LA EigaFest

Last updated
LA EigaFest
Location Los Angeles, California
Founded 2011
Hosted by Japan Film Society
Festival date September
Language Japanese/English
Website http://www.laeigafest.com/

LA EigaFest, is an annual film festival held in Los Angeles, California hosted by the Japan Film Society. It showcases the latest Japanese films to the American audience. The festival also hosts a Shorts Competition (the Golden Zipangu Awards) [1] and a Business Panel [2] every year. "Eiga" is the Japanese term for "Film."

Film festival event with films being shown

A film festival is an organized, extended presentation of films in one or more cinemas or screening venues, usually in a single city or region. Increasingly, film festivals show some films outdoors. Films may be of recent date and, depending upon the festival's focus, can include international and domestic releases. Some festivals focus on a specific film-maker or genre or subject matter. A number of film festivals specialise in short films of a defined maximum length. Film festivals are typically annual events. Some film historians, including Jerry Beck, do not consider film festivals official releases of film.

Los Angeles City in California

Los Angeles, officially the City of Los Angeles and often known by its initials L.A., is the most populous city in California, the second most populous city in the United States, after New York City, and the third most populous city in North America. With an estimated population of four million, Los Angeles is the cultural, financial, and commercial center of Southern California. The city is known for its Mediterranean climate, ethnic diversity, Hollywood and the entertainment industry, and its sprawling metropolis. Los Angeles is the largest city on the West Coast of North America.

Contents

The festival was founded by festival director Hayato Mitsuishi [3] who is also the Co-Founder and President of the Japan Film Society.

LA EigaFest was first held at the Chinese Theatre in 2011. [4] [5] It was then held at the Egyptian Theatre in 2012, [6] [7] 2013, [8] and 2014 [9] and L.A. LIVE - Regal Cinemas in 2015. [10]

Film Premieres

LA EigaFest has premiered major Japanese films on the big screen in the US that might not have otherwise been seen by US audiences. [11] Many of the films shown have made its International, North America, or US debut at LA Eigafest including such films as Lupin III (International Premiere), [12] Rurouni Kenshin (North American Premiere), [13] Unforgiven (US Premiere), [14] Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (US Premiere), [15] Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (North American Premiere) [16] and others.

<i>Rurouni Kenshin</i> (film) 2012 film by Keishi Ōtomo

Rurouni Kenshin is a 2012 Japanese period action-adventure film based on the manga of the same name originally written by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Directed by Keishi Ōtomo, the film stars Takeru Satoh and Emi Takei. The film focuses on fictional events that take place during the early Meiji period in Japan, telling the story of a wanderer named Himura Kenshin, formerly known as the assassin Hitokiri Battōsai. After participating in the Bakumatsu war, Kenshin wanders the countryside of Japan offering protection and aid to those in need as atonement for the murders he once committed as an assassin.

<i>Unforgiven</i> (2013 film) 2013 film by Lee Sang-il

Unforgiven is a 2013 Japanese jidaigeki western film directed by Lee Sang-il. It is a remake of Clint Eastwood's 1992 western Unforgiven. The film was screened in the Special Presentation section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. The film also made its US debut as the opening film for LA EigaFest 2013. It was also presented in 2014 in the Palm Springs International Film Festival and out of competition in the 70th Venice International Film Festival.

<i>Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno</i> 2014 film by Keishi Ōtomo

Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno is a 2014 Japanese film directed by Keishi Ōtomo and based on the manga series Rurouni Kenshin. It is the first of two sequels to the 2012 live-action Rurouni Kenshin film, and was followed by The Legend Ends released later the same year.

Related Research Articles

Himura Kenshin fictional character

Himura Kenshin, known as Kenshin Himura in the English-language anime dubs, is a fictional character and protagonist of the Rurouni Kenshin manga created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Kenshin's story is set in a fictional version of Japan during the Meiji period. Kenshin is a former legendary assassin known as "Hitokiri Battōsai" (人斬り抜刀斎), more properly named Himura Battōsai (緋村抜刀斎). At the end of the Bakumatsu, he becomes a wandering swordsman, now wielding a sakabatō—a katana that has the cutting edge on the inwardly curved side of the sword, thus being nearly incapable of killing. Kenshin wanders the Japanese countryside offering protection and aid to those in need as atonement for the murders he once committed as an assassin. In Tokyo, he meets a young woman named Kamiya Kaoru, who invites him to live in her dojo, despite learning about Kenshin's past. Throughout the series, Kenshin begins to establish lifelong relationships with many people, including ex-enemies, while dealing with his fair share of enemies, new and old.

Nobuhiro Nishiwaki, better known by his pen name Nobuhiro Watsuki, is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for his samurai-themed series Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story (1994–1999), which has over 70 million copies in circulation and a sequel he is currently creating titled Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc (2017–present). He has written three more series, the western Gun Blaze West (2001), the supernatural Buso Renkin (2003–2005), and the horror manga Embalming -The Another Tale of Frankenstein- (2007–2015). Watsuki has mentored several well-known manga artists, including One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda, Hiroyuki Takei of Shaman King fame, and Mr. Fullswing author Shinya Suzuki.

Sagara Sanosuke fictional character

Sagara Sanosuke is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin manga and anime series created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. In the English anime adaptations he is known as Sanosuke Sagara and nicknamed Sano. Watsuki, being a fan of the Shinsengumi, created Sanosuke by basing his name and characteristics on that of a real Shinsengumi member named Harada Sanosuke.

Tatsuya Fujiwara Japanese voice actor

Tatsuya Fujiwara is a Japanese actor. Internationally, he is best known for his leading roles as Shuya Nanahara in the Battle Royale films, Light Yagami in the Death Note films, Kaiji Ito in the Kaiji films, and Rikuhiko Yuki in Hideo Nakata's The Incite Mill. In 2014, he portrayed the villain Shishio Makoto in the live action Rurouni Kenshin films.

Naoki Satō is a Japanese composer who has provided the music for several popular anime series including the first five Pretty Cure series, X, Eureka Seven, Sword of the Stranger, and Blood-C. He graduated from the Tokyo College of Music in 1993. At the 29th Japan Academy Prize in 2006, he won the Best Music prize for his work on the film Always Sanchōme no Yūhi . He also composed music for anime films such as Pretty Cure All Stars DX trilogy, Stand By Me Doraemon. In live-action dramas, he provided music and soundtracks for TV dramas Good Luck!!Water Boys, H2: Kimi to Ita Hibi and Ryōmaden. He provided the music for the Space Battleship Yamato film, as well as the Rurouni Kenshin and Parasyte live-action film series. For the 38th Japan Academy Prize in 2015, he was nominated in the Best Score category for his work in The Eternal Zero. While he did not win the award, The Eternal Zero won several awards including Best Picture, and Stand By Me Doraemon won for Best Animated Film.

Saitō Hajime (<i>Rurouni Kenshin</i>) fictional character

Saitō Hajime, known as Hajime Saito in the English-language anime dubs, is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin manga and anime series created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Being a fan of the Shinsengumi, Watsuki created Saitō as an anti-heroic foil to Himura Kenshin, the main character of the story, while basing him on the real life Shinsengumi member of the same name.

The Rafu Shimpo is a Japanese-English language newspaper based in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California.

<i>Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal</i> original video animation

Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal, known in Japan as Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuioku-hen, is a 1999 original video animation series directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi, screenplay-written by Masashi Sogo, scored by Taku Iwasaki, and animated by Studio Deen. Based on the Rurouni Kenshin manga written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki, Trust & Betrayal chronicles the story of Himura Kenshin as the Hitokiri Battōsai during the final years of the Bakumatsu era while also revealing the origins of his cross-shaped scar and exploring his relationship with a woman named Yukishiro Tomoe.

Takeru Satoh Japanese actor

Takeru Satoh is a Japanese actor. He is best known for his leading role as Ryotaro Nogami in the Kamen Rider Den-O franchise, and as Himura Kenshin in the live-action Rurouni Kenshin film and its sequels.

<i>Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends</i> 2014 film by Keishi Ōtomo

Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends is a 2014 Japanese jidaigeki action film directed by Keishi Ōtomo and based on the manga series Rurouni Kenshin. The story follows two prior films, Rurouni Kenshin (2012) and Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (2014).

<i>Lupin the 3rd</i> (film) 2014 film by Ryuhei Kitamura

Lupin the 3rd is a 2014 Japanese heist film directed by Ryuhei Kitamura based on the manga of the same name by Monkey Punch, starring an ensemble cast led by Shun Oguri, Jerry Yan, Tetsuji Tamayama, Gō Ayano, Meisa Kuroki and Tadanobu Asano. It is the second live-action film adaptation of the manga, following Lupin III: Strange Psychokinetic Strategy (1974).

<i>Ask This of Rikyu</i> 2013 film by Mitsutoshi Tanaka

Ask This of Rikyu is a 2013 Japanese biographical film directed by Mitsutoshi Tanaka and based on a novel by Kenichi Yamamoto. This film won the award of Best Artistic Contribution at Montreal World Film Festival in 2013.

<i>35xxxv</i> Seventh studio album by ONE O3K ROCK

35xxxv is the seventh studio album by the Japanese band One Ok Rock. It was released on February 11, 2015. This is their first album recorded abroad, primarily in the US. The song "Mighty Long Fall" was the theme song of the 2014 sequel film Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, while "Heartache" was used for the third film, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends. "Mighty Long Fall" peaked at #2 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and stayed for 17 weeks.

<i>Prophecy</i> (manga)

Prophecy is a Japanese suspense action seinen manga series written and illustrated by Tetsuya Tsutsui.

Miiko Taka American actress

Miiko Taka, is a Japanese American actress best known for co-starring with Marlon Brando as Hana-ogi in the 1957 movie Sayonara.

<i>Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc</i>

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story The Hokkaido Arc is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki, with story consultation by his wife Kaworu Kurosaki. It is a direct sequel to Rurouni Kenshin and follows Himura Kenshin and his friends in 1883 Japan as they traverse Hokkaido in search of his father-in-law.

References

  1. ↑ Fields, Robert Dylan. "LOS ANGELES: EigaFest Gives Hollywood a Taste of Japan". Asia Media.
  2. ↑ Milano, Valerie. "4th Annual LA EigaFest". The Hollywood Times. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  3. ↑ Gettell, Oliver. "Japanese films go beyond anime, samurai at L.A. EigaFest". LA Times. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  4. ↑ Chris, MaGee. "Los Angeles gears up for LA EigaFest". J-Film Pow-Wow. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  5. ↑ King, Susan. "Japan Film Society launches festival at Chinese 6 in Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  6. ↑ "2012 / LA Eiga Fest 2012 Conclusive Schedule announced, Dec 14-16". Cultural News. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  7. ↑ "12/14-16— L.A. EigaFest 2012". Rafu Shimpo. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  8. ↑ "LA EigaFest – Japanese Film Festival: December 6th – 8th". Asians On Film.
  9. ↑ "LA EigaFest 2014 Continues Through Sunday". Rafu Shimpo.
  10. ↑ Chapman, Paul. "5th Annual "L.A. EigaFest" Film Festival Coming to Los Angeles in September". Crunchyroll.
  11. ↑ Aldrich, Ryland. "LA EIGAFEST Brings Recent Japanese Hits to Hollywood This Weekend". TwitchFilm. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  12. ↑ "L.A. EigaFest to Show Live-Action Lupin III, Rurouni Kenshin Sequel". Anime News Network.
  13. ↑ "RUROUNI KENSHIN North American Premiere at 2012 LA EigaFest". SciFiJapan. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  14. ↑ "LA EigaFest to Be Held Dec. 6-8 at Egyptian Theatre". Rafu Shimpo.
  15. ↑ Chan, Yoshiko. "Reel News Daily". Reel News Daily.
  16. ↑ "LA EigaFest to Show Live-Action Kenshin, Princess Jellyfish Films". Anime News Network.
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