Shopping Guide
This fall, a film festival will be held that delivers to Hollywood, U.S. the charms of Japanese films. LA EigaFest, which focuses on Japanese films, will be held from Sept. 12-14 in the heart of Hollywood: the Egyptian Theatre. LA EigaFest started in 2011 due to Americans wanting to know more about Japanese films. Screenings of the newest films, introductions to works by up-and-comings artists, wonderful guests, and more are at this hugely anticipated event.
Because of this, excitement toward this film festival has been growing year by year. This year as well, there are big projects planned to answer everyone’s expectations. The first big highlight will likely be Lupin the Third. This hit movie starring original actor Shun Oguri and based on Monkey Punch’s popular manga will be screened as the festival’s opening work. This screening is coming quickly after the domestic release of the film in Japan on Aug. 30, and it will be the first overseas screening of the film, making it an international film.
For the opening screening, director Ryuhei Kitamura, voice actress Meisa Kuroki (Fujiko Mine), and producer Mataichiro Yamamoto will be in attendance. They will also appear on the red carpet and at the opening ceremony, and are likely to cause huge excitement.
Another huge film was chosen as the closing work. Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno will make its U.S. premiere when it screens at the event. Because this series is highly popular in the U.S. as well, fans will surely be happy that they get to see it screened so quickly after its Japan release.
Also screened will be Giovanni’s Island, which has received high acclaim at film festivals all over the world. Former masterpieces by Sanpei Shirato, TV animes Sasuke and Kamui the Ninja of JVTA’s special ninja anime program, will also be screened. These are unique screenings you can only see at a film festival.
In a unique twist, a double feature will be held of the original Godzilla movie from 60 years ago and this summer’s blockbuster Hollywood remake. A characteristic of the film festival is its breadth of works which also includes Chokosoku! Sankinkodai, Ask This of Rikyu, A Tale of Samurai Cooking: A True Love Story, and Genome Hazard. Also to be screened are winning works from the World Gate Film Festival and a special selection from the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia. As is custom, five competition works will be chosen and screened to actively introduce new talent.
On Sept. 13, a business panel themed after “Japanese content consumed by Americans and their remakes” jointly sponsored by JETRO and the Japan Film Society will be held. A guest at this panel will be Hiroshi Sakurazaka, author of the novel All You Need is Kill which was adapted into a Hollywood film titled Edge of Tomorrow.
Through entertainment, business, a melding of minds, and other facets, LA EigaFest 2014 will connect the film worlds of Japan and the U.S.
LA EigaFest 2014
Sponsor: Japan Film Society
Duration: Sept. 12 (Fri.) to Sept. 14 (Sun.), 2014
Source: animeanime
