37th Tokyo International Film Festival opens with star-studded red carpet event

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37th Tokyo International Film Festival opens with star-studded red carpet event

Writer: Heidi Hsia

37th Tokyo International Film Festival is launched

29 Oct - The 37th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) in Japan began its 10-day run on 28 October with a colorful red carpet event featuring Japanese and international cinema luminaries, ahead of the TIFF Opening Ceremony.

The red carpet festivities got under way with brief stage appearances by over 200 filmmakers, actors and luminaries from across sections of the festival, as well as the TIFF juries. They then moved along the 162-meter serpentine walk, stopping for multiple autographs and selfies with fans from far and wide before arriving at the elegant staircase leading into the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, which was built in the style of yesteryear's grand movie houses, providing the perfect backdrop for TIFF's Opening Ceremony.

Among the international luminaries making the stroll were Chinese actor Zhao Liying and director Midi Z (at TIFF with the film "The Unseen Sister"); Hong Kong actor Michael Hui ("The Last Dance"); Taiwanese director Huang Xi and Hong Kong actors Sylvia Chang and Karena Lam ("Daughter's Daughter"); Malaysian director Chong Keat Aun and actor Natalie Hsu ("Pavane for an Infant"); Chinese director Dong Zijian and actor Liu Haoran ("My Friend An Delie"); Singaporean director Mike Wiluan and Japanese actor Dean Fujioka ("Orang Ikan"); Chinese director Wei Shujun and actor Huang Xiaoming ("Mostly Sunny"); and Singaporean director Eric Khoo with actors Fubuki Jun and Sakai Masaaki ("Spirit World").

37th TIFF Festival Navigator Kikuchi Rinko ©2024 TIFF

The many Japanese celebrities appearing included 37th TIFF Festival Navigator Kikuchi Rinko; Shiraishi Kazuya, director of the festival's Opening Film 11 Rebels and nine of the film's stars, including Yamada Takayuki and Nakano Taiga; recent Emmy nominee for Shogun Asano Tadanobu and British director Mark Gill (Ravens); actor Ayase Haruka, making her first TIFF Red Carpet appearance for the film Route 29; actor Suda Masaki with director Kishi Yoshiyuki (winner of the 36th TIFF Audience Award) for his latest film, "Sunset Sunrise"; Matsushige Yutaka, director and star of Solitary Gourmet; anime director POPREQ ("A Few Moments of Cheers"); actors Iura Arata and Mizuhara Kiko ("Adabana"); and actor Kawai Yuumi and director Ohku Akiko ("She Taught Me Serendipity").

The final red carpet appearance was by the members of the esteemed International Competition jury: Jury President Tony Leung, Enyedi Ildikó, Hashimoto Ai, Chiara Mastroianni, and Johnnie To.

From left: Hashimoto Ai, Enyedi Ildikó, Tony Leung, Johnnie To and Chiara Mastroianni

The Opening Ceremony got underway inside the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, with a unique combination of video, music and dance, featuring Sarah Àlainn (vocalist-violinist), Leo (koto player), KAF (virtual singer), Oi Kazuya (drummer), and dancers Ikeda Mika and Suzuki Yohei. An introduction to the festival's lineup and the awards to be presented were then made via video, with KAF acting as emcee, accompanied by Leo and Oi.

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru then appeared via video with a warm greeting, commenting, "The Tokyo International Film Festival is an Internationally renowned celebration of cinema representing Asia. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you who have contributed to the development of cinema through your ingenuity and efforts."

Jury President Tony Leung, one of Asia's most heralded actors, said, "It's my honour to be on the jury team this year I hope our judgements will make everyone happy. It's not an easy job to do, but we will do our best. Have a lovely evening."

Tony Leung at the red carpet of TIFF

The audience was then treated to a trailer of Shiraishi Kazuya's "11 Rebels", TIFF's Opening Film and a hotly anticipated world premiere, a jidaigeki action-epic based on an unproduced story from the late, legendary scriptwriter Kasahara Kazuo (Battles Without Honor and Humanity). The director was joined on stage by actors Yamada Takayuki, Sayashi Riho, Sakumoto Takara, Chihara Seiji, Ichinose Hayate, Nomura Shuhei, Oyanagi Ryouta, and Motoyama Chikara.

TIFF's 37th edition, running from 28 October to 6 November at venues in the Hibiya-Yurakucho-Marunouchi-Ginza area of Tokyo, will feature 208 screenings, Q&A sessions, symposia, masterclasses, TIFF Lounge talk sessions and an enormous array of allied events.

Cinema Online, 29 October 2024