Haruki Murakami and the challenge of adapting his tales for film
“Drive My Car,” from the rising director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, is the rare movie based on the author’s work to excel. The writer and director explain the difficulties.
‘Minamata Mandala’: An unfinished battle for accountability
Documentary film director Kazuo Hara chronicles the ongoing struggles of Minamata disease victims to hold the state responsible in one of Japan’s worst cases of industrial pollution.
‘Ruined’: Fury fuels a mission for retribution
Minori Hagiwara gives a compelling performance as a young woman who returns to her hometown to get answers and revenge in Taro Miyaoka’s “Ruined.”
‘Spaghetti Code Love’: Disaffected Tokyoites don’t have much to say
Takeshi Murayama’s stylish first feature about somewhat intertwining lives in Tokyo looks like a slick music video, but its characters are mostly two-dimensional.
A Kyoto native, Wada won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design in 1986 for her work on Akira Kurosawa's film "Ran."
'Gensan Punch': Japanese boxer fights his way to the pros in Philippines
Directed by Brillante Mendoza, the film was inspired by the real story of Naozumi Tsuchiyama, who went to the Philippines after his physical disability prevented him from going pro in Japan.
‘Come and Go’: A hearty serving from Osaka’s multicultural melting pot
With “Come and Go,” which explores life in Osaka through a kaleidoscope of perspectives, director Lim Kah Wai shows how Japan’s population is not as homogenous as many believe.
Lim Kah Wai creates an intricate mosaic of Osakans in ‘Come and Go’
Director Lim Kah Wai’s final installment of his Osaka trilogy is a compelling ensemble drama that reflects the diversity of nationalities and lifestyles that coexist in the city.
Godzilla fetes 67th birthday with 4K remaster of iconic 1954 film
The highly anticipated remaster of the original "Godzilla" film debuted in Los Angeles to celebrate the 67th birthday of the pop culture icon and the world's longest-running movie franchise.
TIFF and Tokyo Filmex shakeup gets conversations going
The 34th edition of Tokyo's annual film event marked the debut of a newly appointed programming director, an emphasis on female perspectives and the resurrection of the TIFF Times.
TIFF's Director in Focus Keisuke Yoshida makes a case for compassion
The underrated director of films such as “Himeanole,” “Blue” and “Intolerance” gets his due at this year's Tokyo International Film Festival.
‘Parasite in Love’: Pulpy drama has young love on the brain
Kensaku Kakimoto’s moody romance has an interesting premise about the relationship between love and mental illness, but it doesn’t quite settle on the right tone.
