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In his late works, Nobuhiko Obayashi became a very keen and critical observer of his home country, its society and politics, posing the question whether they had actually learned anything from the past. “Casting Blossoms to the Sky” is the first movie in what is now considered a trilogy of anti-war features, with “Seven Weeks” (2014) and “Hanagatami” (2017) being the other parts. Following his visual and narrative approach of combining layers of dream, reality and time, Obayashi focuses on several incidents and experiences of a woman traveling to Nagaoka, a city famous for its fireworks tradition, but also a place which may hold the key in understanding the present as well as the possible future of Japan.

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As a newspaper journalist, Reiko Endo (Yasuko Matsuyuki) has always been interested in the history of places, such as Nagaoka. After the earthquake...

Essentially a vehicle for Yasuko Tomita, an idol singer and actress then at the height of her fame, to shine, Jun Ichikawa's debut “Bu Su” was still a successful film, netting the protagonist a Best Actress award in the Yokohama Film Festival, where it was also declared as the second best film of the year (after “The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On”). It also netted Masahiro Takashima numerous awards as first time actor, including one from the Japanese Academy.

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After an incident that is not exactly clear, Mugiko leaves the island she had been living with her mother, a former famous geisha, in order to go live with her aunt, who runs a geisha house in Kagurazaka district in Tokyo. There, she plans to train as a geisha while also attending highschool in the city. Her decision, however, is...

In his late works, Nobuhiko Obayashi became a very keen and critical observer of his home country, its society and politics, posing the question whether they had actually learned anything from the past. “Casting Blossoms to the Sky” is the first movie in what is now considered a trilogy of anti-war features, with “Seven Weeks” (2014) and “Hanagatami” (2017) being the other parts. Following his visual and narrative approach of combining layers of dream, reality and time, Obayashi focuses on several incidents and experiences of a woman traveling to Nagaoka, a city famous for its fireworks tradition, but also a place which may hold the key in understanding the present as well as the possible future of Japan.

“Seven Weeks” Opens Japan Society, NY and Nationwide Virtual Cinemas and Theaters, July 9, courtesy of Kimstim Films

As a newspaper journalist, Reiko Endo (Yasuko Matsuyuki) has always been interested in the history of places,...

A dose of 21st century attitude mixes nicely with other winning ingredients in “Kingdom,” a thoroughly entertaining adaptation of Yasuhisa Hara’s hugely popular manga set in China, 245 B.C. Centered on two orphan boys who dream of becoming “the greatest generals on Earth,” this Japanese take on a Chinese wuxia is overwrought at times and too simply plotted at others, but wins through with colorful characters, top-class swordplay and snappy dialogue that’ll especially connect with younger viewers. Energetically directed and co-written by manga-to-screen specialist Shinsuke Sato, “Kingdom” grossed a whopping $50 million in local cinemas earlier this year and ought to perform strongly in limited North American release from August 16.

Taking its thematic cues from literary classics including “The Prince and the Pauper,” and adopting the high-spirited story-telling of action-adventures such as Akira Kurosawa’s “The Hidden Fortress,” “Kingdom” refreshes a familiar tale of heroes emerging from poverty to...

One of many manga adaptations being released nowadays, this particular film from Shinsuke Sato is based on the best-selling adventure/historical series of the same name created by Yasuhisa Hara. The story presens a fictionalized account of ancient China during the Warring States Period from 475-221 BC.

“Kingdom” screened at the 2019 edition of Fantasia International Film Festival:

Orphaned as kids by the ongoing war, Xin (Kento Yamazaki) and his friend Piao (Ryo Yoshizawa) dream of changing their fate and becoming the world’s greatest generals. After Piao sacrifices himself to protect the future emperor Ying Zheng (Ryo Yoshizawa), the young Xin’s path to greatness is set in motion by helping the king Cheng Wengjun (Masahiro Takashima) reclaim the throne taken from him by various backstabbing generals and court officials. As they set about on their journey, the battle to do so puts the Xin’s blade to the ultimate...

Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan is readying “Kingdom!,” an epic period drama based on Yasuhisa Hara’s best-selling manga of the same name.

Set in China during the Warring States Period, the film tells the story of an orphaned peasant boy who encounters another boy destined to become the Qin emperor. Serving as the key general, the peasant fights on behalf of the king to unite China.

The director is Shinsuke Sato, whose credits include the effects-heavy actioners “Gantz” (2011), “I Am a Hero” (2016) and “Inuyashiki” (2018).

Kento Yamazaki is starring at Shin and Ryo Yoshizawa as Ei Sei. Co-stars include Masami Nagasawa, Kanna Hashimoto, Kanata Hongo, Shinnosuke Mitsushima, Masahiro Takashima, Jun Kaname and Takao Osawa.

Production on the film began in April, with shoots in both China and Japan. The Japan release is set for April 19, 2019, with Toho distributing.

Sanford Panitch, president of Sony Columbia Pictures, who in charge of Sony’s international local production strategy,...

Snow on the Blades

“Zakurozaka no adauchi”

Written by Jirô Asada (short story)

Directed by Setsurô Wakamatsu

Japan, 2014

For the devout, honor can become a prison. Snow on the Blades is director Setsurô Wakamatsu’s romantic rumination on one samurai’s futile devotion to the code that society left behind. Though too heavy-handed in its thematic approach, the memorable characters and breathtaking imagery draw you in and refuse to let you go. This is a samurai movie less concerned about the swordplay than the men holding the swords.

The year is 1860 in Hikone, Japan, and the samurai Kingo (Kiichi Nakai) is revered amongst men. He has just taken the beautiful Setsu (Ryôko Hirosue) to be his bride. His prideful mother and father delight over his ascension to chief protector of the Shogun’s First Minister, Ii Naosuke (Kichiemon Nakamura). All of his friends, including his closest confidante, Shinnosuke (Masahiro Takashima), consider him above reproach.