Shopping Guide
From Dec. 14-16, 2012, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, the 2nd LA EigaFest was held. The LA EigaFest is a movie festival for Japanese films that was established in 2011. The event was opened with the North American premiere of Rurouni Kenshin, as excitement overflowed from the crowd.
In attendance at the event was the movie’s director Keishi Otomo and Munetaka Aoki, who played Sagara Sanosuke in the film. Otomo had this to say at the premiere:
For the two years that I lived in LA 15 years ago, I saw many movies at many different theaters. The Egyptian Theater was one of them. At that time, it was my dream to have a movie I directed be screened in America (let alone the epicenter of movies, Hollywood!). I am deeply moved and very happy to have one of my movies brought to Hollywood.
Aoki also spoke at the premiere, saying: “The first time I came to LA was 12 years ago. At the time, I was traveling alone and I was cheated out of $400 by an old man who spoke a little bit of Japanese (laughs). I wasn’t thinking that I would become an actor, so I am extremely happy to be standing here now.”
After the movie was screened, Otomo and Aoki answered a barrage of questions. In response to a reporter who asked, “Will there be a sequel? If so, will we learn the truth about Shishio Makoto?”, Otomo responded, “I am thinking about many things right now, so please be patient. If everyone in America wants a sequel, then we may well make a sequel!” Aoki also responded, saying, “I would love to play Sanosuke again if that’s what everyone wants!” From beginning to end, both Otomo and Aoki were engulfed in a swirl of excitement.
Aside from Japan and America, Rurouni Kenshin has also opened in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines, where it set a new box office record for a Japanese film (10.51 million pesos). On Dec. 26, the movie was released on Blu-ray and DVD in Japan. Rentals and on-demand distribution of the movie also began on the same day.
For the time being, everyone’s eyes seem to be fixed on Rurouni Kenshin.
Rurouni Kenshin Movie Official Site:
http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/rurouni-kenshin/ (Japanese)
Source:
http://animeanime.jp/article/2012/12/18/12422.html (Japanese)
