The 38th Tokyo International Film Festival got off to a spectacular start on Monday with many stars in attendance.
Participants who paraded the red carpet at the prestigious Takarazuka Theater included a veritable who’s who of celebrities and filmmakers from Asia and around the world.
Participants included French actor Juliette Binoche, whose directorial debut, In-I in Motion, will be screened at the festival. Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing stars in the competition film “Mother Bhoomi.” Members of the Japanese boy band Generations from Exile Tribe (a documentary about them is scheduled for the festival). Japanese actor Takuichi Kumi will serve as the festival’s “navigator” (a special ambassador for TIFF).
Japanese actor Sayuri Yoshinaga and American director Paul Schrader brought a much-needed old-school cool to the proceedings. Director Yoshinaga, a leading figure in the Japanese film industry, is starring in the film festival’s opening film, “Climbing for Life.” She was presented with the TIFF Lifetime Achievement Award at the opening ceremony. Yoshinaga wore a kimono emblazoned with a photo of Junko Tabei, the pioneering Japanese female mountaineer who plays the character in the film.
Schrader introduces his 1985 classic Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters in a sidebar commemorating the legendary Japanese novelist’s 100th birthday. When asked on the red carpet if he had any comments for the Japanese audience, he sarcastically replied, “Please don’t blame America for Donald Trump!” The controversial biopic “The Life of Mishima Shisho” has been virtually banned in Japan since its release in 1985. It was originally scheduled to be shown at the first TIFF in 1985, but organizers refused to show it. After 40 years, it’s finally getting its official premiere at TIFF.
The cast of the Japanese school comedy “Blonde” appeared in costumes and bright blonde hairstyles to match the movie, receiving the loudest applause from eagerly awaiting fans.
Other notable figures at the event included “She Has No Name” director Peter Chan Ho-sung. Kou Shibasaki and Hikari Mitsushima star in “Bring Him Down to Portable Size.” “Elvis” producer Skyler Weiss. Urmila Venugopalan MPA Chairman and MD of Asia Pacific Region. Zhang Lu, director of “Mothertongue”. Penfei, director of “Take Off.” Keiko Kitagawa stars in “Yoka”. Contest Jury Chairman Carlo Chatrian. And Mr. Penek Ratananaruan, director of “Morte Cucina”.
The weather gods were in action for the second year in a row, and festival chairman Heiyasu Ando said, “It rained for two days over the weekend, and I was wondering what Monday would be like, but it turned out to be a sunny autumn day, and thanks to everyone’s support, the red carpet was a huge success.This year, 270 people walked the carpet, 30% more than last year.”
Beyond the Starry Sky, Japan’s Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Toshiro Ino, got down to business with his speech at the opening ceremony, which included the revelation that Japan will be the country to be honored at next year’s Cannes Market. Ino said, “Japan has been given the opportunity to play the role of an honorary country at the Film Marche.The public and private sectors pledge to work together to make the most of this opportunity.”
Mr. Ino also announced that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has established a new Minister’s Award this year to recognize the excellent efforts of film commissions, which are essential for location shooting.
The minister also named Lee Sang-il’s Kabuki-based drama “National Treasure,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and became Japan’s second hit this year after “Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugenjo.”
“In recent years, the Japanese film “Kokuho” has become a big hit, and as a result, society’s interest in Kabuki, which is the basis of Japanese cultural heritage, has increased significantly.I am glad that works like this are deepening the understanding of Japanese culture and contributing to its development,” Ino said. “As a government, we will continue to support efforts to bring these fascinating Japanese content to audiences around the world.”
Ino added, “I sincerely hope that the content industry, including movies, will continue to develop as Japan’s core industry and as a symbol of culture.”
The festival will run until November 5th.
