Fullmetal alchemist

Source: TIFF

‘Fullmetal Alchemist’

The 30th edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) will open with Fumihiko Sori’s Fullmetal Alchemist, while An Incovenient Sequel: Truth To Power will close the ten-day event (October 25-November 3).

A live action adaptation of the popular manga of the same, Fullmetal Alchemist stars Ryosuke Yamada, Tsubasa Honda and Dean Fujioka. Directed by Jon Shenk and Bonni Cohen, climate change documentary An Incovenient Sequel, which features former US Vice President Al Gore, premiered at this year’s Sundance.

In addition, TIFF will screen highlights from Chen Kaige’s upcoming Legend Of The Demon Cat as a ‘Special Opening Presentation’ at the festival’s opening ceremony.

Described as the biggest ever Japan-China co-production, the film tells the story of a Japanese Buddhist monk who visits Tang Dynasty China. Shota Sometani and Huang Xuan head the cast.

TIFF also announced 13 other titles in its Special Screenings section, including Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape Of Water, Toronto audience award winner Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Stephen Nomura Schible’s documentary Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda, about the Oscar-winning Japanese composer.

Japanese titles in the Special Screenings section include the world premieres of Keita Amemiya’s Garo Kaminokiba, Hiroshi Sugawara’s Shashin Koshien Summer In 0.5 Seconds and Masao Takeshita’s Midnight Bus.

TIFF also recently unveiled details of its annual Special Night Event at Kabukiza Theatre, which will feature a screening of the restored version of Teinosuke Kinugasa’s Gate Of Hell (Jigokumon) and a performance from renowned Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo.

Gate Of Hell won the Cannes Grand Prix in 1954 as well as Academy Awards for best foreign film and costume design.

The full line-up of the festival will be announced on September 26.