By M&C Movie News Apr 25, 2007, 14:57 GMT
Tokyo, Japan - Complementing its slate of a new horror and drama film, Shochiku Co. Ltd., a leading Japanese entertainment conglomerate, has its sights set on introducing dramatic fare to audiences in 2007. The company has just begun shooting two films, ‘Densen-Uta’ title and ‘Mirai Yosozu.’
'Densen-Uta' movie
Additionally, Shochiku is in post-production on the romantic drama ‘Jigyaku no Uta.’ The films are all slated for release in 2007 and have been added to the company’s international sales slate. The announcement was made April 25, by Masaki Koga, General Manager of Shochiku’s International Sales and Licensing Division.
“Densen-Uta” is a new horror film from director Masato Harada (“Inugami,” “Kamikaze Taxi”) and starring Ryuhei Matsuda (“Gohatto”), Yusuke Iseya (“Sukiyaki Western Django,” “Casshern”).
The original story is by Yasushi Akimoto, writer of the mega hit movie One Missed Call (Chakushin Ari) series.
When this project was in development, the concept was for an “infectious song (Densen-Uta)”to cause the death of many people. At that time, one of our staff noticed there was a real Densen-Uta. The staff person discovered a song, on the Internet, from 1933 Hungary, which caused mysterious deaths to many people.
In “Densen-Uta”, high school girls get mixed up in the Japanese version of this infectious song, and with the help of a third rate gossip magazine reporter, tries to solve the mystery and horror behind the song. They come to know just how real, an urban legend can become.
The film is scheduled to be released in late Summer 2007.
A feature directorial debut by Hiroshi Chono, “Mirai Yosozu” stars an upcoming actress Nao Matsushita (“Adiantum Blue”, “XX”).
The film is a beautiful love story based on two smash hit songs from a popular band” Dreams Come True,” "Mirai Yosozu" and "Mirai Yosozu II" (meaning "a map for the future").
The story is about a young couple attending the same university believing that their love for each other will never end. However, as time goes by and they graduate, their future starts to part as they both begin moving forward to capture their own dreams.
The heart-wrenching story travels from Tokyo to the beautiful setting in Barcelona, as their paths cross once again. Will they be able to find a future together that they have rendered in the past?
The film is scheduled to be released in Fall of 2007.
“Jigyaku No Uta” is a romantic drama from Yukihiko Tsutsumi (“Trick”, ”Love Collage”). The film’s cast includes Miki Nakatani (“Ring”, ”Ring 2”, ”Memories of Matsuko”) and Hiroshi Abe (“Trick”, ”Survive Style 5+”). The film is scheduled to be released in Fall of 2007.
A hopeless woman and an even more hopeless man. A woman that loves the man whatever happens, and a man that can't exactly express his feelings and just turns over the table - out of irritation, short temper, and sometimes love. Would being together become a nightmare, or a love that will sustain them to live with happiness and hope for a better tomorrow?
Commented Masaki Koga, “We are extremely excited about the new titles on our 2007 release slate. We have an array of powerful, story driven films that really elevate our international sales slate. While all are in different stages of production, they will no doubt compliment each other and collectively make an impact throughout international markets.”
The promos of the above mentioned films, together with the big budget action title “Midnight Eagle” (breathtaking "Broken Arrow" type conspiracy action thriller taking place in the deep snow mountains of the Japan Alps) will be presented to international buyers for the first time at the Cannes Film Market next month.
Along with these titles, Shochiku plans to screen several highly anticipated market premieres including "Vexille" (full CGI/SciFi-Action Animation by the creators of "Appleseed"), "Genghis Khan" ($30million Japan/Mongolia co-production, great box-office results in Japan), "Kitaro" (an action/family film with cutting edge special effects created by top CGI companies including Centro Pictures in HK which worked on such films as “Kill Bill, “Shaolin Soccer” and “Kung-fu Hustle”), "Tokyo Tower" (released in Japan on April 14. No.1 box office hit, with extremely high opening numbers. Projected box office of $30million. A moving story of a relationship between Mother and son - a story of life, growing up, and how to deal with losing a very important person in life).
Shochiku also plans to screen two other animation titles including "Summer Days With Coo" (a touching animation from the director considered as the next "Hayao Miyazaki") and Academy nominated director Koji Yamamura’s short animation “Franz Kafka’s A Country Doctor”.
Along with these titles, Shochiku will follow up on the latest film from Academy nominated director, Yoji Yamada’s “Kabei” which is a powerful drama set during World War II, about a mother and family struggling to survive after her husband being arrested under the Maintenance of Public Order Act.
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