Osaka Asian Film Festival 2019
Opens with RANDEN: The Comings and Goings on a Kyoto Tram
The Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) has started this year’s run, its 14th, with an opening ceremony packed with guests and film fans at the Hankyu Umeda Hall on March 08, 2019.
Moderator: FM OH! KOBAYAKAWA Hideki (小早川秀樹)
KAMIKURA Tsuneyuki (上倉庸敬), the Chairperson of the Osaka Executive Committee for the Promotion of Moving Image Culture
The evening launched with a star-studded appearance from some of the festival’s many guests who took to the stage at the opening ceremony in order to greet the assembled audience. Led by ZHANG Lu (張律), director of the Korean film “Ode to the Goose” the big names on the night included directors and a selection of their cast and crew.
LIM Kah-wai (林家威) returned to Osaka following the recording of his latest Balkan adventure, “Somewhen, Somewhere” (いつか、どこかで) while AYABE Shinya (綾部真弥) is presenting his latest film, “The Peers” (ピア～まちをつなぐもの～). KAWAZOE Bilal (川添ビイラル) of “WHOLE” brought lead actors KAWAZOE Usman (川添ウスマン) and Kai Sandy (海・星野・サンディー) and director KISHIMOTO Tsukasa (岸本司) of “Okinawan Blue” (ココロ、オドル) was accompanied on stage by his film’s star, Shogen (尚玄). Hong Kong’s Maisy Goosy SUEN (孫明希) of “A Woman is a Woman” (女人就是女人) was joined by her film’s producer Mimi WONG (黄欣琴) and one of the lead actress’ Tomo KELLY (黄家恒), and they were then joined by actress OTSUKA Nanaho (大塚奈々穂) from the film “Jeux de plage” (浜辺のゲーム). The final guests were SUZUKI Takuji (鈴木卓爾) of the festival’s opening film “RANDEN: The Comings and Goings on a Kyoto Tram” (嵐電) who was joined on stage by three of his cast: IURA Arata (井浦新), ONISHI Ayaka (大西礼芳) and KANAI Hiroto (金井浩人).
(from left) KANAI Hiroto, IURA Arata, ONISHI Ayaka, SUZUKI Takuji, OTSUKA Nanaho, LIM Kah-wai, AYABE Shinya
(from left) Kai Sandy, Shogen, KAWAZOE Usman, KAWAZOE Bilal, KISHIMOTO Tsukasa, Maisy Goosy SUEN, Mimi WONG, Tomo KELLY、ZHANG Lu
Zhang LU, the highly-respected indie film director, spoke on behalf of the guests and went on to comment “I would like to first of all express my sincerest gratitude for inviting this film to the Osaka Asian Film Festival. This is my first visit to the city. Over the last 10 years, I have visited Fukuoka for the Focus on Asia: Fukuoka Film Festival. I think I only visit new places only once every ten years. So if you like my film, I will be very happy to visit Osaka for the next ten years. I wish you much joy and happiness during this festival season.”
ONISHI Ayaka and KANAI Hiroto and more of the cast of “RANDEN: The Comings and Goings on a Kyoto Tram” as they went on to introduce the opening film, a love letter to the city and people of Kyoto. In a lively talk with the announcers, they each touched upon what made the film special for them as well as the way it blurred fantasy and reality.
KANAI Hiroto
ONISHI Ayaka
KANAI Hiroto said, “In the story, fantasy suddenly appears in the real world. When I first read the script, I got sucked into the story because of the atmosphere so I want the audience to feel the same way I did. There are three different types of love story so I think the film is about appreciating people.”
When asked for her comment ONISHI Ayaka replied, “I spent four years in university in Kyoto and there are lots of memories all over the place for me so I was very happy shooting there. While shooting, I realised I love Kyoto more now than when I was a student.”
IURA Arata
SUZUKI Takuji
IURA Arata, who returns to Osaka following OAFF 2015 Opening Film “Asleep” (白河夜船), warmly greeted the audience and said “This is the world premiere so I hope everyone will enjoy this film. I want to introduce the actors who are students of SUZUKI’s at Kyoto University of Art and Design’s Department of Film Production. My treasure from making this film was in working with them.” Much to the audience’s delight, each of the young cast members stepped forward and introduced themselves.
When asked for his comment director SUZUKI replied, “I hope everyone enjoys our screening. Everyone has a different impression of the film so please let us know. I want everyone to Tweet their impression and tell others.”
His parting words to the audience were a reminder of the unique opportunity afforded to them thanks to film festivals.
“Because of the Osaka Asian Film Festival, there are lots of films from all across Asia on screen. Normally we don't have an opportunity to see films from other Asian countries, so please watch the other films. This opportunity is a rare one to see films made by people expressing their lives. Through these films, audiences will touch these lives and will have unforgettable memories. Of course, I want you to see RANDEN but please watch the other films.”
