Japan revealed as Cannes market country of honour at Tokyo film festival opening night

The 38^th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) opened on Monday evening with a host of international stars on the red carpet and an announcement that Japan will be the country of honour at next year’s Cannes Marche du Film.

Taking to the stage of the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, Japan’s state minister of economy trade and industry Ino Toshiro said: “The government is advancing initiatives to promote compelling Japan-made content to the world and at next year’s Cannes Film Festival, Japan has been selected as the country of honour at the Cannes market. We will work in partnership with the public and private sectors to showcase Japanese films to the world as part of the globally renowned festival.”

Further details are due to be revealed tomorrow, which could include Japan hosting the opening night party in Cannes next May, as this year’s designated country Brazil did in May.

Toshiro also revealed that the ministry will present a new Minister’s Award at this year’s TIFF, recognising the efforts of film commissions, which Toshiro said were “indispensable to location shooting”.

Unlike some countries, Japan has bounced back following the pandemic and the minister highlighted the success of Lee Sang-il’s Kokuho, a kabuki-themed drama which premiered in Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes and has become the second biggest title at the Japan box office this year, only behind Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle.

“Recently in Japan, the film Kokuho has achieved remarkable success and has influenced the audience to become more interested in kabuki itself,” said Toshiro. “Such content fosters greater understanding of Japanese culture and we’re very happy about that.”

Binoche on AI

The opening ceremony began with a red carpet event, which TIFF chairman Hiroyasu Ando said hosted 270 people, a 30% increase on last year – perhaps helped by a rain-free evening.

Those to walk the carpet included French actress Juliette Binoche, whose directorial debut In-I In Motion has been selected for the festival; Chinese star Fan Bingbing, who leads competition title Mother Bhumi; and US writer-director Paul Schrader, who will present biopic Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters, which has been barred from being screened in Japan since its 1985 release due to its controversial content.

Asked if he had a message he wanted to share with Japanese audiences, Schrader said: “Don’t blame America for Donald Trump.” The US president arrived in Tokyo this evening from the ASEAN summit in Malaysia and is due to meet Japanese prime minister Takaichi Sanae in Tokyo tomorrow.

As proceedings got underway, Binoche was called on stage as a special guest to share some words and help kick off the audience. She shouted: “Go for it! Being a creative is so important today, especially in the time of AI and social media. You’ve got to be independent in your task, in your passion for life and creation. That’s all I can say. Go for it!”

Not long after, her appearance was followed by the key talent behind opening film Climbing For Life: director Junji Sakamoto, acclaimed actress Sayuri Yoshinaga and fellow actress Non.

Yoshinaga, who plays the first woman to conquer Mount Everest in the film, was honoured with TIFF’s lifetime achievement award. Accepting the honour, she wore a kimono that featured an image of Junko Tabei, the mountaineer she portrays in the film.

“Step by step, I want to continue along the path of film,” said the actress, who is one of Japan’s most revered performers with more than 120 features to her name over the past 65 years.

TIFF is set to run from October 27 to November 5.

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