New Release
Adrift in Tokyo
Looking for a family-friendly, quirky and charming Japanese film to watch with your loved ones this Christmas?
Then look no further! ADRIFT IN TOKYO makes its worldwide bluray debut!
One of the great classics of Japanese contemporary cinema, a film which is loved by all who watch it and highly recommended for those who love quirky comedy and Japan in general!
BLU-RAY CONTENTS
• Making Of (70 mins)
• Interview with director Satoshi Miki (18 min)
• Interview with actor Joe Odagiri (12 min)
• Stage Greetings with cast and director (11 min)
• Original Trailer
Region B
NOW OUT
Order at Terracotta:
https://shop.terracottadistribution.com/collections/pre-order-before-release/products/adrift-in-tokyo-bluray
Spotlight on Streaming
Loads of new services to try!
A bunch of new and great streaming services for Japanese independent cinema have popped up recently and we'd love to share them with you
JFF+
The Japan Foundation have a new FREE service which showcases 12 Japanese independent films selected by mini-theatre programmers across Japan.
This service runs from Dec 15th and includes a wonderful variety of Japanese indies, including the latest from Toshiaki Toyoda, for FREE outside of Japan!
https://jff.jpf.go.jp/watch/independent-cinema/film-lineup/
Todoi Films
Unlike JFF+, Todoi Films is not free, but contains a fascinating selection of very independent films which have barely made it out of Japan. There are some incredibly interesting gems, such as Cosmetic DNA and Noise, but all of them are very unlikely to receive distribution outside of Japan, making this site the only way to watch them.
Availability of films depends on territories, but check them out for some lovely discoveries!
https://todoifilms.com/
Sakka Films
Sakka Films is another new rental site which has a smaller selection of finely curated Japanese independent films, though most of their films are much more well-known and have won awards at major film festivals. The films' availability depends on where you're located, but they have a great selection of titles from big-hitter directors such as Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Sho Miyake, plus include many bonus features such as director interviews and other exclusive content.
https://www.sakkafilms.com/
Terracotta
Terracotta's titles are aimed just at UK customers, but have an incredibly wide variety of titles spanning all across Asia, with everything from Jackie Chan to Nobuhiko Obayashi!
A bit of something for everyone!
https://www.terracottadistribution.com/products
In Cinemas
LONDON:
One Cut of the Dead at the BFI
Catch the Japanese cult classic in a rare outing on the big screen and with an audience!
One Cut of the Dead plays twice at the BFI in December
Friday 16 December 18:15
Friday 30 December 20:45
https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/article/onecutofthedead
LONDON:
Akira Kurosawa Retrospective at the BFI
In January, the BFI will be running a mammoth retrospective of the master, screening 15 of his films alongside many talk events. A must-attend event for fans of Japanese cinema!
https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/article/akirakurosawa
DERBY:
Satori Screen: Japanese Lo-Fi Sci-Fi Double Bill
Tetsuo & Electric Dragon 80000v
Satori Screen at The Quad Cinema in Derby presents a rare chance to see two classics of Japanese underground sci-fi up on the big screen with an introduction from Satori Screen's Peter Munford.
Friday, January 13th at 8pm
https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/LoFiSciFi
Arrow Films
JU-ON: The Grudge Collection
The quintessential J-horror series make its Blu-ray debut with a brand new 4K restoration of Ju-On: The Grudge and a wealth of new and archival extras, including Shimizu’s two The Curse straight-to-video precursors (previously unreleased outside Japan) and the White Ghost/Black Ghost diptych of tales unfolding within the same terrifying universe.
Now out!
https://www.arrowfilms.com/4k/ju-on-the-grudge-collection-limited-edition/13996710.html