank (“I Am Mother”), Ann Dowd (“Lambs of God”), Rachel Griffiths (“Total Control”) and Jacki Weaver (“Bloom”). Previous Aacta Award winner Damon Herriman...
- 10/23/2019
- by Rob Licuria
- Gold Derby
The 2019 nominees for the Best Asian Film award, presented by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta), have been revealed, with nine titles up for the prize including Bong Joon-Ho’s Cannes winner Parasite.
Also on the list are three Indian features: Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, which is India’s submission to the 2020 International Feature Film Oscar race, Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s Super Deluxe, and Sriram Raghavan’s Andhadhun.
Joining them are three nominees from China: Jiao Zi’s Ne Zha, the country’s Oscar entry this year, Zhang Yimou’s Shadow, and Frant Gwo’s The Wandering Earth.
Completing the list are Cathy Garcia-Molina’s Hello Love Goodbye (Philippines) and Makoto Nagahisa’s We Are Little Zombies (Japan).
Parasite scooped Cannes’ Palme d’Or back in May and has been causing box office waves around the globe, grossing more than $100m to date, including $70m in its...
Also on the list are three Indian features: Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, which is India’s submission to the 2020 International Feature Film Oscar race, Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s Super Deluxe, and Sriram Raghavan’s Andhadhun.
Joining them are three nominees from China: Jiao Zi’s Ne Zha, the country’s Oscar entry this year, Zhang Yimou’s Shadow, and Frant Gwo’s The Wandering Earth.
Completing the list are Cathy Garcia-Molina’s Hello Love Goodbye (Philippines) and Makoto Nagahisa’s We Are Little Zombies (Japan).
Parasite scooped Cannes’ Palme d’Or back in May and has been causing box office waves around the globe, grossing more than $100m to date, including $70m in its...
- 10/15/2019
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Three Indian and three mainland Chinese films are among the nine feature movies shortlisted for the Best Asian Film Award by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts.
The Indian selections are box office hit “Andhadhun,” “Super Deluxe, and “Gully Boy,” which premiered in February at the Berlin festival. The Chinese trio includes “Shadow,” sci-fi hit “The Wandering Earth,” and “Ne Zha,” an animation sensation that was named as China’s Oscars hopeful.
The other three are: Philippines box office record breaker “Hello Love Goodbye”; Japan’s “We Are Little Zombies,” and “Parasite,” Bong Joon-ho’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner and South Korea’s Oscar contender.
“Over the past year, the global reach of Asian film has continued to grow with an increasing number of high-quality, creative storylines being recognised at international film festivals and at the local and international box office,” said Aacta.
Judging the entries will...
The Indian selections are box office hit “Andhadhun,” “Super Deluxe, and “Gully Boy,” which premiered in February at the Berlin festival. The Chinese trio includes “Shadow,” sci-fi hit “The Wandering Earth,” and “Ne Zha,” an animation sensation that was named as China’s Oscars hopeful.
The other three are: Philippines box office record breaker “Hello Love Goodbye”; Japan’s “We Are Little Zombies,” and “Parasite,” Bong Joon-ho’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner and South Korea’s Oscar contender.
“Over the past year, the global reach of Asian film has continued to grow with an increasing number of high-quality, creative storylines being recognised at international film festivals and at the local and international box office,” said Aacta.
Judging the entries will...
- 10/15/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
‘We Are Little Zombies’.
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) has revealed the nine films that will compete for this year’s Best Asian Film Award.
This is the third year Aacta has presented the award, which forms the foundation for the organisation’s Asia International Engagement Program. The award is designed to honour the finest films of the past year from 19 Asian regions, reflecting the popularity and importance of Asian films in Australia.
The nominees are: Sriram Raghavan’s Andhadhun (India); Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy (India); Cathy Garcia-Molina’s Hello Love Goodbye (Philippines); Jiao Zi’s Ne Zha (China); Bong Joon-Ho’s Palme D’Or winning Parasite (South Korea); Zhang Yimou’s Shadow (China); Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s Super Deluxe (India); Frant Gwo’s The Wandering Earth (China) and Makoto Nagahisa’s We Are Little Zombies (Japan).
The long list of films in competition was reviewed...
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) has revealed the nine films that will compete for this year’s Best Asian Film Award.
This is the third year Aacta has presented the award, which forms the foundation for the organisation’s Asia International Engagement Program. The award is designed to honour the finest films of the past year from 19 Asian regions, reflecting the popularity and importance of Asian films in Australia.
The nominees are: Sriram Raghavan’s Andhadhun (India); Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy (India); Cathy Garcia-Molina’s Hello Love Goodbye (Philippines); Jiao Zi’s Ne Zha (China); Bong Joon-Ho’s Palme D’Or winning Parasite (South Korea); Zhang Yimou’s Shadow (China); Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s Super Deluxe (India); Frant Gwo’s The Wandering Earth (China) and Makoto Nagahisa’s We Are Little Zombies (Japan).
The long list of films in competition was reviewed...
- 10/14/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Bridges Past, Present And Future With Its 2019 Lineup
The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian), Canada’s premier pan-Asian festival, today announced its full 2019 programming lineup which will offer festival goers the opportunity to experience the evolution of Asian representation in cinema. First, the Festival will pay tribute to the past with a 100th anniversary screening of the silent film classic The Dragon Painter. Stephen Gong, film historian and Executive Director of the Center for Asian American Media will bring the film to Reel Asian for a special screening, presented with a live performance of a reimagined score by singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura. Then, looking to the future of storytelling in media, the Festival presents East of the Rockies, an augmented reality (Ar) experience written by one of Canada’s most acclaimed and celebrated literary figures, Joy Kogawa. The Reel Asian Film Festival will take place November 7 to 15, 2019. For the full programming lineup and ticket information, visit reelasian.
- 10/10/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Competition to screen 14 titles including the world premieres of Japanese films Tezuka’s Barbara and A Beloved Wife.
Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) has announced the full line-up for its 32nd edition, including the 14 titles selected for its International Competition.
In addition to previously announced Japanese titles Tezuka’s Barbara from Macoto Tezka and Shin Adachi’s A Beloved Wife, the competition will screen five other world premieres including Chinese director Wang Rui’s Chaogtu With Sarula, Food For A Funeral from Turkey’s Reis Celik and Uncle from Danish director Frelle Petersen.
Asia premieres in this section include Jayro...
Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) has announced the full line-up for its 32nd edition, including the 14 titles selected for its International Competition.
In addition to previously announced Japanese titles Tezuka’s Barbara from Macoto Tezka and Shin Adachi’s A Beloved Wife, the competition will screen five other world premieres including Chinese director Wang Rui’s Chaogtu With Sarula, Food For A Funeral from Turkey’s Reis Celik and Uncle from Danish director Frelle Petersen.
Asia premieres in this section include Jayro...
- 9/26/2019
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Camera Japan Festival has just announced this year’s full programme. The festival will be held in Rotterdam (LantarenVenster & Worm) from the 25th to the 29th of September, before moving to Kriterion in Amsterdam (from the 3rd to the 6th of October). Besides offering a rich variety of Japanese films, the festival also includes several cultural and culinary workshops, two photo exhibitions, a Camera Japan quiz and the yearly film brunch.
Film programme Camera Japan
The 14th edition of the Camera Japan Festival will open with the international premiere of “Little Miss Period” by Shinada Shunsuke. Other highlights of the 2019 selection are “Vision”, by the renowned filmmaker Kawase Naomi, “Jam” by Sabu and Melancholic, the prize-winning debut of Tanaka Seiji. The programme also includes a special screening of the classic 1932 silent film “I Was Born But…” by Ozu Yasujiro, which will be accompanied by a Live soundtrack. Anime fans can...
Film programme Camera Japan
The 14th edition of the Camera Japan Festival will open with the international premiere of “Little Miss Period” by Shinada Shunsuke. Other highlights of the 2019 selection are “Vision”, by the renowned filmmaker Kawase Naomi, “Jam” by Sabu and Melancholic, the prize-winning debut of Tanaka Seiji. The programme also includes a special screening of the classic 1932 silent film “I Was Born But…” by Ozu Yasujiro, which will be accompanied by a Live soundtrack. Anime fans can...
- 8/26/2019
- by tyriter
- AsianMoviePulse
Stars: Satoshi Mizuno, Sena Nakajima, Keita Ninomiya, Mondo Okumura | Written and Directed by Makoto Nagahisa
Directed and with a screenplay penned by Makoto Nagahisa, in his feature-film debut as both writer and man-in-the-chair, We Are Little Zombies is a Japanese drama film about four teenage orphans who form a rock band.
There is a lot, and I mean A Lot, going on with the film, and while I didn’t mind that (and in fact enjoyed how crazy it became at times) I think the sheer rapid and packed style of it could irk some viewers. There are slow moments, moments that take their time and build up the story in a less musical way, and these help calm things down, giving us foundations for our leads. It is the ingenious and bloody brilliant way that the film deals with the stages of grief. We’ve seen films deal with the topic before,...
Directed and with a screenplay penned by Makoto Nagahisa, in his feature-film debut as both writer and man-in-the-chair, We Are Little Zombies is a Japanese drama film about four teenage orphans who form a rock band.
There is a lot, and I mean A Lot, going on with the film, and while I didn’t mind that (and in fact enjoyed how crazy it became at times) I think the sheer rapid and packed style of it could irk some viewers. There are slow moments, moments that take their time and build up the story in a less musical way, and these help calm things down, giving us foundations for our leads. It is the ingenious and bloody brilliant way that the film deals with the stages of grief. We’ve seen films deal with the topic before,...
- 7/17/2019
- by Chris Cummings
- Nerdly
With a final wave of programming, the 2019 edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival has now released its full lineup, featuring over 130 incredible features from across the globe.
Fantasia International Film Festival
Montreal, Quebec – July 11 to August 1
In addition, the festival is also very proud to announce a record number of repertory titles, its esteemed 2019 jury, a horror film location bus tour through Montreal, and exciting, one-of-a-kind live events with producer Edward R. Pressman, “First Blood” director Ted Kotcheff, and iconic horror host Joe Bob Briggs.
Japanese horror icon ”Sadako” will open fantasia 2019!
Sadako
Twenty years ago, Fantasia celebrated the North American Premiere of Hideo Nakata’s “Ringu” and its sequel, which led to Dreamworks acquiring the franchise and is largely seen as having been the birth of J-Horror in the West. This Summer, the festival is proud to open its 23rd edition with the series’ latest sequel, “Sadako” (North...
Fantasia International Film Festival
Montreal, Quebec – July 11 to August 1
In addition, the festival is also very proud to announce a record number of repertory titles, its esteemed 2019 jury, a horror film location bus tour through Montreal, and exciting, one-of-a-kind live events with producer Edward R. Pressman, “First Blood” director Ted Kotcheff, and iconic horror host Joe Bob Briggs.
Japanese horror icon ”Sadako” will open fantasia 2019!
Sadako
Twenty years ago, Fantasia celebrated the North American Premiere of Hideo Nakata’s “Ringu” and its sequel, which led to Dreamworks acquiring the franchise and is largely seen as having been the birth of J-Horror in the West. This Summer, the festival is proud to open its 23rd edition with the series’ latest sequel, “Sadako” (North...
- 6/28/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The 2019 edition of the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (07/07 – 07/13/2019) has revealed its full line-up including many Asian titles, some of which have already been presented and reviewed on Asian Movie Pulse.
This year’s program features:
“Fly By Night” by Zahir Omar
“Fly Me To Saitama” by Takeushi Hideki
“The Legend of the Stardust Brothers” by Macoto Tezuka
“The Legend of the Stardust Brothers”
“First Love” by Takashi Miike
“Rise of the Machine Girls” by Kobayashi Yuki
“Reside” by Wisit Sasanatieng
“The Fable” by Kan Eguchi
“The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil” by Lee Woon-tae
“Shadow” by Zhang Yimou
“The Pool” by Ping Lumprapleong
“We Are Little Zombies” by Makoto Nagahisa
“The Pool”
Additionally, the program will feature a screening of many Asian short films. For the full program, please click here.
This year’s program features:
“Fly By Night” by Zahir Omar
“Fly Me To Saitama” by Takeushi Hideki
“The Legend of the Stardust Brothers” by Macoto Tezuka
“The Legend of the Stardust Brothers”
“First Love” by Takashi Miike
“Rise of the Machine Girls” by Kobayashi Yuki
“Reside” by Wisit Sasanatieng
“The Fable” by Kan Eguchi
“The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil” by Lee Woon-tae
“Shadow” by Zhang Yimou
“The Pool” by Ping Lumprapleong
“We Are Little Zombies” by Makoto Nagahisa
“The Pool”
Additionally, the program will feature a screening of many Asian short films. For the full program, please click here.
- 6/23/2019
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
No pulsating, psychedelic, pop-punk phantasmagoria ought to be as moving and smart as “We Are Little Zombies.” But Makoto Nagahisa’s explosively ingenious and energetic debut (imagine it as the spiritual offspring of Richard Lester and a Harajuku Girl) holds the high score for visual and narrative invention, as well as boasting a [insert gigantic-beating-heart Gif] and braaaains, too. The gonzo adventures of four poker-faced Japanese 13-year-olds who bond over their mutual lack of emotion following sudden orphanhood, it reimagines the old “stages of grief” thing as a progression through 13 erratic levels of a video game, complete with mini-games and side quests. And if its manic, 8-bit aesthetic seems hyperactively inappropriate for such a somber scenario — like it does grief wrong — that too, can be interpreted as a generous insight into the mourning process: Who among us, upon being bereaved, has ever believed they’re doing grief right?
Certainly, little Hikari (Keita Ninomiya) does not.
Certainly, little Hikari (Keita Ninomiya) does not.
- 6/21/2019
- by Jessica Kiang
- Variety Film + TV
Chinese sci-fi hit “The Wandering Earth,” China’s Cannes competition film “Wild Goose Lake,” and Korea’s Palme d’Or-winning “Parasite” are among the nominees for the Aacta Award for best Asian film.
The nominees were announced on the margins of the Shanghai International Film Festival. The winners will be announced Dec. 4 at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards ceremony in Sydney.
Other Chinese films in the running include “Pegasus”; Chinese-Hong Kong comedy-drama “The New King of Comedy”; animated fantasy film “White Snake”; Renny Harlin-directed “Bodies at Rest”; “Hidden Man”; Zhang Yimou’s “Shadow”; Hong Kong Film Award-winning action movie “Project Gutenberg”; dark comedy “A Cool Fish”; and mystery drama “Headlines.” Also included is the yet-to-be-released Australia-China co-production “The Whistleblower.”
From elsewhere in Asia, competing tiles include Indian action film “Uri: The Surgical Strike”; India’s foreign-language Oscar contender, “Village Rockstars”; Indian action comedy “The Man...
The nominees were announced on the margins of the Shanghai International Film Festival. The winners will be announced Dec. 4 at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards ceremony in Sydney.
Other Chinese films in the running include “Pegasus”; Chinese-Hong Kong comedy-drama “The New King of Comedy”; animated fantasy film “White Snake”; Renny Harlin-directed “Bodies at Rest”; “Hidden Man”; Zhang Yimou’s “Shadow”; Hong Kong Film Award-winning action movie “Project Gutenberg”; dark comedy “A Cool Fish”; and mystery drama “Headlines.” Also included is the yet-to-be-released Australia-China co-production “The Whistleblower.”
From elsewhere in Asia, competing tiles include Indian action film “Uri: The Surgical Strike”; India’s foreign-language Oscar contender, “Village Rockstars”; Indian action comedy “The Man...
- 6/18/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite’ is among the films in competition for the Aacta Best Asian Film Award.
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) has unveiled some of the films that will compete for a nomination for the 2019 Best Asian Film award.
The selected films were announced at a gala dinner in Shanghai, where Aacta is also hosting an China | Australia film forum and panel discussion as part of its ongoing Asia International Engagement Program.
The Best Asian Film award is designed to honour the finest films of the past year from 19 Asian regions, reflecting the popularity and importance of Asian films in Australia.
Among the Chinese-language films in competition is Australian-Chinese co-production The Whistleblower, which shot in Victoria late last year.
It will go up against the second highest-grossing film of all time in China, Frant Gwo sci-fi The Wandering Earth, as well as three of the...
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) has unveiled some of the films that will compete for a nomination for the 2019 Best Asian Film award.
The selected films were announced at a gala dinner in Shanghai, where Aacta is also hosting an China | Australia film forum and panel discussion as part of its ongoing Asia International Engagement Program.
The Best Asian Film award is designed to honour the finest films of the past year from 19 Asian regions, reflecting the popularity and importance of Asian films in Australia.
Among the Chinese-language films in competition is Australian-Chinese co-production The Whistleblower, which shot in Victoria late last year.
It will go up against the second highest-grossing film of all time in China, Frant Gwo sci-fi The Wandering Earth, as well as three of the...
- 6/17/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
“She is Alone” is the first feature film of Natsuko Nakagawa. The young filmmaker, who studied cinematic arts and contemporary psychology, tells the story of the suicidal girl Sumiko. Her destructive traits and revenge fantasies cause a lot of chaos within the social construct that goes by the name “high school”.
“She is Alone” is screening at Nippon Connection
After losing her mother to suicide, Sumiko tries to kill herself, too. But the attempt fails and she is under the suspicion of her father, friends, and teachers from then on. Everybody feels responsible and Sumiko is surrounded by an overbearing network of people. “She is Alone” reveals the hypocrisy of this network.
The female lead is characterized by apathy. Having come back from the edge of death, Sumiko spends her days aimlessly as she begins to blackmail her classmate Hideaki, who is dating a teacher at school. Akari Fukunaga (“Unten...
“She is Alone” is screening at Nippon Connection
After losing her mother to suicide, Sumiko tries to kill herself, too. But the attempt fails and she is under the suspicion of her father, friends, and teachers from then on. Everybody feels responsible and Sumiko is surrounded by an overbearing network of people. “She is Alone” reveals the hypocrisy of this network.
The female lead is characterized by apathy. Having come back from the edge of death, Sumiko spends her days aimlessly as she begins to blackmail her classmate Hideaki, who is dating a teacher at school. Akari Fukunaga (“Unten...
- 5/30/2019
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
Genre festival will close with Ko Myoungsung’s first narrative feature The 12th Suspect.
Edgar Nito’s debut feature The Gasoline Thieves will open this year’s Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, while Ko Myoungsung’s The 12th Suspect will close the event.
The Gasoline Thieves, which is a co-production between Mexico, Spain, the Us and the UK, won best new narrative director at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Set in central Mexico, it tells the story of an innocent high school student who gets mixed up with a gang of theives who steal gasoline from underground pipes.
The first narrative feature from Ko,...
Edgar Nito’s debut feature The Gasoline Thieves will open this year’s Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, while Ko Myoungsung’s The 12th Suspect will close the event.
The Gasoline Thieves, which is a co-production between Mexico, Spain, the Us and the UK, won best new narrative director at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Set in central Mexico, it tells the story of an innocent high school student who gets mixed up with a gang of theives who steal gasoline from underground pipes.
The first narrative feature from Ko,...
- 5/30/2019
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
‘Little Monsters’.
The Melbourne International Film Festival (Miff) has unveiled the first 29 films on its line-up this year, including the world premiere of Good Thing Productions and Passion Pictures’ The Australian Dream which will open the festival August 1.
The documentary, written by Stan Grant and directed by Brit Daniel Gordon, looks at race, identity and belonging from the perspective of former Sydney Swans captain and Indigenous rights activist Adam Goodes, who in 2013 sparked a national conversation about racism after requesting a 13-year-old Collingwood supporter be removed from the ground after calling him an “ape”.
“The Australian Dream is a compelling kickstart both to our festival this year, and to a national conversation,” said Miff artistic director Al Cossar.
‘The Australian Dream’.
“It’s an accomplished piece of documentary filmmaking that tackles broader questions of who we are as a nation, together, in deeply affecting terms. It’s a film for all Australians,...
The Melbourne International Film Festival (Miff) has unveiled the first 29 films on its line-up this year, including the world premiere of Good Thing Productions and Passion Pictures’ The Australian Dream which will open the festival August 1.
The documentary, written by Stan Grant and directed by Brit Daniel Gordon, looks at race, identity and belonging from the perspective of former Sydney Swans captain and Indigenous rights activist Adam Goodes, who in 2013 sparked a national conversation about racism after requesting a 13-year-old Collingwood supporter be removed from the ground after calling him an “ape”.
“The Australian Dream is a compelling kickstart both to our festival this year, and to a national conversation,” said Miff artistic director Al Cossar.
‘The Australian Dream’.
“It’s an accomplished piece of documentary filmmaking that tackles broader questions of who we are as a nation, together, in deeply affecting terms. It’s a film for all Australians,...
- 5/29/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Since its 19th edition is about to start in just a few days, Nippon Connection has announced its full program along with a lists of various guests – directors and actors/actresses – who will be attending many of screenings along with Q&As after.
Among this year’s program which features films by Sho Miyake (“And Your Bird Can Sing“), Makoto Nagahisa (“We Are Little Zombies“) and Sabu (“jam”), the program features many additional cultural programs from Japanese cooking, art exhibitions and lectures.
Apart from these events, Nippon Docs will present various Japanese documentaries representing the topic “Outlaws and Outsiders – Cinematic insights into the border areas of Japanese society”. The Nippons Docs, which is endowed with € 1000 and sponsored by Nikon, will be awarded to one of the eight films in this year’s competition.
Additionally, as Amp has reported earlier, director Shinya Tsukamoto will be given the Nippon Honor Award and...
Among this year’s program which features films by Sho Miyake (“And Your Bird Can Sing“), Makoto Nagahisa (“We Are Little Zombies“) and Sabu (“jam”), the program features many additional cultural programs from Japanese cooking, art exhibitions and lectures.
Apart from these events, Nippon Docs will present various Japanese documentaries representing the topic “Outlaws and Outsiders – Cinematic insights into the border areas of Japanese society”. The Nippons Docs, which is endowed with € 1000 and sponsored by Nikon, will be awarded to one of the eight films in this year’s competition.
Additionally, as Amp has reported earlier, director Shinya Tsukamoto will be given the Nippon Honor Award and...
- 5/8/2019
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
From May 28 to June 2, 2019 the nineteenth edition of the Nippon Connection Film Festival will take place in Frankfurt am Main. As the biggest festival for Japanese cinema worldwide, it offers an exciting insight into the current state of the Japanese film scene with more than 100 short and feature length films from all genres. Numerous filmmakers and artists from Japan will be present to introduce their works and establish a lively exchange with the German audience. A diverse cultural program including workshops, lectures, and concerts gives visitors the chance to explore the multifaceted culture of Japan. The main venues are at the Künstlerhaus Mousonturm and the Theater Willy Praml in der Naxoshalle.
Still from “And Your Bird Can Sing
Film Highlights
At the Nippon Connection Film Festival, numerous outstanding productions from Japan will be screened, most of them having their German premieres. Shinsuke Sato is considered a specialist for successful manga adaptations.
Still from “And Your Bird Can Sing
Film Highlights
At the Nippon Connection Film Festival, numerous outstanding productions from Japan will be screened, most of them having their German premieres. Shinsuke Sato is considered a specialist for successful manga adaptations.
- 4/2/2019
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
When FilMart was launched 22 years ago, Hong Kong boasted of its historic role as the preeminent gateway between China and the rest of the world. That message has had to be tempered in recent years as multiple other cities have emerged with claims to be hubs, and there is now huge direct trade between suppliers and end users. But Hong Kong’s traditional strengths — a free port, the rule of law, stable currency, low tax and excellent infrastructure — have helped it survive as it weathers commercial change.
Hong Kong’s FilMart has also navigated tumultuous changes on its way to becoming the premier film and TV rights market in Asia.
The emergence of mainland Chinese companies as major buyers, sellers and co-production partners in global film and TV fueled the market’s growth and a measure of stability for many years.
During the 21st century, Chinese theatrical box office has...
Hong Kong’s FilMart has also navigated tumultuous changes on its way to becoming the premier film and TV rights market in Asia.
The emergence of mainland Chinese companies as major buyers, sellers and co-production partners in global film and TV fueled the market’s growth and a measure of stability for many years.
During the 21st century, Chinese theatrical box office has...
- 3/15/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Makoto Nagahisa’s debut feature film “We are little Zombies” is an extraordinary and cynical metaphor about life. Four orphans – Hikari, Tekamura, Ishi, and Ikuko – meet by accident at a crematory, where their parents have just been cremated. No hopes, no dreams, and no sadness. As they team up and form a band by the name “Little Zombies”, the kids try to find their lost emotions.
“We Are Little Zombies” is screening at Berlin Film Festival
“Funerals need more humor”, says Hikari, who opens the prologue of the film. Everything is boring and stupid for him. Always in front of his game boy, he sees the world as a video game. Hikari’s view is projected onto the depiction of the film. 8-bit music and retro game animations drawing through a bright color world, constructed only by the narration of the 13-year olds. A world that is numb. Being raised into this state of mind,...
“We Are Little Zombies” is screening at Berlin Film Festival
“Funerals need more humor”, says Hikari, who opens the prologue of the film. Everything is boring and stupid for him. Always in front of his game boy, he sees the world as a video game. Hikari’s view is projected onto the depiction of the film. 8-bit music and retro game animations drawing through a bright color world, constructed only by the narration of the 13-year olds. A world that is numb. Being raised into this state of mind,...
- 2/9/2019
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
From Japan, perennially a world leader in the art of sensory overload, comes “We Are Little Zombies,” a visually anarchic exploration of the difficulty of expressing emotion within a hyperreal media landscape. The feature film debut of noted music video and commercial director Makoto Nagahisa, “We Are Little Zombies” details four thirteen-year-olds who all lose their parents at the same time and meet at a funeral home. In no time, they bond over their shared scorn for the fuss the adults are making, their shared morbidity regarding the details of their parents’ deaths, and their shared unhappiness in life.
Continue reading Visual Chaos Reigns In The Dazzling ‘We Are Little Zombies’ [Sundance Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading Visual Chaos Reigns In The Dazzling ‘We Are Little Zombies’ [Sundance Review] at The Playlist.
- 2/7/2019
- by Joe Blessing
- The Playlist
In 2001, when Dieter Kosslick took over the Berlinale, it already had a thriving children’s section called the Kinderfilmfest. Recognizing a good thing when he saw it, Kosslick helped grow the sidebar by introducing the 14-plus program and shepherding it into what is now known as Generation.
“We had problems with big companies that didn’t want to give us films,” he says, “because they thought: ‘We don’t want these to be children’s films.’” Instead, “they wanted them to be family entertainment, which [is what] they were.”
Kosslick is being honored with Variety‘s Achievement in International Film Award at Berlin.
But it was also important to show that the Berlinale took kids seriously. Because kids live in a world, “especially in Berlin,” he points out, “where you have all the problems, from crime to immigration.”
So in 2004, Kosslick and the section’s curator, Maryanne Redpath, added “14plus” as part of the existing program.
“We had problems with big companies that didn’t want to give us films,” he says, “because they thought: ‘We don’t want these to be children’s films.’” Instead, “they wanted them to be family entertainment, which [is what] they were.”
Kosslick is being honored with Variety‘s Achievement in International Film Award at Berlin.
But it was also important to show that the Berlinale took kids seriously. Because kids live in a world, “especially in Berlin,” he points out, “where you have all the problems, from crime to immigration.”
So in 2004, Kosslick and the section’s curator, Maryanne Redpath, added “14plus” as part of the existing program.
- 2/4/2019
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Chinonye Chukwu’s “Clemency,” a drama starring Alfre Woodard as a prison warden agonizing over capital punishment, has won the Grand Jury Prize for dramatic films at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, which handed out its awards at a ceremony in Park City on Saturday evening.
Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang’s “One Child Nation” won the Grand Jury Prize for documentaries.
The directing awards in the U.S. dramatic and documentary competitions went to Joe Talbot for “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” and Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert for “American Factory,” respectively.
Also Read: Sundance's Haves and Have Nots: Can Traditional Indie Distributors Still Compete?
The Grand Jury Prizes in the World Cinema Dramatic competition went to Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir,” while in the World Cinema Documentary competition it went to “Honeyland” by Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara Kotevska.
Audience awards went to “Paul Downs Colaizzo’s “Brittany Runs a Marathon...
Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang’s “One Child Nation” won the Grand Jury Prize for documentaries.
The directing awards in the U.S. dramatic and documentary competitions went to Joe Talbot for “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” and Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert for “American Factory,” respectively.
Also Read: Sundance's Haves and Have Nots: Can Traditional Indie Distributors Still Compete?
The Grand Jury Prizes in the World Cinema Dramatic competition went to Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir,” while in the World Cinema Documentary competition it went to “Honeyland” by Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara Kotevska.
Audience awards went to “Paul Downs Colaizzo’s “Brittany Runs a Marathon...
- 2/3/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The 2019 Sundance Film Festival drew to a close this evening with the annual awards ceremony, which was hosted by filmmaker and actress Marianna Palka at the Basin Recreation Fieldhouse in Park City, Utah.
Of the four Grand Jury Prizes given to competition films — the festival’s highest honors — each was directed or co-directed by a female filmmaker, reflecting last year’s Directing winners, who were all women. This year’s Grand Jury Prize winners include Chinonye Chukwu’s “Clemency” (U.S. Dramatic), Nanfu Wang’s “One Child Nation” (U.S. Documentary), Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir” (World Dramatic), and Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov’s “Honeyland” (World Documentary).
Both of the U.S. winners are still without U.S. distribution, so here’s hoping a big win at tonight’s show might loosen up some purse strings for these essential — and now award-winning — features.
At this year’s festival, women...
Of the four Grand Jury Prizes given to competition films — the festival’s highest honors — each was directed or co-directed by a female filmmaker, reflecting last year’s Directing winners, who were all women. This year’s Grand Jury Prize winners include Chinonye Chukwu’s “Clemency” (U.S. Dramatic), Nanfu Wang’s “One Child Nation” (U.S. Documentary), Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir” (World Dramatic), and Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov’s “Honeyland” (World Documentary).
Both of the U.S. winners are still without U.S. distribution, so here’s hoping a big win at tonight’s show might loosen up some purse strings for these essential — and now award-winning — features.
At this year’s festival, women...
- 2/3/2019
- by Kate Erbland and Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
IndieWire’s First-Time Filmmakers Dinner at the Sundance Film Festival, presented by Rimowa, took place on January 28 and introduced a new crop of talent you can expect to see more of in the years to come. “We know that being a first-time filmmaker is something very personal to you, and you’re in the middle of this journey,” IndieWire’s Eric Kohn said at the event. “We get excited to tell the world about it, so we expect to hear more from you down the line. One of the most gratifying things about going to Sundance is coming back and seeing people back here and seeing what you do next.”
Countless filmmakers have gotten their start at the festival, from Quentin Tarantino and Nicole Holofcener to Ryan Coogler and Steven Soderbergh, making it an especially fitting venue for such an occasion.
This year’s dinner began a new tradition in...
Countless filmmakers have gotten their start at the festival, from Quentin Tarantino and Nicole Holofcener to Ryan Coogler and Steven Soderbergh, making it an especially fitting venue for such an occasion.
This year’s dinner began a new tradition in...
- 2/1/2019
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
The sheer amount of style that writer/director Makoto Nagahisa shows off in We Are Little Zombies is impressive. Aesthetically, there is a lot going on here. Four children–Hikari, Ikuko, Ishi, and Takemura–meet and befriend each other in the days after they’ve all been orphaned. In their grief and confusion, they form a rock band. They call themselves “Little Zombies” in reference to their collective inability to show much sadness given the circumstance.
Nagahisa methodically goes through each orphan’s life, examining each of their relationships with their parents (spoiler alert: they weren’t great), their musical instrument of choice, and final moments before each fateful event. The framework to all of this is a series of retro video game motifs, complete with hyper-aware sound design, and abrupt editing choices. It’s all very much of a piece, a compliment to the formal skill if not much else.
Nagahisa methodically goes through each orphan’s life, examining each of their relationships with their parents (spoiler alert: they weren’t great), their musical instrument of choice, and final moments before each fateful event. The framework to all of this is a series of retro video game motifs, complete with hyper-aware sound design, and abrupt editing choices. It’s all very much of a piece, a compliment to the formal skill if not much else.
- 1/30/2019
- by Dan Mecca
- The Film Stage
The first weekend of Sundance 2019 closed with some big name films and stars all across town in Park City. Jake Gyllenhaal’s newest film Velvet Buzzsaw was one of the hottest tickets of the festival, while the crowds buzzed about the Ted Bundy film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Ty and Nathan caught several films and are ready to give you their Take 3 for Sundance Day 4.
Nathan’s Best Thing He Saw Today:
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile was one of my most anticipated films of the festival but my expectations were not high. The dramatization of one of the most monstrous men to ever walk this planet was something that could easily be mishandled and I wasn’t sure if it could be original. I was wrong. I absolutely loved this film. The story structure of being told by Ted Bundy’s longtime girlfriend creates a fresh...
Nathan’s Best Thing He Saw Today:
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile was one of my most anticipated films of the festival but my expectations were not high. The dramatization of one of the most monstrous men to ever walk this planet was something that could easily be mishandled and I wasn’t sure if it could be original. I was wrong. I absolutely loved this film. The story structure of being told by Ted Bundy’s longtime girlfriend creates a fresh...
- 1/29/2019
- by Ty Cooper
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Sometimes, a movie comes along that’s so jarring, so visually explosive, and so utterly madcap that you can’t help but fall in love with it, even if you don’t quite like it. We Are Little Zombies is one of those films. Writer/director/composer Makoto Nagahisa is the mad scientist behind this concoction, which plays out like someone plugged […]
The post ‘We Are Little Zombies’ Review: Pop Video Game Mayhem That’s Hard to Resist [Sundance] appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘We Are Little Zombies’ Review: Pop Video Game Mayhem That’s Hard to Resist [Sundance] appeared first on /Film.
- 1/26/2019
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Starting this week, the 2019 Sundance Film Festival gives us a first glimpse at the year in cinema, but even if you won’t be at Park City, we’re rounding up an initial glimpse at the premieres. After highlighting our 20 most-anticipated films, bookmark this page for a continually-updated round-up of trailers and clips, kicking off with Velvet Buzzsaw, Apollo 11, Mope, We Are Little Zombies, The Hole in the Ground, and more.
Check out the trailers (and clips) below thus far in alphabetical order and we’ll be posting reviews from Park City soon, so follow along here.
Abe (Fernando Grostein Andrade)
Apollo 11 (Todd Douglas Miller)
Ask Dr. Ruth (Ryan White)
Bedlam (Kenneth Paul Rosenberg)
Dirty God (Sacha Polak)
Fighting with My Family (Stephen Merchant)
Gaza (Garry Keane and Andrew McConnell)
The Hole in the Ground (Lee Cronin)
The Last Tree (Shola Amoo)
Maiden (Alex Holmes)
Mope (Lucas Heyne)
Queen...
Check out the trailers (and clips) below thus far in alphabetical order and we’ll be posting reviews from Park City soon, so follow along here.
Abe (Fernando Grostein Andrade)
Apollo 11 (Todd Douglas Miller)
Ask Dr. Ruth (Ryan White)
Bedlam (Kenneth Paul Rosenberg)
Dirty God (Sacha Polak)
Fighting with My Family (Stephen Merchant)
Gaza (Garry Keane and Andrew McConnell)
The Hole in the Ground (Lee Cronin)
The Last Tree (Shola Amoo)
Maiden (Alex Holmes)
Mope (Lucas Heyne)
Queen...
- 1/21/2019
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Comprising a considerable amount of our top 50 films of last year, Sundance Film Festival has proven to yield the first genuine look at what the year in cinema will bring. Now in its 41st iteration, we’ll be heading back to Park City this week, but before we do, it’s time to highlight the films we’re most looking forward to, including documentaries and narrative features from all around the world.
While much of the joy found in the festival comes from surprises throughout the event, below one will find our 20 most-anticipated titles. Check out our picks below and for updates straight from the festival, make sure to follow us on Twitter, and stay tuned to all of our coverage here.
20. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (Joe Berlinger)
From Brother’s Keeper to his Paradise Lost films to Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, documentary extraordinaire Joe Berlinger is...
While much of the joy found in the festival comes from surprises throughout the event, below one will find our 20 most-anticipated titles. Check out our picks below and for updates straight from the festival, make sure to follow us on Twitter, and stay tuned to all of our coverage here.
20. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (Joe Berlinger)
From Brother’s Keeper to his Paradise Lost films to Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, documentary extraordinaire Joe Berlinger is...
- 1/21/2019
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The first films in the Generation section at the 2019 Berlin Film Festival have been unveiled. The 16 movies will play in the Kplus and 14plus competition at the Berlinale, with organizers highlighting the recurring theme of young people looking for meaning in an uncertain world, and the number of female-centric stories that will be told.
“These are brave films from courageous filmmakers, with their fingers on the pulse of the time and an acute feel for the social, cultural and political developments of our present moment,” said section head Maryanne Redpath.
An initial eight films were announced for 14plus, with projects hailing from China, India, South Korea and the U.S. They will all have their European or world premieres in Berlin. The lineup includes “Stupid Young Heart” from Oscar-nominated director Selma Vilhunen and “Goldie” from Sam de Jong, whose “Prins” was the opening film for Generation 14plus in 2015.
The Generation...
“These are brave films from courageous filmmakers, with their fingers on the pulse of the time and an acute feel for the social, cultural and political developments of our present moment,” said section head Maryanne Redpath.
An initial eight films were announced for 14plus, with projects hailing from China, India, South Korea and the U.S. They will all have their European or world premieres in Berlin. The lineup includes “Stupid Young Heart” from Oscar-nominated director Selma Vilhunen and “Goldie” from Sam de Jong, whose “Prins” was the opening film for Generation 14plus in 2015.
The Generation...
- 12/19/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
The Berlin Film Festival has unveiled the first slate of titles for its 2019 Generation sidebar of children and youth movies.
Highlights of the 2019 lineup include the world premiere of Goldie, from director Sam de Jong, starring model/actress Slick Woods; the Canadian drama A Colony from director Genevieve Dulude-De Celles; Bulbul Can Sing from Indian director Rima Das; Makoto Nagahisa's debut feature We Are Little Zombies from Japan; and My Extraordinary Summer With Tess, a Dutch literary adaption from first-time director Steven Wouterlood.
The Generation section is one of Berlin's most popular, and best-attended, sidebars, with most screenings quickly selling out. The ...
Highlights of the 2019 lineup include the world premiere of Goldie, from director Sam de Jong, starring model/actress Slick Woods; the Canadian drama A Colony from director Genevieve Dulude-De Celles; Bulbul Can Sing from Indian director Rima Das; Makoto Nagahisa's debut feature We Are Little Zombies from Japan; and My Extraordinary Summer With Tess, a Dutch literary adaption from first-time director Steven Wouterlood.
The Generation section is one of Berlin's most popular, and best-attended, sidebars, with most screenings quickly selling out. The ...
- 12/19/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Berlin Film Festival has unveiled the first slate of titles for its 2019 Generation sidebar of children and youth movies.
Highlights of the 2019 lineup include the world premiere of Goldie, from director Sam de Jong, starring model/actress Slick Woods; the Canadian drama A Colony from director Genevieve Dulude-De Celles; Bulbul Can Sing from Indian director Rima Das; Makoto Nagahisa's debut feature We Are Little Zombies from Japan and My Extraordinary Summer With Tess, a Dutch literary adaption from first-time director Steven Wouterlood.
The Generation section is one of Berlin's most popular, and best-attended, sidebars, with most screenings quickly selling out. The ...
Highlights of the 2019 lineup include the world premiere of Goldie, from director Sam de Jong, starring model/actress Slick Woods; the Canadian drama A Colony from director Genevieve Dulude-De Celles; Bulbul Can Sing from Indian director Rima Das; Makoto Nagahisa's debut feature We Are Little Zombies from Japan and My Extraordinary Summer With Tess, a Dutch literary adaption from first-time director Steven Wouterlood.
The Generation section is one of Berlin's most popular, and best-attended, sidebars, with most screenings quickly selling out. The ...
- 12/19/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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